Last year, an ACT Greens motion to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 was defeated in the Legislative Assembly. The Greens have made that policy an election commitment. They would also give permanent residents the right to vote in the ACT.
“The Greens want Canberra to be a city for all of us and that means including more Canberrans in our democracy,” Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens democracy spokesperson and re-contesting Member for Yerrabi, said.
“There are so many active and engaged Canberrans who are directly impacted by the decisions that their elected representatives make, but are currently unable to vote at ACT elections.
“These members of our community work and pay taxes, make use of public services like public transport, schools and hospitals, so it’s only right that they should have a say on the future of our city and how it is run.”
Greens MLA Laura Nuttall, the only Gen-Z Member of the Legislative Assembly, who will recontest her seat in Brindabella, said:
“I know so many informed young people who are desperate to access their democratic rights. They’re super conscious that the decisions that are made by today’s politicians are the decisions that will shape their future. They want to have a say and they don’t want to have to wait until they’re 18.
“As the youngest MLA in the ACT, I am particularly keen to engage more young people in ACT politics, and giving more young people the right to vote is an excellent step in the right direction.
“The old parties have consistently united to ensure that 16- and 17-year-olds can’t have a say in their future. It’s time for that to change.”
Soelily Consen-Lynch, Greens candidate for Yerrabi, was born in Suriname and recently became an Australian citizen.
“Having the opportunity to vote in ACT elections would give permanent residents a sense of belonging in our community and allow them to feel heard and respected,” Ms Consen-Lynch said.
“I arrived in Australia in 2013, but I didn’t become a citizen until late 2019. I knew I wanted to make Canberra my home, but initially I wasn’t able to have a say in the future direction of my new home.
“As working, tax-paying members of our community, this initiative will mean so much to many permanent residents who call Canberra home, giving them a voice in local government.”
“The more people are involved in democracy and engaged in decision making, the better the outcomes for everyone,” Mr Braddock said.
