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Youth Policy

[Download as a PDF]

Adopted at Socialist Alliance's 7th National Conference, January 2010

Young people occupy a unique position in society. They face both formal and informal discrimination, as well as disproportionate social and political exclusion. They are often the first to be hit by, and are more affected by, homelessness and the housing crisis, violence, poverty, social exclusion, attacks on workers and students and other social problems.

But young people have the power to play a radicalising and explosive role in the struggle for a better world and it is from them that the socialist movement and the Socialist Alliance will be strengthened and renewed.

As such, the Socialist Alliance seeks to involve young people in the struggle for socialism.

To this end, the Socialist Alliance recognises the importance of the socialist youth organisation and affiliate Resistance. As an independent youth organisation, Resistance plays a specific and complimentary role in the struggle for socialism. It enables young people to work together and lead struggles around their own demands wherever these struggles take place, to acquire political and organisational responsibility and experience and learn their own lessons.

As such the Socialist Alliance is committed to working with and building Resistance among young people by:

Discussing youth work on the Socialist Alliance leadership bodies;

Collaborating with Resistance to work out initiatives, priorities and how we use our combined resources;

Supporting and working closely with Resistance members to assist in their political development; and

Encouraging Resistance members to join and get active in the Socialist Alliance

Young people should have access to the decisions that affect their lives. They should have opportunities to reach their full potential, free from exploitation, oppression and discrimination.

To this end, the Socialist Alliance also stands for:

