Tas Greens move to let 16-year-olds vote

TASMANIA'S Greens are moving to get 16-year-olds the vote in time for the state's next election.

Greens leader Nick McKim will table a motion in parliament this week that would allow those aged 16 and 17 to volunteer to vote.

Mr McKim, a cabinet minister whose party shares power with Labor in Tasmania, is hopeful the reform will be in place in time for the state election due in March next year.

"Currently 16-year-olds can work, pay taxes, use a firearm, get arrested, join the army, have children, get behind the wheel of a car and live on their own, but they are prevented from voting in an election," Mr McKim said in a statement.

"It makes no sense that young Tasmanians can work a job and be taxed like anyone else, but then have no say in how those taxes are spent.

"It sends the wrong message to young people that their input into democracy is not valued, and that their views on public policies that affect them cannot be trusted."

Under the proposal, youths who chose to enrol would then be subject to compulsory voting rules.

Mr McKim said Austria, Argentina and Brazil had already granted 16-year-olds the vote, and similar moves were underway in the UK.

He said his motion had been timed to take place during National Youth Week.

"This is about strengthening our democracy by enfranchising thousands of smart, politically-aware young Tasmanian adults ...," Mr McKim said.

Tasmania's Liberal opposition called the move a "stunt", saying Mr McKim should be focused on his portfolios of education, transport and corrections.

"Instead of lowering the voting age, Minister McKim should be directing his efforts to ensure 16-year-olds can read and write, they have a bus service that can get them to school and that there is a well-run prison to keep them safe from criminals," deputy opposition leader Jeremy Rockliff said.

The Greens leader has been under pressure in two of his portfolios, with ongoing bus strikes and the departure of a high-profile prison reformer.

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