Backers score win after ‘uphill battle’

Lobby group Make It 16 says a declaration the voting age breaches the Bill of Rights Act would send politicians a ‘‘strong moral message’’ for change. Make It 16 leadership member Caeden Tipler said they were optimistic the law would change as it has for prisoners’ voting. There was cause to celebrate but still a lot of mahi (work) to do, Tipler said. ‘‘We have had many battles. This whole campaign has been an uphill battle.’’ The group has twice before – in the High Court and the Court of Appeal – been turned down for the declaration of inconsistency with the Bill of Rights. And the

Supreme Court said while the Crown had not justified the age limit yet, it could later show it to be justified. Parliament could take into account other matters to ensure whatever happened had the necessary democratic legitimacy, Justice Ellen France said summarising the court’s decision.