SYDNEY: Google Australia is to invite 15 to 17 year-old students across Australia to vote in a simulated online federal election.
The search giant announced Student Voice in Sydney this morning in conjunction with Senator Kate Lundy, Senator Scott Ludlam, Paul Fletcher MP, and AEC State Manager Doug Orr.
It is being billed as the first time young Australians will have their opinions heard during a federal election.
The online federal election will take place between 9 - 12 August, ahead of the real election on 21 August. The initiative is designed to educate young Australians about the democratic process and create an indicator of political feeling among the next generation of voters.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Greens Senator Bob Brown have both created a YouTube video addressing young Australians in a bid to secure their Student Voice vote.
The results will be announced the week before the August 21 Federal election and will be available by electorate, state and nation.
Alan Noble, engineering director Google Australia and New Zealand said: “The internet gives young Australians unprecedented access to political information and politicians. We hope Student Voice further encourages young people to engage in political debate and make their voice heard.”
Google Australia also unveiled initiatives developed by local Google engineers to make election information more useful and accessible to all Australians, and to encourage online participation in the political process.
The new site connects Australians with information about the election, parties, and political issues. Visitors to the site can explore electoral information on a Google Map and access up-to-date insights and search trends on hot political topics.
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