Mature Minor Voting
 

Mr President, this morning I would like to bring to your attention the topic of voluntary voting for young people aged 16 and 17 years. As we are all well aware, Australia is a representative democracy, where all citizens 18 years and over have the right, and compulsory responsibility, to vote in elections.

 

It is acknowledged and appreciated that voting, albeit Local, State or Federal; affords individuals with a civic duty, right and privilege; a choice for representation, along with a collective power to affect change. 

 

Globally, ages to commence voting vary from 16 to 25 with both optional and compulsory requirements.  Whilst most nations choose 18 as a notional default, there are in fact Mr President, 9 countries that have a legal voting age of 16 and above.  

 

Mr President, I would like to focus on one of those countries in particular; Scotland. Mr President, Scotland initially made a one-off decision for those aged16 and 17 years to be included in the franchise for Scotland’s 2014 referendum on independence and, shortly thereafter continued for all Scottish elections.  Since then,16 and 17-year old’s have been allowed to vote in the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish local council elections.

 

A case study of ‘Votes-at-16’ undertaken in Scotland in 2021, provided evidence on the immediate effects of voting age reform on young people’s engagement with politics.  The study revealed a boost in confidence in a youth voice and led to a perceived increase in political efficacy and engagement.

 

Many young Scots said the introduction of ‘Votes-at-16’ gave them a voice to be heard; an opportunity to be taken seriously and a feeling that they had power to affect change. It was also found that the newly enfranchised voters developed higher levels of interest in politics that their non-enfranchised peers.  They learnt to form their own opinions, and to take responsibility for their political decisions.

 

Indeed, many of the decisions made today actually come into play two to three years down the track. With many issues of concern for all people including the mature minors, perhaps voluntary voting for a 16 and 17-year-old makes sense and would enhance and strengthen our democratic system.

 

Similarly, it is interesting to note that in Austria, after lowering their voting age, 16 and17-year-old’s felt an obligation to become more informed about politics and most of the responsibility for the provision of information was assigned to their education system.  A robust civic education can positively shape early voting experiences – as many of us in this place well know from those inspiring young people who take part and flourish in our Youth Parliament week.

 

Mr President, I and many of our Hon Colleagues in this place have always strongly supported Youth Parliament. We all gain so much from our engagement with these motivated and enthusiastic young people who will go on to be informed voters and advocates in our community. I would encourage all Hon Members to become involved in this year’s Tasmanian Youth Parliament experience, and with registrations now open I would encourage all Year 10, 11 and 12 students to apply.

 

Mr President, political citizenship in one’s formative years is found to be critical in the transition into an informed and autonomous adulthood.  With positive, salient foundations, early political engagement can have lasting effects. Australia’s young citizens today have many and diverse matters to consider and address such as social, economic and environmental issues, that deserve a fully inclusive and collective platform upon which to be heard. 

 

Voluntary electoral participation for 16 and 17 years old would provide an entirely appropriate method for them to be an active part of our democratic process.

 

It can be argued that young people bring a fresh perspective to the political climate, with nuanced ideas and an optimistic enthusiasm for the future of our nation. On several occasions, Australia has been at the forefront, internationally, of efforts to extend the franchise. 

 

This was the case with the push for women's suffrage in the late 1800s, and in 1973 more citizens obtained the right to participate in Australian elections when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 years old – this was four years after the UK did the same, so maybe it’s time for us to catch-up with Scotland once again.

 

Young people are our future leaders and, in my view, worthy of consideration for voting age reform.  Young people deserve an authentic voice in our nation’s democratic process and should be given a say in collectively shaping our Federal, State and Local Governments and, the policies, direction and ideals of our truly democratic nation.

 

Recently the Minister for Local Government, seemingly overnight, introduced compulsory voting for last year’s Local Government elections; with State elections currently scheduled for 2025 and Local Government elections in 2026 one hopes that Tasmania can be the first state to address the opportunity for voluntary voting for 16 and 17- year olds.

 

In conclusion Mr President, the provision of voluntary voting for 16 and 17-year-old would not only assist in shaping well-informed, empowered and active political citizens for our collective future, it could also lead to a more dynamically integrated society, and improved societal representation, both of which are critical for a healthy and flourishing democracy.