Canberra teenagers could be required to vote in ACT elections under a new bill being considered by the Legislative Assembly.
The Assembly’s Justice and Community Safety Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 and is calling for feedback on the proposal to lower the voting age from 18 years to 16.
Chair of the Committee, Jeremy Hanson MLA said he looked forward to hearing what Canberrans thought about the voting age.
“This is a valuable opportunity for community views to inform the Assembly debate on this Bill,” Mr Hanson said.
According to the Bill’s Explanatory Statement, it sought to increase young people’s political engagement and political relevance.
“In 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission found that people under the age of 18 feel they have no voice in society,” the Statement says.
“The Report found that young people were frustrated about their lack of ability to participate in politics and about social structures that diminish their agency,” it says.
“The Whitlam Institute (a public policy research foundation) also recommended that Governments must urgently address the barriers to the engagement of young people in political systems and institutions to strengthen Australian democracy.”
It says that under the Bill, 16 and 17 year olds would be subject to the same voting entitlements, compulsory enrolment and compulsory voting as people aged 18 years and older.
It says however that 16 and 17 year olds would only be required to pay half the normal penalty fees for failing to enrol to vote, failing to transfer their enrolment or neglecting to vote.
Mr Hanson said people could have a say on lowering the voting age until 28 January by making a submission or until 7 February by completing a survey.
He said the Committee would conduct a public hearing on 3 February and report back to the Assembly by 3 March, for the Bill to be debated.
Further information about the proposed Bill, including how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
