When can I vote?

Myah and Marley grapple with the complexities of democracy and representation in Australia in the final episode of Small Voices Big Ideas. They sit down with federal MP Matt Thistlethwaite to discuss his political career and views on Australian democracy. Meanwhile, Abby and Matteo explore different political systems, and Maxim, Matteo, and Cody gather community perspectives on democracy and related issues.

Our politicians can be so rude and rowdy. Sometimes they act like absolute toddlers. But what alternatives are there?

Not being able to vote yet doesn't stop Abby and Matteo from wondering what it would be like if they were the bosses of Australia!

After working their way through important policy framework including a mandate of two icecreams per day, they hand back to Myah and Marley who talk to someone who actually does get to make important decisions about the country, Federal MP for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite.

Listen in for conversations about whether kids should be have the opportunity to vote, whether parliamentary terms should be longer, if Australia should become a republic, and much more.

MP Matt Thistlehwaite with the Small Voices Big Ideas crew.

If you want to grow and you want to get better, then sometimes you have to change things and make decisions. We think that we can have a stronger form of democracy where more Australians get the opportunity to participate, and young Australians like yourselves get the opportunity to aspire to hold those important positions in Australian society.

MP Matt Thistlethwaite

Learn more about the producers of this week's episode;

• Abby loves crafts, watching Netflix and would really like a dog.
• Cody likes turtles and cooking.
• Marley loves to play netball and listen to Taylor Swift
• Matteo loves his cat and loves go kart racing and wants to be a professional go kart driver.
• Maxim likes sports cars and wants to be a entrepreneur
• Myah loves her family, her dog Pickle, her cats Mitty and Sammy, gymnastics and playing with her friends.

And of course

• Rob Kaldor, the Executive Producer behind 'Small Voices, Big Ideas', who has been teaching podcasting to students at Kensington Public School. He is often accompanied by his trusty Tenterfield Terrier, Ted.

Small Voices Big Ideas is produced by students at Kensington Primary school and is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Executive Producer: Rob Kaldor

Students: Abby, Ace, Ally, Cody, Margaret, Marley, Matteo, Maxim, Minh, Molly, Myah, Noah M, Noah U, Orla, Oscar, Rosie.

SBS Audio team: Joel Supple, Max Gosford, Maram Ismail