The prime minister has confirmed the issue is being looked at by a Select Committee but comments from officials about government priorities cast doubt on whether a bill will advance any further, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here.

 

Government only obligated to respond to Supreme Court declaration on voting age

Last November, the Supreme Court granted a declaration that the provisions of the Electoral Act and of the Local Electoral Act, which provide for a minimum voting age of 18 years, are inconsistent with the right in s19 of the Bill of Rights to be free from discrimination on the basis of age. The case was taken through the courts by the Make It 16 group. Here’s a refresher on what the Supreme Court judgment entailed and what the government is obligated to do about it. The government must respond to the declaration within six months, but does not have to introduce a bill to lower the voting age or hold a referendum on it.

Indications Ardern’s commitment to introduce bill may not be honoured

At the time, former prime minister Jacinda Ardern said she would introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16 for local and general elections. This morning, Stuff’s Glenn McConnell is reporting that there are indications that Ardern’s commitment may not be honoured and draft legislation to lower the voting age may not advance much further. Justice minister Kiritapu Allan said she had not received advice about introducing a bill to lower the voting age.

“As you’ll be aware, government is doing a reassessment of priorities”

In response to a question about whether the Ministry of Justice was working on draft legislation from opposition spokesperson for justice Paul Goldsmith at the Justice Select Committee yesterday, Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite​ told MPs to expect an announcement from the ministry “in due course.” “We clearly were working on it through last year, but as you’ll be aware, government is doing a reassessment of priorities,” he said. Yesterday, justice minister Kiritapu Allan was also hosing down speculation about a referendum on lowering the voting age yesterday saying the government would stick to its existing plan, which is to introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16. Pressed for her own opinion on whether there should be a referendum, Allan said “power to the people” and walked into Labour’s weekly caucus meeting.

Prime minister says no decision made on options

Speculation about whether a referendum was being considered was derived from comments made by government minister Michael Wood. When asked about lowering the voting age on the AM Show last week, Wood said “there would probably need to be a process of the New Zealand public having their say on that.” In an interview with the same show yesterday, prime minister Chris Hipkins was also asked about a referendum. Citing the two ways the voting age could be changed, a supermajority in parliament or referendum, Hipkins said “the government hasn’t made decisions on which of those two options, if either, we would pursue” and confirmed the Select Committee was looking at it.