the reduction the age of majority from 21 to 18.

In a wide-ranging debate in the Upper House, both Government and Opposition Senators agreed that it was time to extend further benefits and responsibilities to persons who have reached the age of 18.

However, the family and the education system would have to play a greater role to ensure that young people were ready to assume these responsibilities when the laws were changed, Senators said.

A full report will be published in tomorrow's newspaper.