Young people are ready to take on more responsibility for their futures with the launch of a youth-led campaign to lower the voting age.
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Non-partisan group Make It 16 has called on federal parliament to extend the vote to the country's 16 and 17-year-olds who number more than 600,000.
"At the end of the day, we're the people that will inherit the consequences or benefits of what our governments do," 16-year-old Ravin Desai told reporters at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday.
The group was supported by a mix of young and older crossbenchers.
Independent MP Monique Ryan said young people were affected by decisions parliament made on climate, the environment, housing and the economy.
"All of these issues matter to them - more than to some people in this place. It's only fair that we give them this chance to participate in our democracy," Dr Ryan said.
Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie supported the change and suggested an opt-in model.
"No one in this country has a greater stake in our future than younger Australians. They will still be here long after I've been buried," he said.
Greens youth spokesman Stephen Bates said young people are at the forefront of so many crises confronting Australia.
Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Malta, Scotland and Wales already allow 16-year-olds to have their say at the ballot box.
The youth suffrage supporters credited higher rates of political engagement and voter turnout compared to older age groups, as results from those nations.
New Zealand, Canada and Germany are debating the change.
Australian Associated Press
