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THE FORTNIGHTLY
WEEK FIVE | SEMESTER TWO | 18TH AUGUST | 2025 WEEK FIVE | SEMESTER TWO | 18TH AUGUST | 2025
THE UK IS SET TO LOWER THE VOTING AGE TO 16. Should Australia follow suit?
Ineka Leffler Last month UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, announced that the United Kingdom will lower the voting age from 18 to 16. This comes as a move to “futureproof” British democracy following consistent declines in democratic engagement. The rise in the far-right populist party the “Reform party” in the UK has put a spotlight on the future of British democracy, and whether or not current systems have the capacity to combat political backsliding. Currently, only 19% of British citizens are satisfied with the way democracy is upheld within which Britain had just experienced the lowest voter turnout in British history since 2001. By lowering the voting age the UK is hoping to encourage more young people to get involved in politics, which has been promising in neighbouring countries like Scotland and Wales which have also lowered the voting age. But is lowering the voting age a good thing? Those in favour of lowering the age, argue that 16 year olds share the same struggles and responsibilities as 18 year olds, but without the privilege of voting. Things like paying tax, working jobs, providing medical consent, and even military service. In fact, when Australia lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, the main argument put forward was that if 18 year olds could fight and die for the country,
having just experienced mass youth casualties in the Vietnam War, then they should be able to vote. However, many say that 16 year olds simply have yet to acquire the level of political knowledge and/or experience necessary to make an educated vote. This links to a broader issue leaders around the world including our own governor-general are trying to tackle, which is that current media literacy levels do not have the ability to withstand misinformation online. Experts say that lowering the voting age should be a first step in a broader effort to improve democratic engagement and political literacy, so that when individuals do cast their vote it is a true reflection of their values. But what could it mean for Australia? Globally and nationally, data suggest that there is a strong correlation between young voters and the success of left-leaning parties. For example, in the federal election Gen Z and Millennial voters comprised 47% of the voting population, and simultaneously, Labor experienced a landslide victory. This has the potential to continue if the voting age is lowered. In both the recent federal election, and the Tasmanian state election, lowering the voting age was not a primary policy point. But this isn’t to say it hasn’t been discussed. THE STUDENT VOICE OF TASMANIA SINCE 1931
In 2023 Anne Aly, Minister for Youth at the time, made clear in an interview with The Daily Aus that the Labor party is not against lowering the voting age, however it is “not a priority .. that young people have said they want us to focus on”. Optional voting for 16 and 17 year olds was put forward in 2021 by the Greens in Tasmanian parliament, however, did not pass. Looking ahead, Independent Monique Ryan pledged to put forward a lowering the age bill in federal parliament later this year. So, lowering the age is definitely in the air here in Australia. From women reserving the right in 1902, indigenous Australians in 1962, and 18 year olds in 1973, we’ve been adapting requirements since the beginning. Could this be the next big thing for Australia's voting history?
PRO-PALESTINE READ-IN AT MORRIS MILLER LIBRARY Erin Coull This semester, Resistance Lutruwita is holding read-ins at Morris Miller Library to raise awareness and show solidarity for Gaza. The first was held on the 6th of August. For an hour, Resistance campaigner, Matt, read from political scientist Ilan Pappe’s 12 Myths About Israel. On a soapbox in Level 2 foyer, his voice carried easily up to the crowded Level 3.