Lowering the voting age in NSW from 18 to 16 would force law makers to listen to young people about key issues affecting their lives and help stop a trend towards scapegoating youth for a range of social problems, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
Mr Cohen introduced a Private Members Bill into NSW Parliament today to qualify 16 year-olds to vote but not make it compulsory until the current age of 18.
“If young people were given some power to be involved in decisions made about them, better laws would result.
“This might just help reduce some of the alienation, which the political exclusion of young people currently causes. Giving youth a voice would help end misconceptions that social problems, such as drug use and crime, are somehow their fault.
“It seems absurd that in this country a person cannot vote until they are 18 but at 16 they can leave school and home, learn to drive, take up full-time work, pay tax, have children, defend and die for their country.”
Mr Cohen said arguments from opponents, such as young people do not have enough knowledge or understanding of politics, were baseless.
“The arguments against young people voting are the same arguments that were used in the past to justify why women and indigenous people should not have the right to vote.
“Just as these arguments are not about the ability of a particular gender or race of people, they are not particular to 16-year-olds.”
Mr Cohen said a trend towards lowering the voting age was occurring in other states and countries.
“In Canada, a similar move to lower the voting age to 16 has received multi-partisan support and seems likely to happen. 16 year-olds can vote in Cyprus and Brazil, while in Scotland and Germany they can vote in municipal and community council elections.”
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
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