Five years ago, young people were marching in the streets demanding change – across the globe, they were coming together in climate marches that were impacting politics around the world.
Marginal seat
Greens councillor Elia Hauge, the youngest Byron Shire Councillor to be elected, told The Echo, ‘It is your way to have direct power over not only our political system, but especially the laws that impact you. This is particularly the case in a marginal seat like Richmond in the upcoming federal election. Your vote will make a difference’.
‘Key issues that keep coming up are housing and climate change when I speak to young people. Registering to vote is one clear way that people can make change and let politicians know what they want.
‘It is important to remind anyone who has moved here that they need to change their address to vote in this marginal seat’.
Avery, who says they would vote Labor if they could, says that voting should be opened up to anyone from 16-years.
‘I don’t see any significant changes from 16 to 18 in young people’s understanding,’ they told The Echo.
‘I think voting should be open to 16-year-olds who want to vote, it shouldn’t be compulsory, but there are many young people who are very aware of the issues that will impact their future’.
‘We are the ones who are going to be most affected by the choices that politicians are making today and we should have the right to voice our opinions,’ added Avery.
Once the election is called, there will only be a short time to enrol – so get onto it today. If you are 18, or will be 18 at the next election, you can enrol to vote at www.aec.gov.au/enrol.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
