Page 803 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 29 March 2006
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Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Minister for Racing and Gaming) (5.17): This is indeed an interesting subject. The subject of the motion, the reduction of the voting age to 16, is one that the government does not have a formal position on. But certainly we are more than happy to support a conversation, an investigation, a fleshing out of the issues that would be involved and might be raised if the voting age were to be reduced to 16. To that extent, I will be moving an amendment to the motion.
MR SPEAKER: Has it been circulated?
MR STANHOPE: It has been circulated. I formally move:
Omit paragraph (2), substitute:
“(2) refers the proposal to the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Young People for inquiry and report back to the Assembly on or before 1 October 2007.”.
Dr Foskey makes a case for why the voting age might be reduced. She raises some points of interest and makes some valid points about the need to ensure that we engage our young people in the life and decision making within the community. Each of us would accept absolutely that young people, from their particular perspective, have a very valid view to put on issues that affect them deeply and personally as young people. I do not think any of us would dispute that.
There are a range of issues that one might point to that require some deep thinking and detailed investigation on the reduction of the voting age and the implications for young people. I do not think it should necessarily be assumed that the imposition of a compulsory voting regime on young people is necessarily, in every respect, ideal or desirable. I might be convinced otherwise, but these are issues on which I would need some convincing and on which the government would need to be persuaded.
The issues that need to be fleshed out and investigated are: what are the implications of imposing a compulsory voting regime on children? Is it consistent with our obligations towards children that we expose them to criminal penalties for not voting? We have a compulsory voting regime. Those of us that fail to vote are potentially subject to criminal prosecution for not voting. Is the imposition of a compulsory voting regime, with criminal penalties, consistent with our obligations?
Dr Foskey: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I want to clarify whether the Chief Minister—
MR SPEAKER: You get to close the debate, Dr Foskey.
Dr Foskey: I understand. We are not talking about compulsory voting for 16 and 17-year-olds.
MR SPEAKER: It is up to you to raise that in the closing of the debate, which you will be entitled to in due course. Members are entitled to raise that as an issue. It is part of the debate.
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