❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Labor government's inquiry into lowering the voting age to 16, despite both parties expressing opposition. Dr. Gallop defends the inquiry as a response to requests from other elected members and a worthwhile exercise.
AnsweredQoN 209Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
VOTING AGE, LOWERING TO 16 YEARS
I refer to the Government’s proposed inquiry into lowering the voting age to 16 years. Is it now the Labor Party that is in favour of bringing party politics into Western Australian classrooms and schools? Dr GALLOP
I refer to the Government’s proposed inquiry into lowering the voting age to 16 years. Is it now the Labor Party that is in favour of bringing party politics into Western Australian classrooms and schools? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
One of the parties represented in this Parliament, the Greens (WA), has suggested that we consider allowing 16-year-olds to vote. This side of the House is not committed to that proposition. Indeed, to use the words the Prime Minister used with me on Saturday when I asked about the submarine refitting contract, I remain to be convinced on that matter. However, we have no difficulty with inquiring into the issue. Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP replied: One of the parties represented in this Parliament, the Greens (WA), has suggested that we consider allowing 16-year-olds to vote. This side of the House is not committed to that proposition. Indeed, to use the words the Prime Minister used with me on Saturday when I asked about the submarine refitting contract, I remain to be convinced on that matter. However, we have no difficulty with inquiring into the issue. Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
One of the parties represented in this Parliament, the Greens (WA), has suggested that we consider allowing 16-year-olds to vote. This side of the House is not committed to that proposition. Indeed, to use the words the Prime Minister used with me on Saturday when I asked about the submarine refitting contract, I remain to be convinced on that matter. However, we have no difficulty with inquiring into the issue. Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP replied: One of the parties represented in this Parliament, the Greens (WA), has suggested that we consider allowing 16-year-olds to vote. This side of the House is not committed to that proposition. Indeed, to use the words the Prime Minister used with me on Saturday when I asked about the submarine refitting contract, I remain to be convinced on that matter. However, we have no difficulty with inquiring into the issue. Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
One of the parties represented in this Parliament, the Greens (WA), has suggested that we consider allowing 16-year-olds to vote. This side of the House is not committed to that proposition. Indeed, to use the words the Prime Minister used with me on Saturday when I asked about the submarine refitting contract, I remain to be convinced on that matter. However, we have no difficulty with inquiring into the issue. Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: Why? Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: Five members of the Western Australian Parliament requested that the matter be looked into. I remind those opposite that those members were elected to this Parliament. They have requested that we look into the issue, and we are happy to do that. This side of the House remains to be convinced that it will be a good move. We have a national standard in Australia which provides for voting at the age of 18. However, it can be investigated through a proper inquiry. I am sure it will produce some interesting findings. Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: Don’t you have a view? Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: We are against it. Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: So am I. Why are you having the inquiry? Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: It does not do any harm to look at a matter every so often. Life goes on, the world goes on and history moves on. Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Mr Barnett: There are some important issues that you should be addressing. Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Dr GALLOP: We must address some very important issues. However, the Western Australian people and the Western Australian Parliament have the capacity to deal with more than one issue at any one time. I cannot say the same thing about the Opposition in this Parliament.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.