For years, Australian politicians have expressed support for extending voting rights to those aged 16 and 17 in local, state, and federal elections. A similar proposal was debated in Parliament in 2018 but ultimately did not pass. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has recently reformed its electoral system, permitting anyone aged 16 and over to vote in upcoming general elections, albeit without compulsory voting.
The question arises: what implications would it have if Australia allowed an additional cohort of young Australians to partake in the democratic process? Advocates for reform are now calling for modifications to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984. Independent member Monique Ryan from Kooyong has stated that recent changes in the UK should be a “strong impetus” for similar reforms in Australia. She argues that as nations with shared values, Australia should consider adopting practices that promote a fair and inclusive democratic process.
Ryan intends to introduce a private member’s bill to reduce the voting age and has plans to advocate for it alongside the youth-led campaign “Make it 16”, which seeks to see the voting age lowered universally for all Australian elections. This movement gained traction following indications of support from Labour Party members, who had previously shown openness to the idea before discussions stalled in 2018 over whether voting should be compulsory for younger voters.
Ryan highlighted the political engagement of teenagers, noting that early participation tends to foster greater civic involvement. The Youth Action and Policy Association of New South Wales points out that individuals under 18 contribute substantially to income tax revenue, indicating their stake in governmental decisions.
Historically, the voting age in Australia has been reduced before; in 1973, it was lowered from 21 to 18 amid discussions about youth contributions to society, particularly in contexts of military service. Opponents to lowering the age often cite concerns about political maturity, with some arguing that young individuals may lack sufficient understanding of political systems to cast informed votes.
Despite these drawbacks, Ryan remains committed to pushing forward with the bill, encouraging an inclusive approach to democracy that reflects the interests of younger Australians. As she prepares to raise this proposal in the newly commenced 48th Parliament, the debate around the voting age continues, bringing to the forefront questions about representation, maturity, and engagement in the electoral process.