Young Queenslanders win their consumer rights

Queensland students have showcased their creative talents to promote important consumer and financial messages for the 2008 Buy Smart competition.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine praised the creativity of the entrants at today’s 2008 Buy Smart competition award ceremony.

“The Buy Smart competition challenges students to invent fun and creative ways to spread important financial and consumer messages,” Mr Shine said.

“This year’s entries were very creative and I was impressed with the imaginative use of different media to fulfil the judges’ requirements.”

Mr Shine said this year over 400 students from 41 schools across Queensland entered the competition.

“It’s great that so many teachers and parents see the importance of teaching young people these important financial literacy skills,” he said.

“This year’s entrants have truly risen to the creative challenge set by the Buy Smart competition and learnt some important lessons along the way.“

Mr Shine said that many young people did not understand the consequences of running up high debts.

“Credit cards and mobile phones present many dangers to people who don’t know how to use them responsibly.

“It can be difficult to explain that bad debts lead to problems later in life and can effect applications for home or car loans.

“So the Buy Smart competition challenges school students to work out the best ways of informing other young people about these issues.

“This year’s entrants have demonstrated an excellent knowledge of fair trading topics and displayed an excellent grasp of financial literacy principles.”

Mr Shine said the current economic conditions were a timely reminder to all people on the importance of budgeting and developing strong consumer skills.

“With the current credit crunch it is important for not only young people, but for everyone to develop financial literacy skills,” he said.

“Buy Smart gives us the opportunity to teach young people these skills while encouraging their creativity.

“I hope they take what they’ve learnt and apply it as they start to earn and spend money of their own.”

For a full list of this year’s winners visit www.getoutthere.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874



Background

This year’s winners:

Category years 3-4

Third prize - Maddison King, Yeppoon State School

Second prize - Connor Walsh, Sam Gaffney, Darcie Marshall, Lydia Spratley, Haylee Crotty, Taylor Mildenhall of Kurwongbah State Primary School

First prize - Raman Subbarethinam, Whitfield State School

Category years 5-7

Highly commended - Gemma Cusack, Sydnee Baskettm and Heidi Laffin from Winton State School

Third prize - Iesha Stuart Calen from District State School

Second prize - Shania Dekkers from Rockhampton Grammar

First prize - Grace Lawrence from St Joseph's Parish School

Category years 8-9

Highly commended - Francesca Richeaux and Whitney Pollard from Sunshine Beach State High School

Ashley Cannon and Jessica Garner-Foote from Emmanuel College

Third prize - Amber Reid and Chi Nguyen from Westside Christian College

Second prize - Angelica Apelt and Belle Hetherington from Concordia Lutheran

First prize - Sukhjot Garcha and Gunjot Singh from Corpus Christi College

Category years 8-9

Highly commended - Lauren Fitzpatrick from Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Kathleen Smith, Alexandra Kearney and Kiran Raj from Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Gloria Hsu Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Third prize - Sophie Storie, Clarissa Wilson and Sarah Norton from Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Second prize - Amy Scarlett, Leanne Vo and Katie Drummond from Brisbane Girls Grammar School

First prize - Priscilla Lu, Jess Lam and Amelia Tsikelas from Brisbane Girls Grammar School