Any change would not be in force for next year’s election, the PM said.
Labour hadn’t discussed it as a caucus, and as such, Ardern could not give the Party’s view on lowering the age.
Ardern wouldn’t speculate on whether it would be a conscience vote.
Ardern wouldn’t make any assumption on any opposition to lowering the voting age.
On her own position, Ardern said there was a range of reasons why, including it being aligned with the responsibilities and rights people had at that age. However, she was quick to note hers would be one vote of 120 MPs.
A report would be made to the house within the next six sitting days, Ardern said.
Asked why the voting age couldn’t be lowered before next year’s election, Ardern said reform in this area typically was applied to the following election to prevent the impression of change being made to benefit the current Government.
Ardern said the responsible ministers would need to table a response to the voting age judgement in Parliament.
She said the issue of the voting age was that there had to be a cut-off point at some stage, noting it was not appropriate for infants to vote for instance.
The court decision kicks off a process of both the Government and Parliament responding to the declaration over a process of about six months.
The Court determined that setting the minimum voting age at 18 had not been justified as a reasonable limit on people’s right to vote.
The Court cannot overturn New Zealand’s voting laws, which can only be changed by Parliament.
The voting age is an entrenched provision, meaning it can only be changed with a 75 per cent majority in Parliament or a referendum - unless a government threw political caution to the wind and repealed the entrenching provision with a simple majority.
This means that the most conventional way of changing the voting age would be for at least Labour and National to come together to change the voting age.
National has already said it is happy with the voting age where it is.
The Court’s decision triggers two responses, one from the Government and the other from Parliament.
The Attorney-General, David Parker, must notify the House of the court’s declaration within six sitting days after the declaration becomes final.
The Minister responsible, in this case, Justice Minister Kiri Allan, must present a Government response within six months of Parker notifying the House
The decision also triggers a process in Parliament. It means the issue must be referred to a Parliamentary select committee to consider and report on within four months.
There will also be a debate in the House on the declaration from the Court, the select committee report, and the Government’s response.
Black Ferns celebration announced
A public event celebrating the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup win will be held on Parliament’s lawn on December 13.
Members of the public will be able to mingle with players, Ardern said.
When asked why there wasn’t a parade, Ardern said what had been proposed was decided in consultation with the team and New Zealand Rugby.
“The Black Ferns’ triumph at Eden Park is one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting moments,” Grant Robertson said in a statement.
”They are extraordinary athletes, exceptional people and proud New Zealanders. We are so proud of these women, helping to pave the way for women’s sport in Aotearoa, proving yet again that women’s sport is out on top.
”Women’s rugby has never been so strong in New Zealand, and over 40,000 sold out seats for the final at Eden Park attests to that.
”The Government will partner with Wellington City Council and NZ Rugby to host the event at Parliament.
”This will be an opportunity for New Zealanders to meet, mingle and celebrate with our World Cup-winning Black Ferns.
”I would like to congratulate Ruahei Demant for winning Women’s 15s player of the year at the World Rugby Awards, along with Ruby Tui for winning Women’s 15s breakthrough player of the year and Wayne Smith for winning coach of the year.”
Further details of the event will be sent out ahead of time. There will be an indoor wet weather option as well.
PM comments on Winston Peters
Asked if Labour lied to Winston Peters on He Puapua, Ardern denied the claim.
Ardern said she didn’t have much cause to have a working relationship with Peters.
She said she would not go back and revise history. On his claim that she lied, Ardern wouldn’t discuss it and referenced her pride on what the coalition achieved.
PM: Many set for higher interest rates
On the high cost of living, Ardern said she would be meeting with the New Zealand Bankers’ Association this month and would inquire as to what could be done to make things easier for people in the coming year, noting many will experience higher interest rates on their mortgage among other costs.
‘Boot camps don’t work’
On National’s youth crime policy, Ardern said the main aspect of debates on issues like crime was that no one wanted to see young people engaging in crime.
She said “boot camps don’t work” and said it was important to focus on workable solutions.
She said people would find it “refreshing” if politicians stopped trying to “outbid” each other on such matters.
On Luxon’s call for accountability on parents to amend truancy, Ardern said the world was not as simple as Luxon’s National saw it.
She said no one was arguing people taking responsibility didn’t come into policy discussions, she said it was not the be-all and end-all with respect to improving school attendance levels.
Ardern is joined by Commerce Minister David Clark who will discuss legislation giving effect to the Government’s efforts to increase competition in the supermarket sector.
Clark said he favoured a younger voting age, given how political decisions had a longer impact on younger people. He said his position on the matter was well-established.
