Qld secures support for national youth voting summit

The Queensland Government has secured interstate support for its proposal to host a national summit aimed at increasing the civic involvement and voter enrolment of young Australians.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said it was estimated more than 300,000 young Australians eligible to be enrolled to vote do not appear on the electoral rolls.

“A Federal election is due this year and 300,000 votes spread across the country could determine who governs Australia for the next three years,” Mr Shine said.

“However, the issue is more fundamental than just the next Federal election and the next three years.”

“An effective democracy must encourage its citizens, of all ages, to be informed and engaged. Voting is a right and obligation of Australian citizens over 18 years of age.”

Mr Shine said the summit would draw on the outcomes of the recent international ‘Engaging Youth in Democracy” symposium held in Sydney, as well as the findings of various completed and ongoing studies into the issue including the comprehensive “Voices and Votes” report released by the Queensland Parliament’s Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee (LCARC).

LCARC’s report found that only 49% of 18-year-olds in Australia (or 126,712) were enrolled to vote at the end of last financial year. In Queensland, the rate was even lower – 42% (or 21,687).

Mr Shine said the summit would involve State, Territory and Commonwealth electoral commissions, educational authorities, political parties and academics.

“Importantly, a representative group of youth ambassadors from across the country would be invited to attend and participate,” Mr Shine said.

“We need to hear from young Australians themselves about the issues of disengagement and low voter enrolments to truly understand and address them.”

The Electoral Commission of Queensland will work with other commissions and agencies to co-ordinate the summit.

Mr Shine said he hoped the summit could be held later this year, prior to the next Federal election.

14 April 2007

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350 or kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au