A political voice for young people
No political process can be truly democratic without the direct input of young people. The Socialist Alliance calls for the lowering of the voting age to 16, to give greater formal equality to young people. At 16, young people are considered old enough to pay taxes. However, they are currently excluded from having any say in how that money is spent.
To fully combat the formal and informal discrimination faced by young people however, the self-organisation and mobilisation of young people themselves is needed. To this end, the Socialist Alliance stands for the provision of resources to democratically-controlled organisations of young people for young people. These resources should be provided directly to young people and organisations they control, and used to whatever ends these organisations see fit.
Affordable and accessible housing
Housing is a basic human right. Yet, the housing crisis affects thousands of people across Australia, and young people are among the worst affected. Indeed, youth homelessness is a major problem in Australia, with 44,500 young people going homeless every night, according to a 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics report.
But all people should have access to affordable and accessible housing. And addressing the problem of youth homelessness and the housing crisis among the young will have to be part of a broader solution to housing. The Socialist Alliance housing policy can be found at http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=208.
Mental wellbeing for young people
About 75% of diagnosed mental health problems occur before the age of 25. These mental health problems, including depression, are a major factor in a decision to commit suicide.
The Socialist Alliance calls for adequate funding for mental health services. This should include establishing specific multi-disciplinary youth mental health teams that cover the 16-24 year age range, to work across community youth and adult mental health services and across inpatient and community services. This already exists in some areas, for example EPPIC and Orygen youth health services in Melbourne. They are very effective at providing early intervention, assisting young people with mental health issues and preventing the development of chronic mental illness.
Without dedicated teams like this, early intervention does not happen in a generalised way. Mental health services are busy dealing with people who are very unwell, and turn young people away if they don’t present as too serious. Young people who do end up being admitted into hospital are often discharged with no follow-up care. A dedicated team could intervene before or during their hospital admission, and provided education and support during and after their discharge. Young people would be able to manage better and have a better chance of avoiding further admissions and episodes and of avoiding suicide and self-harm. Peer support workers and group programs also need to be funded and supported to this end.
The Socialist Alliance also stands for well-funded social awareness campaigns to raise understanding of the common mental illnesses, to break down stigma, improve understanding of what to watch out for and where to seek help, and assist with integrating people with mental illnesses into workplaces and communities.
A universal, free, quality secular education system
The vast majority of people engaged in formal education are young people. Thus, it is young people who will largely be affected by the dismantling of the public education system. And it is young people who will be the main actor in struggle for change in education, for a universal, free, quality secular education system, open to all those who need and want it.
The Socialist Alliance education policy can be found at http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=195.
Public space for young people
Inadequate public space infrastructure and activities exists to support the needs of young people. They are largely limited to activities and use of spaces that they must pay for or where they are the targets of aggressive corporate marketing. Even cultural events are used by corporations to positively project their brands at young people. The limited communal spaces that can be used by young people are, in large part, commercial spaces that encourage consumerism and commodity art or co-opt youth culture for commercial gain.
In order to create and participate in their own independent youth culture, public spaces, infrastructure and activities must be created, funded and made available to young people. This must happen independently to corporate sponsorship, be initiated and controlled democratically by young people and their organisations.
A safe climate future
Climate change will have a huge impact on the lives of all young people. They will face the consequences from decisions not of their making. However, young people are playing a leading role in the struggle for a safe climate future, helping to build a mass environment movement strong enough to win.
The full list of the Socialist Alliance’s environment and climate change policies can be found at http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=190
An end to violence and discrimination
Young people experience greater alienation as a result of discrimination and social and political exclusion. This discrimination does not only affect young people as young people, but among them. Discrimination that already exists in society is more intense among the young who are under increased pressure to “fit in”. Overt racism, sexism and homophobia, for example, are heightened among young people. Violence – that takes many different forms - is a direct product of this and it is the vulnerable who suffer most, such as young women, LGBTI people, and non-Anglo people.
The social pressures experienced by LGBTI youth hold particular significance reflected in the terrible statistic that LGTBI youth are 14 times more likely to commit suicide than non-LGBTI youth. One third of homeless youth are queer, and face life on the streets due to family prejudices and structures promoted by capitalism.
The Socialist Alliance recognises the heightened suffering and distress experienced by youth coming to terms with not being heterosexual in a capitalist system, that holds heterosexuality as the only natural and normal sexual preference.
We reject “law and order” solutions to youth violence. Jailing or punishing young people won’t stop or reduce violence because it doesn’t deal with the reasons it exists. We support educational campaigns but recognise that they aren’t, by themselves, enough. So too, must governments stop applying discriminatory policies that lay the social basis for violence and discrimination to occur. So all discriminatory laws must be repealed whether they apply to women, migrants, Aborigines, queers, international students etc.
Ultimately, however, the broader problem of alienation under capitalism, caused by the separation of people from the decisions that affect their lives and the socially owned products of their work, must be addressed, to put an end to violence and discrimination.
Newstart and Youth Allowance
Newstart and Youth Allowance benefits should be raised to a living wage, well above the poverty line. Age should not affect payments and the age of independence test should be lowered to 16 years, the age at which a young person can move away from home. No young person in Australia should have to live in poverty while they are looking for work or while they are studying. This policy must be combined with government creation of satisfying jobs at a living wage, available for all.
Satisfying jobs at a living wage
Youth unemployment and underemployment is a structural problem of the capitalist economy. The percentage of unemployed young people sits at about double the rate of the rest of the population at any given time. Those young people who can find work are largely employed in casual, insecure and low-paid jobs. These factors ensure that young people are less likely to look for work and have a major impact on young people’s standard of living and ability to afford basic necessities.
That young workers are currently disadvantaged comes, in part, from the lack of organisation in their workplaces. The Socialist Alliance believes that unions should pay special attention to involving young people in their unions and also play a role in ensuring that wage justice is achieved for young people.
If the market is unable to provide young people with work and a living wage, the government should step in and provide socially useful jobs for young people on full pay. For example, the biggest problem we face is the climate crisis. The government should implement a sustainability plan that creates jobs to meet the needs of communities and makes an inhabitable planet possible.
The Socialist Alliance also stands for an end to youth pay rates. Youth wages mean that young people get paid less for doing the same of work. The employment situation of youth is amongst the worst of any social group in capitalist society. Coupled with discriminatory and unliveable youth wages is the systematic violation of the employment rights of young people. This includes abuse and intimidation, provision of false information about work rights, unpaid training and overtime, illegal pay rates and docking of pay, and unsafe working environments. Working life of young people should be a national scandal. Young people need stronger union representation, particularly in the retail and services sectors. The Socialist Alliance fights for the rights of youth at work, active and strong support for young workers by unions, the independent organisation of youth to defend and extend their rights, and strong sanctions on employers who violate young people’s rights at work.
Scrap ‘Earn or Learn’
In May 2009, PM Kevin Rudd announced “earn or learn”, a policy that all Australian youth under the age of 21 would be denied Youth Allowance and unemployment benefits unless they are in school or in full-time vocational training.
The Socialist Alliance rejects this as discriminatory and recognises that this threat of poverty will not benefit young people. Rather, it is a strategy that blames young people for the failings of the capitalist economy, and trains them for a role in the system that is not of their choosing. “Earn or learn” restricts the freedom of young people to make decisions for themselves. It places thousands of disadvantaged youth in an untenable position.
It also fails to tackle the fundamental causes of youth unemployment: homelessness and domestic problems, alienation, discrimination, mental illness, lack of rights at work and lack of jobs.

