Age-old question up for debate
Should 17-year-olds get the vote? That’s one of the questions youth MPs will grapple with this week.
Changes to New Zealand’s voting age will be discussed at this week’s Youth Parliament.
The mock Electoral Reform Bill will be debated by youth MPs and proposes lowering the voting age to 17, making voting compulsory, introducing electronic voting systems, and extending the parliamentary term to four years.
Mungo Mason, originally from Scotland and currently head student at Tauranga Boys’ College, represents Tauranga for National MP Simons Bridges.
He says that he supports most of the bill except making voting compulsory.
“I think a technologically secure online voting system could do wonders for the political system, increasing efficiency and ease of expression of political views.”
Bethlehem College’s Tom Rutherford represents Mount Maunganui for Independent MP Brendan Horan and says he will listen with an open mind.
“Some points I would be for but others I would be against, so I’m going in with my mind undecided and willing to listen to everyone’s point of view on the topic.”
Established in 1994, Youth Parliament happens every three years for 121 nationally selected youth MPs to learn how New Zealand’s democracy system works.
The two day event (July 16 and 17) will also include select committee meetings with real public submissions.
Mason is part of the health select committee, which will address youth substance abuse.
He says that substance abuse is possibly one of New Zealand’s “most important medically pressing issues”.
“Many agree that it is at the turning point, either it can be dealt with now to avoid further problems, or substance abuse can continue to be an element of society that is accepted by a wide contingent of our younger communities.”
Mason suggests putting in place more regular advertising to change the mentality of substance abuse.
“Connect with young people from a relatable basis and from there progress and change will occur,” he said.
Emily McCarthy, 17, from Tauranga Girls’ College will also represent the Bay of Plenty for National MP Tony Ryall.
