Submission to Lowering the Voting Age and Increasing Participation Bill

Climate change is here, now. But on its current trajectory, the impacts are predicted to be much worse in coming years. Climate change is a matter of intergenerational injustice because decisions made today will impact generations to come. It is therefore critical to ensure young people, whose interests are most affected by climate policies and their consequences, have as much of a say as older people in how our country tackles this existential threat.

Environment Victoria recommends lowering the voting age to 16 so that young people can have a fair say on critical issues like climate change.

We call on the Parliament of Australia to:

• Investigate the benefits of lowering the voting age to 16
• Allow non-compulsory voting for 16-18 year olds
• Allow 14 and 15 year olds to enrol to vote
• Relax enrolment requirements that disadvantage young people who move house and need to update their details the most, to allow easier access to democratic participation.

Read the full submission below or click here to download the PDF.