add a comment to this page

There are 73 comments on this article

By Nick

Why would you want the voting age to be lowered to 16. This would be giving too much responsibility to a minor. Many 18 year olds don't follow politics closely and simply vote for whoever their parents do. What reasons do you have for lowering the voting age? If you wish to lower the age then at least give a decent reason.

By Chad

Depends if voting is compulsory or not. If voting is not compulsory, lowered age would give more opportunity to politically aware minors, with no real drawback. If voting and voting registration were compulsory and the age lowered, I feel this would simply increase the number of poorly informed votes being cast.

By Whitey

If as Chad suggests voting was not compulsory, as in the US, we would have a worse situation. Large parts of the Aus. population would just not vote ever, as Aussies are a very lazy bunch. Just look at the sept 5 student walkouts. not as many students showed as were expected, and the main reason many students from my school did not go was laziness or not caring/knowing about any political issues. you would have groups essentially bribeing others into voting there way. even the SA could bully and bribe its U18 members to vote a certain way. this could lead to some very un-democratic situations. how many 16 yr olds actually want to vote? i for one do but i know that there are about hundreds who couldnt give a toss. rather play rugby/get high/barbecue.

By bob

yay
!

By Brad

It would be a good way for high school students to be properly represented. Currently politicians concentrate only on the grey vote, baby boomers, young people are ignored and it would be a good way to broaden the base to put pressure on issues affecting the soon to be nations future

By John

Those voters at 18 years of age have no real understanding of the impacts of policy, why would 16 year olds be any different?

By luke

Some young people would really like a say on who is running our country. I think it should be optional for 16 and 17 year olds to vote. We have to pay taxs, we can get marrid, drive and are fully responsible for our actions in the eyes of the law by the age of 16 so why the hell can't we vote.

By mike

I will still be 17 on November 24. I have a much greater interest in politics than the vast majority of the 18 year olds I know. I am entering the workforce at the same time my 18-year-old counterparts are, I am influenced by all the same policies, and yet I have no say.

A voting age of 16 is important.

By luke

There isn't an instantaneous transformation from childhood to adulthood and voting can make it an evolving process. I propose that reducing the voting age means more education about democracy and politics in schools and that there be a three year phase-in period. Why should the Government be able to take tax from young people without them having a say?

By Bruno

I believe that from the very beginning the human mind has been evolving and becoming more intelligent and physically focused.
The average Teen therefore maybe much more educated thanks to the I.T. age which would and could have increased their level interest compared to their parents if at the same age.

Short story long average maybe more intelligent then average teen of 20-30 years ago.

By Shalla

once you reach 7th grade you should be able to vote

By monique

hi my name is monique and for my school work i am dointg an oral presantation on the voting age and i agree with people that they should change the age of voting to 16

By big mac @ maccas

is there any one who is 18 saying on this page so how can we say for 18 year olds?

By Kershia

The voting age definately should not be lowered to 16. I think they're still too young to understand how to vote properly at 16. Most 16 year olds are too busy partying and drinking alcohol to be interested in politics. And what is so wrong with the current voting age right now? There's only two years difference between 16 and 18!

By Mitchell

I am 18 and I definitely think I should've been able to vote at 16. However, not as a compulsary vote at that stage.

By Kelisha

The voting age should be changed beacause I have a voice and want to be able to use it

By jac

i think that the idea of lowering the voting age to 16 should diffidently be considered they face the same issue as an 18 year old and many time are more interested then the 18 year old counterparts so fueling that interest is not a bad thing at all

By jen

@ kershia
i don't think what you are saying is fair. not every 16 year old drinks and parties all the time. i for one don't and nor do my friends. i think under 16 should have to opportunity to vote.

By Jesse

I agree, not all 16 year olds are irresponsible. And it would also give minors an opportunity to gain some responsility. If 16 year olds can have a job, why can't they vote?

