Voting age down to 16?

[Logique2]

In the media of late, July 2025.

I think the country is in deep trouble if 16yro voting ever happens here. As seems to be in prospect in some places offshore.

We don't need a country run by activist teachers and junior university lecturers. Which is what this would amount to..

Brainwash them through school, then send them out to vote at 16yro ...to the Left of course.

I'd say (costing $7M annuallly) 'Airbus Albo' will be all for it.

 

[PZ.]

Yeah, bring it on. But not make it compulsory until 18.

 

[IFocus]

As if the current so called adults are doing such a great job…..

 

[wayneL]

As if the current so called adults are doing such a great job…..

Yeah, look who we voted in twice recently.

 

[frugal.rock]

I think it should be raised to 21 years of age.
Let their brains mature a bit.
Don't know if that will ever happen now though as they are all brainwashed and controlled by content on the device.
I'm a parent of 2.

 

[PZ.]

Great. You can join the Army at age 17 but can't vote until age 21. Can't agree with that.

 

[farmerge]

Great. You can join the Army at age 17 but can't vote until age 21. Can't agree with that.

Yeap can be sent off to war at a politicians whim but can't vote for against the pricks.

 

[The Triangle]

Yeap can be sent off to war at a politicians whim but can't vote for against the pricks.

Forced to go to school at the politicians whim but can't vote against it either.

At least you're given a choice to join the military.

Great. You can join the Army at age 17 but can't vote until age 21. Can't agree with that.

Happy medium... 21 voting age but anyone in the army or in a trade can vote. And anyone with unpaid hecs debt can't vote.

I think it should be raised to 21 years of age.
Let their brains mature a bit.
Don't know if that will ever happen now though as they are all brainwashed and controlled by content on the device.
I'm a parent of 2.

Yeah I used to believe in universal everything for everyone at 16...even 18... Not until I left school, had a full-time job, paid taxes, had car insurance, and became a functional member of society did those views change.

I would have voted for whatever party handed out free pizza and beer when I was 16 and if the member running for Parliament was a hot blonde I would have voted for her. Didn't have devices then but my brain was still mush.

 

[farmerge]

Forced to go to school at the politicians whim but can't vote against it either.

At least you're given a choice to join the military.


Happy medium... 21 voting age but anyone in the army or in a trade can vote. And anyone with unpaid hecs debt can't vote.


Yeah I used to believe in universal everything for everyone at 16...even 18... Not until I left school, had a full-time job, paid taxes, had car insurance, and became a functional member of society did those views change.

I would have voted for whatever party handed out free pizza and beer when I was 16 and if the member running for Parliament was a hot blonde I would have voted for her. Didn't have devices then but my brain was still mush.

Sadly in a lot of cases that scenario of brain mush is so so prevalent today.

 

[PZ.]

At 16 you're allowed to leave home, work, have a TFN, Medicare card, get your "L's" and have a quickie on the way home.

All the above have far greater consequences if you get it wrong than simply voting for the "wrong" Govt

Then again, I was always one for greater personal freedom

 

[farmerge]

At 16 you're allowed to leave home, work, have a TFN, Medicare card, get your "L's" and have a quickie on the way home.

All the above have far greater consequences if you get it wrong than simply voting for the "wrong" Govt

Then again, I was always one for greater personal freedom

@PZ. Yes greater personal freedom is all well and good, as long as the boundaries set by society are maintained.

 

[Smurf1976]

Personally my view is the age of adulthood should be consistent across activities. If you're old enough to vote then you're old enough to drink and be sent to an adult prison. If you're old enough to drive then you're old enough to trade shares or pose nude for a photoshoot. Etc. Either you're an adult and mature enough to make your own decisions or you're not.

That said, I wouldn't assume this would favour the political Left.

Judging by comments from the, admittedly fairly small, sample of people of that age I have dealings with they seem to be mixed. They're far less convinced by the Left than the previous generation was, the only thing that really stops them going more to the right is they see the Liberal party as an actual joke not worthy of consideration.

 

[farmerge]

Personally my view is the age of adulthood should be consistent across activities. If you're old enough to vote then you're old enough to drink and be sent to an adult prison. If you're old enough to drive then you're old enough to trade shares or pose nude for a photoshoot. Etc. Either you're an adult and mature enough to make your own decisions or you're not.

That said, I wouldn't assume this would favour the political Left.

Judging by comments from the, admittedly fairly small, sample of people of that age I have dealings with they seem to be mixed. They're far less convinced by the Left than the previous generation was, the only thing that really stops them going more to the right is they see the Liberal party as an actual joke not worthy of consideration.

My own personal view has always been the age for all and sundry, should be 18.
By then at that age the grey matter in most is advanced enough to make decisive decisions.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

I think it should be 14. If they are old enough to have children themselves and break in to other people's houses they should be made vote like everyone else.

gg

 

[farmerge]

I think it should be 14. If they are old enough to have children themselves and break in to other people's houses they should be made vote like everyone else.

gg

@Garpal Gumnut Gosh gg there are enough duds already voting without any semblance of a clue, let alone letting the snotty nose brigade vote also.

 

[StockyGuy]

I think it should be 14. If they are old enough to have children themselves and break in to other people's houses they should be made vote like everyone else.

gg

I hope you mean 14 MONTHS, bigot Are you saying the opinions and feelings of 13 year olds are not a valid part of the political discourse? They're the future of the nation yada yada yada

 

[wayneL]

All humans should have the right to vote, including foetuses </absurdoreductium>

 

[farmerge]

All humans should have the right to vote, including foetuses </absurdoreductium>

The bigger the voting numbers the bigger chance of getting even more duds to "represent us".