Judition Activism at Supreme Court as Voting Age of 18 is Ruled Age Discrimination
November 21, 2022
PHOTO: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
After failing in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, the Make it 16 group took their case to the Supreme Court earlier this year.
They argue that the voting laws are inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act on the basis of age discrimination, and wanted the Courts to make a declaration of inconsistency.
Justice Ellen France said the Court of Appeal was wrong not to make a declaration and have granted the appeal.
Parliament recently passed a bill which means that any declaration of inconsistency that comes from the courts gets put up to special debate
In the courtroom this morning, members of the Make it 16 group were crying and holding hands as Justice France read the decision.