Greens call for optional lower voting age. The Vote …

The Tasmanian Greens will move in Parliament this week to give 16 and 17 year old Tasmanians the option to participate in democracy by voting in elections.

Announcing the move as part of National Youth Week, Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said it was hoped that the reform could be in place in time for the 2014 state election.

“Currently sixteen year olds can work, pay taxes, use a firearm, get arrested, join the army, have children, get behind the wheel of a car and live on their own but they are prevented from voting in an election,” Mr McKim said.

“It makes no sense that young Tasmanians can work a job and be taxed like anyone else, but then have no say in how those taxes are spent.”

“It sends the wrong message to young people that their input into democracy is not valued, and that their views on public policies that affect them cannot be trusted.”

“It has been a long held position of the Greens that there should be a voluntary option for our community minded and engaged 16 and 17 year olds to choose to enrol to vote.”

“Once they have made that choice and enrolled, it would be expected that current compulsory voting requirements would apply.”

“I will be tabling a motion in the House of Assembly this week calling for the measure to be in place in time for the next state election, expected in March 2014.”

“Countries including Austria, Argentina and Brazil already give sixteen year olds the right to vote, and there are similar moves underway in the United Kingdom.”

“If Labor and Liberal come on board this proposal, we could have the reform in place in time for the 2014 state election.”

“This is about strengthening our democracy by enfranchising thousands of smart, politically aware young Tasmanian adults the option to meaningfully participate in our democracy.”

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