By ruby

I'm 15 and i dont think lowering the age to 16 would make a difference since most 16 year-olds have no idea about politics, especially what parties support what policies. Greater awarness would do more good than lowering the age. Why? - it wouldnt change anything. Age has nothing to do with it, its about ignorance and misinformation, growing up rarely causes mind change anyway.

By joel

im 16, and many of us have informed political views, i believe if it was implemented you would see a marked change in the political spectrum towards the left.

By Nanda

What would be the point of changing it to 16? That would simply move the bounsary by a couple of years. There would still be a disenfranchised underclass of people who are subject to the government's laws but do not have a say in electing the government. Minors are subject to the criminal law and if they vote they have to pay tax. Not allowing them to vote is a contravention of the well known international human rights law principles of universal suffrage and no taxation without representation.

The vote should be extended to all people, not just 16 and 17 year olds.

By jb

It should be lowered futher. The issue with the franchise shouldn't be how well "informed" someone decides a certain group of people are. That's rank elitism and ageism. People who are affected by decisions of government should have a say over the composition of that government, period.

The franchise should be extended from about age 12-13, when critical capacities are starting to form and literacy skills are mostly developed. If 13 year-olds aren't informed about politics, govt, and the world, well, let's change our education system so that they are. Their futures are affected just as much as a 16 year-old's future is being affected. They are subject to laws, they are subject to education policy and they are subject to future economic and social policy. They should be able vote.

By ngkjhgnh

i think 16 should vote and the voting age shold be lowered. we are learning about this in skool. and we do do student counsels and stuff like that so we should try it

By Bernie

I'm not opposed to lowering the voting age but i agree with Nick that even at 18 way too many Australians are ill informed or simply go with their family's flow. Is there an assumption that younger voters will boost Left votes generally? I'm not so sure. I think the spread of votes by 16 year olds would match closely those by 18 year olds... follow the parents.

By Jerem Clark

I believe the voting age should stay as it is, just because you have the ability to lower the age it does not mean you should. At 16 you may have a political view but for the majority of 16 year olds who may or not work or pay taxes they have no understanding of the financial burdon that the policys they support can have on other people. You must earn the right to shape the nation.

By Bobbi

No I think the voting age should not be lowered for many reasons. 1. Its too much of a resposability. 2. they don't pay taxes. and 3. we don't need any more votes in the world we have enough!

By echo

if "16 year olds" are old enough to drink the water polluted by the indstries that you regulate and if " " are old enough to breathe the air that you pollute and if " " are old enough to go to school that you under underfund then why the hell cant we vote?

By David

If the voting age was to be lowered to 16 it would be a great thing for minors like me and other politically aware students. This will only work if the voting for minors is not compulsory, because, although i hate to say this, most students my age would not know what democracy was, except that, "Isn't it like a thing where like people like vote?"
I'm serious people. But for me and my other leftist friends thios would be a great step as we cannot do anything but complain aboput the state of society and if we suggest something in our community, who cares? Not, the politicians, because we can't vote. Im sick of being someone with ideals, and not have the basic right to vote.

By Rufus Coffield-Feith

David is most correct, I too am a minor and feel my lack of a vote. National Politics as well as Australian history should be compulsory incorporated into sylabus in all Australian schools before the end of year 10. We live in this country, should we also not know how to be part? i.e. how and why to vote.....

By andrea

i think that if you are able to have a job and have to pay taxes, then you should absolutely be allowed to vote. i'm not saying that every 16 year old should vote, but atleast those who wanted to could.

By Lancelord

I think the 16-year-olds could definitely be able to vote : how can anyone say that youth will only make bad choices? How could anyone know? I just turned 16 and wouldn't vote (i'm not interested in politic) but that's just me, you can't say one thing for every 16-year-olds! We're not just a bunch of alcoholics always partying, are we?

By Laura

I agree with both David and Rufus. I have just turned 16, very interested in politics and current issues and would love to have the option of voting at election. However, I was still 15, when Kevin Rudd was voted in and will be over 18 by the next election, so the new law won't really affect me. Many of you said how 18 year old's don't care and just vote the way of their parents. To combat this, I think the COMPULSORY voting age should be raised to 21, when many are more interested in politics then when they were 18. However, I also think voting should be OPTIONAL for intelligent, socially aware 16 to 20 year olds who want to have a say on the policy which they live by.

