Economic Policy
Is Nuclear the future for Australia?
With 32 countries around the world generating power via nuclear energy, and nuclear deemed by many to be the safest form of power generation why is Australia continuing to hold off and what are the solutions?
Environmental Policy
Access to National Parks and State Forests
We question how locking people out of national parks and state forests and imposing draconian rules is sensible. Why can’t we educate people under a management regime that not only increases access but protects the environment?
Public Policy
For the first time ever, Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers at the federal election
Did you know, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers at the ballot boxes this year (2025).
The younger cohort together make up 7,718,208 votes while Baby Boomers comprise 5,871,342, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
Gen X, which falls between the two, accounts for 4,350,268 votes. It’s precisely why we set up YAM. It’s time to take charge of YOUR future.
Environmental Policy
Are marine parks one big lie?
Australia has the largest network of marine parks globally. We’ve locked up over 42% of our ocean and as we’ve seen in South Australia, marine life is still dying. Is there a better solution to taking terrestrial based paradigms (national parks) and laying them over the ocean in the name of conservation?
Source: Nuclear for Australia
Economic Policy
Why are small business failing in record numbers?
Australia is experiencing record numbers of small businesses failing. Costs are rising and many young Australians have given up on their dreams. So is there a solution?
Art / Music Policy
Time to support LIVE GIGS!
Live events, festivals, gigs etc find it hard to be viable primarily due to rules, regulations and rising costs. The Tasmanian Liberal Government have set up their own insurance company due to rising costs. Can this same approach be adopted to support live gigs? We believe it can and we’ll explain why.
We have so much info that will change your perception on renewables and nuclear policy.
Read our post on micro-power generation CLICK
Does Indigenous Australia have a role to play? CLICK
Tim Gregory - Nuclear Scientist on Nuclear in Australia CLICK
What about the role of local governments and communities? CLICK
Who are Australia’s top three energy providers? CLICK
Virginia "Ginny" Oliver is 105 years old and she still works on lobster boats. Ginny was born on June 6, 1920, and started working on lobster boats at just 8 years old. Now, she still heads out onto Penobscot Bay in Maine three days a week. She even hauls lobster traps with her nearly 80‑year‑old son Max, and he proudly works alongside his legendary mom.
Ginny and her late husband raised four children. They bought their home on the same street where she was born, and today her grandchildren still love visiting her house. Every Sunday night, the family gathers to enjoy her famous homemade baked beans, cakes, donuts, and brownies.
She doesn’t plan on retiring though. When her doctor asked why she still lobsters, she laughed and said, "Because I want to." She also said, "You're not gonna live forever, so why let it bother you?" Ginny is doing what she loves the most. Without even trying, she's inspiring so many other people to keep going and stay active.
In Australia, we’ve locked up 48% of our ocean and argued that Ginny destroyed it. And yet we have the best managed fisheries in the world.
IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE. CLICK
It was under Robert Menzies that Australia entered the nuclear age with the opening of the Lucas Heights Reactor in 1958.
65 years on, what looked to be the first step in a much bigger story remains practically the only step Australia has taken towards harnessing the potency of the atom to power our nation.
As nuclear energy once again appears on the political radar, it is worth taking a look back and seeing what potential Australians once saw in nuclear and what could have been.
The attached Afternoon Light podcast, Robert Menzies Institute has CEO Georgina Downer talking to Dr Michael de Percy about how Menzies represents Australia’s unrealised nuclear potential.
Nuclear Power Is Our Best Hope to Ditch Fossil Fuels | Isabelle Boemeke | TED
Transport Policy
Getting REAL with transport.
If we are so committed to reducing emissions, why is motorcycle registration not free? Perhaps it’s because Governments make $ from the fuel excise? Similarly, why is public transport not free? We delve deep into the why and provide a raft of sensible solutions.
Don’t just follow….QUESTION
How fear of nuclear power is hurting the environment | Michael Shellenberger
Nuclear Energy: The Facts
Economic Policy
Housing Affordability
There is a lot of talk around housing affordability and yet young Australians are still being priced out of the market. Governments are advocating cheap kit homes but that’s not the solution.
Economic Policy
Free University
University was free in Australia between 1974 - 1989. Why can university not be free today or at least follow the medicare system and be financially viable for young Australians whilst maintain the highest international standards?
Policy Portfolios
Agriculture
The Ag environment is as complex as it is riddled with division and political in-fighting. From drought relief, nutrient run-off into the Great Barrier Reef from sugar cane farms, through to water entitlements throughout the Murray Darling, we’ll simplify and make sense of it all - topic by topic.
Environment
Perhaps the hardest and most impossible policy portfolio to get right, given the amount of money spent to convince people something is or isn’t happening, is environment. Add to this the emotion surrounding decisions. But, we have a good crack and diluting what is a vitally important policy area for our existence on this planet and your future.
Housing Affordability
The Post Fordism period in Australian history was the golden era for housing affordability and yet we’ve moved so far away from those dreams and aspirational times. So far in fact, that a majority of 20 year olds today will find it hard to ever buy a home. We make sense of what’s going on and provide a raft of thought provoking solutions.
Small and Medium Business
Small and medium businesses (SMEs) are the life blood of the economy and employ an overwhelming majority of the total workforce. But what are the challenges facing SMEs, why do policies often miss the mark, and what are potential game changing policy solutions for the sector?
Economics - Manufacturing
Politicians talk a lot about Australia making ‘stuff’ and yet the evidence suggests our manufacturing potential is decreasing at an alarming rate. Is this the case, what policies have failed, what policies should have been pushed harder and why do other countries do it so much better than Australia?
Economics - Corporate and Tax
If the GST is a regressive tax - that is, the more you spend the more tax you pay - why do we not have a 16% flat income tax like some countries, thereby ensuring people have more money each week in which to spend and save? All valid questions we explore amidst a broader debate and analysis around tax reform.
First Nations
When it comes to policy, emotion often clouds what is or is not really happening on the ground. This then affects how policy is designed and ultimately implemented. Yes the First Nations policy environment is vexatious - but what policy environment isn’t? And contrary to all the negativity, some NGOs are doing some exceptional work.
There is more!
Click on the pages you’re interested in. We date stamp everything and so only place the most relevant analysis up-front. Enjoy the journey. We genuinely hope to inspire you, teach you to see the political and media environment differently and be energised to stay committed to finding solutions to the issues you find important. And remember: we are a movement for young Australians.
How is policy designed, structured and implemented?
Policy is a science. We study it at school and in universities. It’s a complex stand-alone field, that is often diluted by various actors who have influence, power or motive. We elect politicians in essence to be the ‘policy actors’. They guide, shape and design policy - rightly or wrongly - and move on to allow others to take their place. Ultimately they control what we call the ‘policy cycle’. It’s this cycle YAP focusses on. Why? because when you understand the cycle you understand better why we are not delivering outcomes in key areas.
Before you delve into the analysis, take some time to read our POLICY 101 page. We guarantee that after you do, you will never view the political system and the word ‘POLICY’ the same again.