Growing up in the remote terrain of Golden Plains Shire, I was starkly aware of the dwindling opportunities available to me compared to my peers in metropolitan locales like Melbourne. A grueling three-hour commute to Melbourne (both ways) made every venture seem futile, even when my voice ought to have been heard in youth councils. This ingrained in me a perpetual quest to bring about change, to ensure that businesses effectively uphold their social corporate responsibility. 

Social corporate responsibility is premised on the assertion that businesses should act in a manner that significantly further the societal welfare. Yet, in my experience, the big corporations have been shunning this obligation, contributing to the phenomenon of 'youth-washing'. In the Australian context, this term refers to the minimal effort put in by corporations to address the accessibility issues of regional and marginalized youth.

Statistics reveal that roughly 27% of Australia's population lives in rural regions (source: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications). But corporate reach into these regions remains disturbingly low, exacerbating the divide between urban and regional youth.

Far too many business organisations don't provide remote internships, and when they do, there's a noticeable absence of social interaction, networking opportunities, and the capacity for a young person to develop their skill set. It is not appropriate to abandon young people who reside in rural areas and are unable to commute. Strong change is required.

This petition seeks to increase corporate accountability and transparency, and establish robust regulations governing social corporate responsibility. Ultimately, it aims to initiate a much-needed power shift, empowering Australian regional youth and remedying the status-quo of youth-washing.

Join me now, sign this petition, and let's together forge a future where no young soul in Australia feels left behind for living in remote and marginalized communities. Your signature can make a massive difference.

Ellie Mueller is the CEO and Founder of Youth Power Shift Australia; a movement dedicated to shifting the power dynamic and breaking the cycle of youth-washing to create a democracy that empowers all of us.