It is a sneaky, furtive, surreptitious move by the ever-so-transparent Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty!
Last night, in a dazzling display of democracy at its finest, he oh-so-quietly slipped in a last-minute bill to “gasp” lower the voting age for local body elections from 18 to 16.
Because, you know, 16-year-olds are renowned for their in-depth understanding of local governance and political complexities.
But wait, let’s not forget the name of this magnificent piece of legislative artistry – the Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill.
They really went all out with that one.
The bill was presented in such an extravagant manner that it was granted a whopping few seconds of parliamentary time. I mean, who needs more time for something as insignificant as changing the voting age, right?
And the best part?
This bill introduces a new, groundbreaking category of electors – brace yourselves – “youth electors”! Because we all know that adding fancy titles automatically makes the whole idea sound more reasonable.
Yes, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds will now have the privilege of being registered on the youth electoral roll.
Because who needs life experience when you can have youthful enthusiasm?
But hold your applause, folks, because this revolutionary move has gone almost entirely unnoticed by the mainstream media.
How surprising!
Usually, when the government is up to something as minor as changing the voting age, they make sure to sound the trumpets and announce it to the world.
But not this time! Kieran McAnulty’s media team must be on a well-deserved holiday, as they’ve remained suspiciously silent.
Not a single item of Beehive communications has even dared to mention the bill.
Bravo, Mr. McAnulty, for your impeccable sense of timing.
Oh, and let’s not forget the masterstroke here – Labour is clearly playing a high-stakes game of political roulette.
By sneaking this change in under the radar, they’re clearly banking on getting away with it.
Because nothing says “democracy” like making significant decisions without any public discussion whatsoever.
And let’s not be fooled by this ridiculous notion of having a national conversation to build consensus.
Who needs consensus when you can abuse your majority in Parliament’s final moments?
The voting age, one of the most pivotal decisions in a democracy, is clearly best decided by a handful of politicians.
Referendum?
Nah, that’s just too democratic for our taste.
So bravo, Labour!
What an absolutely genius move to ensure that 16-year-olds can shape the future of our nation.
Because nothing says “wise political decision” like catering to a demographic that struggles to decide whether they are a boy or a girl.
But hey, who needs wisdom and experience when you’ve got youthful exuberance on your side?
Cam Slater is a New Zealand-based blogger, best known for his role in Dirty Politics and publishing the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog, which operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. This article was first published HERE
But wait, let’s not forget the name of this magnificent piece of legislative artistry – the Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill.
They really went all out with that one.
The bill was presented in such an extravagant manner that it was granted a whopping few seconds of parliamentary time. I mean, who needs more time for something as insignificant as changing the voting age, right?
And the best part?
This bill introduces a new, groundbreaking category of electors – brace yourselves – “youth electors”! Because we all know that adding fancy titles automatically makes the whole idea sound more reasonable.
Yes, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds will now have the privilege of being registered on the youth electoral roll.
Because who needs life experience when you can have youthful enthusiasm?
But hold your applause, folks, because this revolutionary move has gone almost entirely unnoticed by the mainstream media.
How surprising!
Usually, when the government is up to something as minor as changing the voting age, they make sure to sound the trumpets and announce it to the world.
But not this time! Kieran McAnulty’s media team must be on a well-deserved holiday, as they’ve remained suspiciously silent.
Not a single item of Beehive communications has even dared to mention the bill.
Bravo, Mr. McAnulty, for your impeccable sense of timing.
Oh, and let’s not forget the masterstroke here – Labour is clearly playing a high-stakes game of political roulette.
By sneaking this change in under the radar, they’re clearly banking on getting away with it.
Because nothing says “democracy” like making significant decisions without any public discussion whatsoever.
And let’s not be fooled by this ridiculous notion of having a national conversation to build consensus.
Who needs consensus when you can abuse your majority in Parliament’s final moments?
The voting age, one of the most pivotal decisions in a democracy, is clearly best decided by a handful of politicians.
Referendum?
Nah, that’s just too democratic for our taste.
So bravo, Labour!
What an absolutely genius move to ensure that 16-year-olds can shape the future of our nation.
Because nothing says “wise political decision” like catering to a demographic that struggles to decide whether they are a boy or a girl.
But hey, who needs wisdom and experience when you’ve got youthful exuberance on your side?
Cam Slater is a New Zealand-based blogger, best known for his role in Dirty Politics and publishing the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog, which operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. This article was first published HERE
6 comments:
Has Luxon said anything about it, or is it another "if you want to talk about men in women's bathrooms, you are on another planet" type of issue for him?
If Luxon and Seymour are not yelling about it, then we know democracy in NZ is now completely dead.
The problem is - dumb and apathetic people will welcome this.
The Wealth Tax - probably doubled ! - will get full support.
Another nail in the coffin of once normal NZ. Head off for a normal country.
Watch for the weekend/early next week advertising being subscribed to by supporters to the Taxpayers Union as we speak. This will bring it to the political forefront hopefully.
A sneaky, traitorous, undemocratic government that will be getting it's ass severely kicked in the very near future and none too soon.
MC
...Just so long as it goes hand in hand with wearing big boys pants: i.e. You will now be judged by the courts as an adult, and you can be sent off to war for your country as a 16 year old. Oh, you don't like that??? Well with voting rights come with community responsibilities, so suck it up.
How many responsible able adults are going to put themselves froward and chance to the whims of brianwashed children? None at 16 contribute to rates. we will have skateboard rinks in every open space. I could make a serious case for age 50, or even 21.
The sad reality is, that "should Labour be evicted from the Treasury Benches in the October General Election", the incoming Govt (whoever) will be more focused on their intent to introduce "their" Policies, that will be aimed to make NZ better, bigger, brighter, and more industrious, than sitting back and reviewing any Policies put in place by Labour since late 2016 and making a decision to revoke.
Now here in lies a "problem"! Ms Ardern saw to having Dame Cindy Kiro placed in the position of Governor General. For any new Govt to revoke a Law, since 2016, will need this "dear lady" to sign off that Govt request.
I will leave future readers to ponder the above statement, draw your own conclusions, for my money I would think that there will be problems!
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