Many younger people are politically engaged. We saw this in the recent student-led protests on climate change policy. Dan Peled/AAP

Should Australia lower the voting age to 16? We asked five experts

People under 18 can leave school, get a job, drive a car and pay taxes. Should they be allowed to vote too?
Effective leadership requires leading by example, but Australia’s human rights record has drawn increasing criticism at home and abroad. Andrew Hill/flickr

Ten things Australia can do to be a human rights hero

On Human Rights Day, and with Australia set to take up a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, here’s a must-do list for this country to become a credible advocate for human rights.
Australia continues to enjoy voter turnout levels that are the envy of voluntary-voting regimes the world over. AAP/Lukas Coch

Election explainer: why do I have to vote, anyway?

The majority of Australians approve of compulsory voting – and have done so for decades. The nay-sayers continue to be a minority.
Australia has had a consistently high voter turnout thanks to compulsory voting. Niyazz/Shutterstock

Compulsory voting, much like democracy, beats the alternatives

Queenslanders will soon head to the voting booths to either oust or re-elect the Newman government and no doubt some will be wondering why. “Why must I vote or be fined? Why must I be forced to choose…

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