Voting age should be lowered to 16, law expert argues

In a submission to a joint standing committee looking at lowering the voting age, University of New South Wales law professor George Williams said teenagers as young as 16 should be able to join the electoral roll, but not on a mandatory basis.

"The vote should be opened to 16 and 17-year-olds by way of a cautious, incremental path," Mr Williams said.

"Initially, the vote should be extended to this age group on a voluntary basis. This should occur for Senate and House of Representatives elections and for special ballots such as plebiscites and referendums."

Despite voting being mandatory for those 18 and over, Professor Williams said compulsory voting should not be extended to 16-year-olds.

He said only those with a desire to take part in elections should be given the option to have a say.

"Voting at 16 would be consistent with other changes and opportunities at this age," he said.

"People under 18 can leave school, get a job, drive a car and pay taxes. They can also enlist in the Australian defence forces, become a parent and, in exceptional circumstances, get permission to marry. If the law permits them to undertake these activities, it is hard to see why they cannot also vote."

While critics of the proposal argue those younger than 18 have little knowledge of the parliamentary process, Professor Williams said the statement can also apply to many adults.

"Australians of all ages typically have low levels of knowledge about government and can express disinterest in politics," he said.

"In my experience, 16 and 17-year-olds tend to be more passionate about the future of our nation and their democratic rights than other sections of the community."

It's a sentiment shared by Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who set up the joint committee earlier this year.

The youngest senator in parliament said while the notion of lowering the voting age comes up periodically, a serious discussion about the prospect hasn't happened since 2007, the last time it was looked at by a senate inquiry.

"In the decade since, there have been many international reforms in more than 10 countries," Mr Steele-John said.

"For the Scottish independence vote in 2014, the voting age was lowered to 16 with incredible success, as well as other elections in Austria, Germany and Brazil.

"It's time we looked at this issue again because so many issues talked about in parliament, from climate change to affordable housing, are shaping young people's future."

Senator Steele-John said he also supports making voting optional for 16 and 17-year-olds, with enrolling to vote being made part of civics classes in high schools.

"One of the things this reform gives the opportunity to do is to bring the democratic process into the classroom in a tangible way," he said.

If such a proposal was to be made legal, the senator said major political parties would focus more on policies targeting young people.

"It would create an electoral incentive for Australian political parties to take young people and their issues seriously," he said.

Submissions for the inquiry close on August 10.