ELECTORAL (VOTING AGE) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:45): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Electoral Act 1985; and to make related amendments to the Juries Act 1927 and the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:45): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill is also a reintroduction and I am sure the member for Mount Gambier has checked for any typographical errors. He is too young, or too old, to qualify for this.

This bill would entitle someone who is 16 and under 18, if they wish to, to enrol to vote. It is not mandatory and it would apply to state elections and local government elections. We often hear about involving young people. South Australia has pioneered a lot of voting reforms over time. I do not believe there is any reason why young people who are 16 or 17 who wish to enrol to vote should be denied that. It already happens in other places in the world and, as I pointed out before, the sky has not fallen in.

We now have a better educated population than ever before, sadly, not necessarily getting enough political education, in the broad sense of that term. If we are fair dinkum about allowing young people to have a meaningful say, the only meaningful say you can have is through a vote. You can have all of the talkfests and all of the gatherings of young people you like but, unless they can actually have a vote, no-one is really going to take note of what they have to say or what they wish.

This would facilitate that and I think it is time that South Australia, once again, not for the sake of it but because it is an important principle, extended the franchise on a voluntary basis to those aged 16 and 17 who wish to vote. I commend this bill to the house.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.