Wide support for change among Labour caucus

Labour MPs appear keen to lower the voting age to 16 — at least for local body elections.

Filing into their regular caucus meeting yesterday, an overwhelming majority of the 33 Labour MPs spoken to by Herald reporters said they backed lowering the voting age. Some ministers, such as Transport Minister Michael Wood, were equivocal in their support, saying they were “positively disposed” towards lowering the voting age for local elections, but less keen for general elections.

Thirty MPs have expressed support for lowering the age, two opposed it, and one sat on the fence. Labour has a 64 MP caucus, meaning 33 MPs are required to pass a motion on a bare majority.

Lowering the age for local body elections now looks likely. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday the Government would introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16. This legislation would address the voting age in general and local elections, which is currently 18.

The Greens also support a change. Ardern said on Monday she did not know how her MPs would vote on the legislation as it had not been drafted or put to caucus.

But she supported lowering the voting age and, based on a poll of Labour MPs yesterday, it looks like most agree with her.

Opposition to lowering the age came from Attorney-General David Parker, who said changing the age was up to Parliament or a referendum, but gave his personal view to reporters.

“I’m happy with 18. For me it’s a combination of still depending on parents and can’t serve in the military and often at school at the age of 16.

“There’s a balance here, people put different emphasis on different factors.”

Mā ori Development Minister Willie Jackson opposed lowering the age but “could be persuaded”.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson supported lowering the voting age for general and local body elections, but was realistic about the fact that lowering the general election voting age was unlikely.

Wood was lukewarm on changing the general election voting age, but supportive of change for local elections.

“We’ve clearly got an issue in local government where we have very low turnout, we need to make sure we’re engaging people more in the process. Many of the issues in local government are very relevant to young people,” he said.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said 16- and 17-yearolds “understand what impact politics has . . . I think at that age, they should be able to make a decision”.