Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has welcomed the government's green paper incorporating the Greens' proposal for 16 and 17 year-old Australians to be offered non-compulsory voting.

"We have been advocating this move for a decade. It means that young Australians, if they choose to enrol, would be able to vote. It does not alter current law making voting compulsory for everyone aged 18 or over."

"Young Australians will be affected in the long term by current political decisions on issues like climate change, population, deforestation, education and science. It is logical and important that 16 and 17 year-old people have a say at the ballot box if they choose to."

Senator Brown said that countries such as Indonesia and East Timor allowed the vote at 17 years of age, Brazil, Cuba and Nicaragua at 16 years and Iran at 15 years of age.

"We are also right behind government moves to reverse the Howard government's decision to close electoral rolls so soon after elections are called, effectively disenfranchising some 100,000 new voters, predominantly young people."

"We have amendments to legislation ready to go that will give voters a week to update their details or enrol," Senator Brown said.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727