Greens candidate for Denison, Anna Reynolds, wants to mark 2013 National Youth Week as the year we start electoral reform to allow all Australian citizens over the age of 16 to vote.

Anna Reynolds is writing to the Tasmanian Children’s Commissioner and the Electoral Commissioner, urging consultation with Tasmanian young adults and the broader community about lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 years. The consultation could help spark a community discussion and feed ideas into a national reform process.

“Young adults are curious and enthusiastic about the world. Giving more young people the vote increases their engagement with politics and public life and gives them a voice on Australia’s future.”

“At sixteen young people can leave home, work, pay tax and join the defence force. It’s time we had a discussion with young people and the community about lowering the voting age”, she said.

“Around the world a number of countries, including Scotland, are moving to allow 16 and 17 year olds a vote. East Timor and Indonesia have set the voting age at 17, and Austria, Argentina and Brazil already have a minimum age of 16.”

“Voluntary enrolment and voting for 16 and 17 year-olds has been Greens’ policy since the 1990s.” said Ms Reynolds.

The aims of National Youth Week are to provide young people a forum for their views, and the community an opportunity to listen to them.

Anna Reynolds said that governments, from local to national, are less inclined to hear the voices of young people when they don’t have a vote, and the inclusion of their views would improve the development and implementation of laws, policies, and plans.

For the last six months, she has been running an online consultation project called “BRIGHT IDEAS”, seeking young people’s ideas about policies for Hobart.

“The survey asked for young people’s ideas on how to make Hobart an even better place to live. It has provided me with several really useful ideas for policies and initiatives.”

“Ideas like more street art would help to create a more vibrant atmosphere. Roof gardens and community gardens, and better public transport between the city and the suburbs, would create jobs and healthy lifestyles.”

“Young people have great ideas for our city, and there should be more commitment from all decision-makers to hear these views and involve young people in the democratic process.”
Anna Reynolds Greens Candidate for Denison