Australia's democratic system grants specific privileges to its citizens to ensure they can participate in how the country is governed. Consider the following three people: a 21-year-old Australian citizen who is currently living and working overseas, a 35-year-old permanent resident who has lived in Australia for 10 years, and a 17-year-old Australian citizen living in Canberra. Which of these individuals has the legal privilege to vote in a federal election or a referendum?
- Only the 21-year-old Australian citizen who is living overseasAnswer
- BThe 21-year-old Australian citizen and the 35-year-old permanent resident
- CThe 21-year-old Australian citizen and the 17-year-old Australian citizen
Answer
Only the 21-year-old Australian citizen who is living overseas
The privilege to vote in Australian federal elections and referendums is granted to Australian citizens who are 18 years of age or older. The 21-year-old citizen meets both the citizenship and age requirements. Living overseas does not disqualify a citizen from holding this privilege. In contrast, permanent residents are not citizens and therefore do not have this privilege, and citizens under 18 have not yet reached the age required to exercise it.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Eligibility for voting privileges in Australia
Hints
1
Recall the two main requirements for the privilege of voting: citizenship status and a specific minimum age.
2
Consider that permanent residency, no matter how long, does not grant the same voting privileges as citizenship. Also, being under the age of 18 prevents a citizen from voting.
Practice More
Review the other privileges of citizenship, such as the right to apply for an Australian passport or seek election to Parliament, to see if they share the same age and status requirements.
Estimated Time:2m 0s