Lexi Webster
In 1973, the Australian Parliament amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, lowering the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change added around 750,000 to 820,000 young people aged 18 to 21 to the electoral rolls for the 1974 federal election. The bill was passed in the context of a worldwide trend towards lowering the voting age and followed a youth movement against conscription and the Vietnam War.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of change | 1973 |
| New voting age | 18 |
| Previous voting age | 21 |
| Number of new voters | 750,000-820,000 |
| Age group of new voters | 18-21 |
| Reasoning | Young people serving in the Vietnam War, social and demographic change, and a worldwide trend towards lowering the voting age |
| Previous attempts to change the voting age | 1968 and 1970 |
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What You'll Learn
Voting age lowered to 18 in 1973
In 1973, the Australian Parliament amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, lowering the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change added around 750,000 to 820,000 young people aged 18 to 21 to the electoral rolls for the 1974 federal election. The bill was passed on 28 February 1973, following two unsuccessful attempts to lower the voting age in 1968 and 1970.
The lowering of the voting age was a significant milestone in Australian political history, driven by a worldwide trend towards lowering the age of majority and recognising the social, demographic, and cultural changes occurring in the post-World War II era. The "'baby boom' generation", characterised by their transnational youth culture and political activism, played a pivotal role in advocating for this reform.
The Vietnam War served as a critical catalyst for the movement to lower the voting age. Young Australians, including males aged 20 and above who were subject to conscription, felt they were being sent to fight and die in an unjust war without any say in their country's involvement. This discrepancy sparked protests and marches, with young people demanding the right to have a say in the composition of their government and the decisions affecting their lives.
The recognition of "'natural justice' and changing perceptions about the responsibilities of young people also influenced the decision to lower the voting age. Additionally, 35 other countries, including the United Kingdom (1969) and the United States (1971), had already lowered the voting age to 18, setting a precedent for Australia to follow.
The lowering of the voting age had a significant impact on Australian politics, bringing a substantial number of new voters with distinct values and ideas into the electoral process.
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Vietnam War as a catalyst
The voting age in Australia was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1973. This change was catalysed by the Vietnam War, which brought about a generational divide and saw young protesters take to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Young Australians, some of whom were drafted to fight in a war they saw as unjust, had no say in their country's involvement. This discrepancy became the central rallying cry for a movement to lower the voting age to 18.
The Vietnam War was a significant catalyst for change in Australia and other Western countries. The war sparked widespread anti-war protests, with young people questioning their governments' decisions and demanding a say in their fate. The rallying cry "Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote" reflected the anger and frustration of those who were old enough to be drafted but not to vote.
During the Vietnam War era, public opinion shifted towards supporting the lowering of the voting age. This shift was driven by the perceived inequity of young men being conscripted and dying in war without having a political voice. The movement in Australia drew inspiration from similar pushes overseas, particularly in the United States, where the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971 due to the war.
The Vietnam War highlighted the disconnect between those making decisions about the country's future and those who would inherit it. Young people felt that if they were deemed old enough to fight and die for their country, pay taxes, and drive cars, they should also have the right to participate in the political process and elect their representatives. This sentiment was not limited to Australia, with many Western countries lowering their voting ages to 18 during the 1970s, including the United Kingdom, Canada, West Germany, France, and Sweden.
The Vietnam War served as a crucial turning point, bringing attention to the need for equitable representation and sparking a global movement to lower the voting age. The war's impact on public opinion and the powerful arguments made by activists and researchers played a pivotal role in Australia's decision to lower the voting age in 1973, ensuring that young people had a say in the composition of their government and the future of their country.
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The youth's influence
The youth in Australia have had a significant influence on the country's voting age changes over the years. In 1973, the Australian Parliament amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, lowering the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change was driven in part by the recognition that young people were paying taxes, driving cars, and serving their country in times of conflict, and therefore deserved a say in choosing their government. About 750,000 young people aged 18 to 21 became eligible to enrol as voters in federal elections, and 18-year-olds could also stand as candidates.
The lowering of the voting age in 1973 was a significant milestone in Australian political history, and it was recognised as such at the time. Mr Daly, the Minister for Services and Property, described the introduction of the bill as "an historic occasion – an occasion too long delayed." The change was also influenced by the mass youth casualties in the Vietnam War, with the understanding that if 18-year-olds were old enough to fight and die for their country, they should have the right to vote.
Today, there is a continued push by Australian youths to lower the voting age even further, to 16 years. Advocates of this change argue that young people are feeling disenfranchised and want to have a say in their future, especially on issues like the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis, and climate change. They believe that if they can work, pay taxes, and make important decisions like consenting to medical procedures, they should also be able to vote.
However, there are potential challenges and pitfalls to consider. Lowering the voting age might not address the underlying issue of youth distrust of politicians, and there is a risk that it could lead to higher abstention rates driven by dislike for the political system. Additionally, some young people themselves feel they lack the knowledge to make informed voting decisions, highlighting the importance of education as a key component of any voting age reform.
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Women's suffrage
During the late 19th century, a movement to federate the Australian colonies also emerged, and in 1898, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania passed a referendum to federate under an Australian Constitution. This constitution outlines how the country is governed, and any changes to political power require a referendum.
In 1854, a miners' protest over license fees and political rights resulted in a rebellion that led to miners' demands, including the right to vote, being met. In 1856, South Australia granted the vote to male residents aged 21 and over, with Victoria following suit two years later, and the remaining colonies following soon after.
It is worth noting that the fight for women's suffrage in Australia was part of a broader global movement. During the 1960s and 1970s, a trend emerged in Western parliamentary democracies towards lowering the voting age to 18. This reflected the sentiment that young people paying taxes, driving cars, and serving their country during conflicts deserved a say in their government.
In 1973, Australia amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, lowering the minimum voting age to 18 years. This change was influenced by similar reforms in other countries, including the United Kingdom (1969) and the United States (1971). The bill was described as an "historic occasion" by the Minister for Services and Property, Mr. Daly, and was supported by both sides of the Parliament.
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Compulsory voting
Australia is a federal, representative parliamentary democracy where citizens have the right to elect their representatives in parliament. In 1856, South Australia granted male residents over 21 the right to vote, with Victoria following suit in 1858. The remaining colonies followed this lead, and in 1894, the South Australian Parliament agreed to women's suffrage, with the other colonies gradually coming to the same view.
In 1924, to improve low voter turnout rates, amendments were made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, introducing compulsory voting for citizens over 18. This resulted in a dramatic increase in voter turnout at the following election. Compulsory voting has been fairly uncontroversial in Australia, with national surveys since 1967 showing public support consistently hovering around 70%.
There are a number of policies in place to reduce barriers to voting in Australia. Elections are held on Saturdays, and employers are required to give workers paid leave on election day. Electors are also given several ways to cast their vote, including postal voting, pre-poll voting, absent voting, voting at Australian overseas missions, and voting at mobile teams in hospitals, nursing homes, and remote localities.
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Frequently asked questions
The voting age in Australia was changed in 1973, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
The change added around 750,000-820,000 young people aged 18 to 21 to the electoral rolls for the 1974 federal election.
The change was a result of a worldwide trend towards lowering the age of majority and giving younger generations more political power.