By Cara

I'm in the 9th grade. In English class we are having to write persuasive papers. I got the topic, "Should the voting age be lowered" Although I am only 15, I don't think it should be lowered. For several reasons. Your 16, not mature enough to make a decision for your country.
If you think it should be lowered, thats you.
I personally think it should stay at 18. If you lower the voting age, whats next? Trying to lower the drinking age? Trying to lower the driving age? Who really wants to see a 14-year-old on the road?? Not me!

By Shelly

he voting age was 21, then it was 18, now they want it to be 16. next 14 year olds will be saying 'why cant we vote??" then 12 year olds will be saying 'thats not fair i want to vote too!!' the voting age is 18 and that's what it should say

By Sam

Many people on this page are suggesting the majority of the people und the 16 to 18 year old bracket do not give a fuck about who is in power.

As a 15 year old not only do I find this accusation completely wrong I also find it quite insulting. The amount of people aged 18 - 21 who don’t care who is in power… who vote for Kevin Rud and the labour government because he was funny on rove is actually quite disturbing…

The problem with miss education on the political area in Australia Is a problem that has been there ever since it was made compulsory to vote.

People from ages 16 to 18 have allot to offer the world. for example no one can give a better analysis on the education system, especially considering that year 12 VCE student are given a marginally better education in there final year. Not to mention the changes that could be made in the space of two years.

Therefore, can someone tell me what is the difference between a 16 year old and a 18 year old. in more then not cases neither would have full time jobs? one would probably be in high school and one MAY be experiencing the joys of a gap year.

The summary of the situation with this debate should not be, under 16s should not vote because they MAY not educated enough. it should be:

Under 110 year olds should not be able to vote because they MAY not be educated enough.

People should not be allowed to express there political opinions because they MAY not be educated enough.

Kevin Rud should not be allowed in power because he MAY not be educated enough.

There should only be one leader in Australia who shall not be democratically voted into power because everyone else MAY not be educated enough.

Aboriginals, Gays, Africans, Asians and youth should not be allowed to vote because they MAY not be educated enough.

Don’t anyone dare suggest that someone is not as worthy as them selves for a simple democratic right such as voting.

Peace out.
Sam Lynch.

By hanna banana

im 15
and i dont think it should be lowered.
i have no idea about polotics and all that stuff.
i have no doubts that some tenages are tuned in with all this political stuff, but i think youd find that 9 times out of 10, there not. voting is a responsibility, but i dont think we think its that big of deal, nick. i find that making sure i feed the dog in the morning is more responsibility that voting. If i forget to feed the dog, it could starve to death. Its not like if i vote for the wrong person there going to be voted in, the reast of australia has toi vota aswell. Im sure that the teens that are tuned in with all this would argue aggaints me because they want to take part in who leads them, but i and most of my friends have no intentions of voting, and its not compulsary so why bother. Peer pressure can play a huge role in thig issure aswell. say at the last election i chose to vote for jhon howard, but my friend was voting for his oppisition. My friend might say that the person im voting for isnt cool and if i vote for him im dumb, i understand that a true friend would respect my dicission, but were kids, we dont care. What the goverment do is up to them and i realy dont think we have any say, but when it comes to lowereing the age, i say NO! =)

By Sean

Voluntary yes, compulsary no. I'm 16 and feel that i have strong enough political opinions and ideas that I could vote, however I think I am the minority. The rest wouldn't know left from right or the difference between communism and fascism. If voting was compulsary at age 16, I think people in that situation would just vote what their parents told them to.

By shagu

yes 16 year olds are allowed to vote because the can get a job at 16 and do loads of things at 16.

By wendy

i think that the voting age should be lowered to 16, and made not compulsory until 21. i know that there are plenty of kids at my school who do give a fuck about what's going on, and plenty who don't. non-compulsory voting means those who do care can have their say.

By matthew

im matthew an i am 14 and i agree with Cara i think that 16-20 yr olds should vote if they want to whil people 21 and over should have 2 vote
people at the age of 16 can have jobs infact i am 14 and currently have a part time job.
i think that offering a vote to 13 and 14 yr olds (metioned by someone else) sounds good in theory but in practice would just give their parents an extra vote.

