Give 16 year olds the vote? Teenagers are already doing a better job than stupid old white men | Peter Goers

Many older people and politicians are too dumb to vote but we still let them, writes Peter Goers. Have your say.

Peter Goers

@busbygoers

3 min read

July 27, 2025 - 5:30AM

Sunday Mail (SA)

Lifestyle

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Many 16-year-olds are too stupid to vote so they shouldn’t have the vote. What absurd logic. Many people over 18 are too stupid to vote but they have the vote.

Some politicians are stupid and that doesn’t stop them.

Politically we tend to ignorance and apathy. Recently all of the 100 Sydneysiders canvassed could not identify Sussan Ley as the Federal “Oppossition” Leader.

Let’s give 16-year-olds the vote. They can only improve things. They are, after all, inheriting the earth – or what’s left of it.

TELL US WHY IN THE COMMENTS

We adults make decisions for them and they deserve to be part of the process.

When you are 16 you know everything – or think you know everything. The older we get the less we know and understand.

Let’s have some teenage acumen, energy and involvement in our politics and nationhood. Let’s have a children’s crusade.

After all, teenage Greta Thunberg has done more to bring awareness to climate change than many nations – all run by adults – generally old white men.

Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg talks to journalists upon her arrival to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport after being deported from Israel. Picture: Hugo Mathy/AFP

The Labour PM of the UK Sir Keir Starmer wants to give the vote to 16-year-olds and Greens and Teals in Oz agree.

The ALP once thought it was a good idea. Does it still?

Conservatives rattle their pearls with horror assuming that 16 to 18-year-olds will vote against them.

This ain’t necessarily so. Teenagers are vastly more politically and socially conservative than before.

They drink less alcohol, are less sexually promiscuous, and they are being digitally informed by the minute.

If 16-year-olds vote it will increase their knowledge of civics and increase responsibility in their lives.

The most important issues for the young are climate change, social justice and housing. They deserve action. Let’s give them the political power to help achieve this.

It’s not happening without them.

The adult reaction to perilous climate change is slower than – climate change. We are fiddling while Rome burns.

We once stopped people who didn’t own land, women and Aboriginal people from voting.

During the Vietnam War we conscripted soldiers to kill in the name of Australia who weren’t old enough to vote.

When the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1973 opponents said that 18 to 21-year-olds were too stupid to vote.

You can vote at 16 in Austria and Brazil and in Scottish council elections. The young blame us for everything.

Give them the vote and we can share the blame.

Brown and out: The new White Australia policy

Recently a beautiful 19th century grand mahogany breakfront cabinet in excellent condition was knocked down at auction for $80.

Fifteen years ago it would’ve fetched $7000. No-one wants brown furniture.

No-one wants antiques. Dealers use the words “vintage” and “retro” rather than “antique”.

Conversely “mid-century modern” furniture, especially blonde wood Danish pieces and teak sideboards, are fetching ridiculous prices.

The ’60s TV chair you put out for hard rubbish is now worth $450.

No-one wants heavy furniture.

You can’t give away an upright piano or a chiffonier or nanna’s crystal or silverware. An old wardrobe is an albatross.

The young will not buy a beautiful cedar balloon-back dining chair for even $20 (once worth $350) but will buy a white laminated chair for $100 they have to assemble themselves.

Older generations had dining room, bedroom and lounge suites they kept all their married lives.

We live in the age of the ephemeral – architecture, information and furniture.

Nothing is for keeps. Heritage is carved in brown furniture. Sit on it and appreciate it. Learn from it.