By Shaun

I am 13, i am also the most politically aware person and active person i know of at my school and honestly i don't think changing the voting age will make the slightest difference if not made compulsory at this age.

By Nathan

I'm 15. That makes me old enough to be taxed and arrested. I'm therefore subject to all the responsibilities of our society. Part of the "Agreement" in democracy is the idea of "No Taxation Without Representation". So far, i see myself being taxed, yet not Represented. I dont think it should be compulsory, most people my age seem to not give a shit, or support candidates based on trivial reasons like "Kevin Rudd is funny" or "Brendan Nelson is better then Howard". I just belive im experiencing the "give" of democracy, But not the "take" or "choice" of democracy. I basicly, am unable to support or hold to account those in power. Whatever, i'd vote for the socialist alliance anyway!

By Daniel

Before any discussion about the lowering of voting age, A nationalised education program needs to be introduced into the schooling system, a fair and equal political education program discussing the socialist democratic system as well as the bourgeois political system it is not a matter of voting age it is a matter of education on the subject. Only then would we be able to have an educated opinion, after all age may make us wise but education enables us to make a difference.

By

I don't think it would make much of a difference. I think that 16, 17 year olds should be able to vote if they want to. That is, 18 and over it is compulsory and 16-18 it is optional. Thus young adults whoare aware and care can contribute. Makes perfect sense to me.

By ruby-rose

I think it wouldn't make much difference. However I do think that 16-18 year olds should be allowed to vote if they want to. And 18+ is compulsory. Thus young adults who are aware and care can contribute. Makes perfect sense to me.

By Britany

I am 13 years old and i'm totally against lowering the voting age because of the fact MOST kids are to occupied with other things that are the farthest things from politics. We are the people of the FUTURE not the people of the NOW. We have to much on our plates already and most kids are influenced by their parents and friends and do not have their own voice.

By Sadie

I think it should be lowered because more and more teenagers are following up on politics and are more concerned about our nation. :)

By will

Well I dont think they should because they can hardly decide when to do homework

By Britt.

I THINK THE VOTING AGE SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 16 BECAUSE AT THAT AGE WE ARE STARTING TO MATURE. YES PEOPLE ARE VERY SARCASTIC ABOUT THE WHOLE THING BUT LETS FACE IT OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPODE TO VOTE ARE NOT EVEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF VOTING. THE OLDER PEOPLE COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE WHOLE VOTING THING JST BECAUSE THEY DONT LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS IN THE RACE.I PERSONALLY THINK THE AGE SHOULD BE LOWERED BECAUSE AT MY SCHOOL RIGHT NOW EVERYONE IS VERY INTERESTED IN VOTING, BUT WE CANT BECAUSE WE'RE TOO YOUNG.I MEAN WE ARE 16 AND 17 AND WE PAY TAXES, DRIVE && HAVE JOBS SO WHY NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ALSO.OMG CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LISTEN TO ME.THIS IS CRAZY!!!! LET US VOTE!

By Gary J McCleary

As a sixty year old I am very much in favour of giving young people the vote. Back in my youth the voting age was 21 but the government of the day gave itself the power to conscript 20 year olds and send them off to the Vietnam War. This was at a time in history when Australia was not under attack or threat of attack. At age 20 we didn't even have the right to vote the f****** bastards out!

By Will

To be fair my initial response to the idea was not posative but after a little consideration I think this would be a good move. By the age of sixteen most people now are already paying taxes and have full legal and criminal responibility. The common debate is that youth are not as responsible for their actions as previous generations. Now in my mid twenties I feel that during my school years too much focus was directed at taking away opportunities to exercise responsibilities as a teenager and that I was not as prepared for being an adult as I could have been if steps were taken to involve school leavers in state and national affairs. This decision would need to be backed by appropriate and unbiased education but could be a really good way to get Australians as a whole more involved in the decisions that affect us.

By Meagan

I believe that 17 year olds should have an option to vote but not 16 year olds. Some may have good political veiws but most of them probably wouldn't care who was running the country.

By Brooke

i think that 16 year olds shouldn't be able to vote because they are payin taxes and getting their liscenses they are still highly irresponsible!They dont get all the political stuff and are just going to vote for the persons name that sounds the coolest. They dont care who is going to run the country.

By david

the age should not be lowered for us teenagers are not yet responsible enough to handle the responsibility of voting. if it was not compulsory my decision would be different. minors like myself should not be fined because we are to lazy to ride our bikes.

By Lu

Perhaps more political education in schools would produce more 16year olds would be interested in changing the world with one vote. It is double standards that being sexually active is legal at 16, so these young people can bring a child into the world, but they cannot have a say in the education, health system or society in general that their child would grow into. Most 16 year olds being perpetually drunk you say? Isn't it a common theme that 18 year olds are the ones who go slightly crazy with the alcohol, because they finally have the ability to buy copious amounts? The truth of the matter is that there are voters in their 30's, 40's.. 50's who still continue to not make informed decisions.

By ben

i believe the voting age should be lowered however there should be conditions seeing as most teenagers may not be intelligent enough to make informed decisions they might as well be educated through the topic and therefore it should become mandatory that all schools take lessons in politics because it is their choice in the future also getting them interested in politics at an early age will improve what some people would call a voting IQ i also think it should not be illegal for people that are 16 to register this will give them a choice into when they do this because lets face it some of them will be undereducated on the topic so we should not force stupid young people to vote there is also a radical movement in california that people should get a quarter vote at 14 a half vote at 16 and a full vote at 18 this gives them time to get their head around the entire concept of politics

By Kathleen

I think that voting at sixteen should be optional to those teens who think they are responsible or ready to vote for a leader. If they don't think their ready then they can wait until their older.

By sam smith

i dont want it lowered to 16 thats just insane i want it raised to 21 so that teenagers can get a better study in life. at the present time i am doing an assignment piece about this subject. and i definatly am disapproving of the voting aged being lowered.

By Hannah

Well im going to a debate and our topic is "should voting be lowered to 16?" We are against. Personaly i am convinced both ways! Some 16 year olds are mature but then other are not. also even at the age of 18 our brains are still developing into the 20s. So it wouldnt REALLY make a differnece if we lowered it to 16, would it? Maybe if we make it NOT compulary between the age 16-18 that would be fair wouldnt it? Because we get the opportunity to vote!

By Georgia

It is interesting seeing that most people who do have the right to vote don't think that 16 year olds should be able to and think we are not capable. However as a 16 year old you have the right to drive, to leave home, to make decisions about your body and you pay GST and are affected by many decisions the government makes regarding things such as education and transport.

By udontwannano

I dont think it should be lowered because then some people might enter a person who they have never heard of before

By sarah

i dont think they should should change then voting age

By Hannah K

Many people are simply just complaining about the issue and not doing anything....if we (as 16 year olds) want to vote we need to fight for it and be educated. Plus there is no wrong vote. I really don't believe that just 16 year olds should be educated but we should get anybody and everybody who can vote this education...education is the key to success.
p.s wtf socialist alliance????????? wow

By Elizabeth

I think the voting age should be lowered to 16 only if you have a job. Because we have jobs we pay taxes. Since we pay taxes we should be able to vote.

By rick 12345678910

i think that 16 year olds should have the vote because if we can drive and work and pay taxes to the government why are we if we cant even vote for who he/she is

By B

I think that the voting age should stay where it is because
18 yr olds no better than 16 yr olds and 16 yr olds probably dont even care about voting so ya and this is coming from someones age lower than 16....Maybe if you were smart then you could vote.

By KASHA HAY

I think that the voting age should stay because anyone lower would not be well educated on the subject

By abe linckon

it should stay the same

By Lucy

If i have to pay tax, i should be able to vote. End of.

By lunchtime.samurai

I am offended by the "too ignorant to vote" comments regarding this matter. I am 14 and I understand a hell of a lot more about politics than many adults I know. While this isn't be true for a majority of people, a 15 years voting age followed by compulsory voting at 18 would definitely not be a bad idea. We are deemed old enough to choose our future career pathway through the SACE (or equivalent) at 15, so why can't we vote?

Postscript: If you are going to be elitist, *please* learn how to spell and punctuate. Thankyou.

By hi

After reading this would you keep QLD earn or learn policy where under 17's are legally obligated to earn or learn. and i noticed there is no policy on surf lifesaving australia, royal flying doctors sevice, RSPCA. Would these be socialised or fully funded???