The contentious change to the council’s code of meeting practice will be debated on Tuesday night.

The move is an initiative of Deputy Mayor Paul Rankin and has the support of Mayor Marianne Saliba and senior council staff.

‘‘I think kids that are 10 years old don’t have the capacity to understand a lot of the issues,’’ Cr Rankin said.

‘‘When they are just reading things out that they don’t understand, it in effect gives an adult two chances at addressing the council.’’

Cr Rankin said the legal age to vote and drink alcohol was 18.

‘‘I think at 18 you have a better understanding of the issues,’’ he said.

However, former mayor Kellie Marsh labelled the move ‘‘anti-democratic’’ and said she feared it was a targeted attack on her that had consequences for the whole community.

Her son Nathan, who is about to turn 12, has addressed the council on a number of occasions in recent times on issues such as sports funding and the City Hub project.

Callum Harvie-McKay, the 10-year-old son of anti-airport campaigner Sonya McKay has also addressed the council on traffic issues near his primary school and the proposed closure of the Warilla Child Care Centre.

‘‘The bottom line is that there is a view among some councillors that people under 18 shouldn’t speak,’’ Cr Marsh said.

‘‘I am a representative of all people no matter what age and I want to hear from people of all ages.

‘‘This move is age discrimination – how can a modern inclusive council not include the next generation?’’

Nathan Marsh’s speech at a recent Joint Regional Planning Panel hearing received strong applause and praise from the audience.

‘‘My son is a fabulous speaker. He writes his speeches himself,’’ Cr Marsh said.

‘‘I am always encouraging my child to speak ... whether it is my child or someone else’s child I encourage them to speak.

‘‘I get compliments from people from other councils that we have young people interested in council.’’

Cr Saliba said there were lots of ways the council could engage with people under 18, without them having to address formal council meetings.

‘‘We go to high schools and we consult over issues happening with younger people,’’ she said.

Cr Saliba said there was potentially ‘‘a legal impediment’’ having people under 18 address the council.

‘‘How do you hold them liable for something they may say that is slanderous or defamatory ... issues like that are very hard to control.

‘‘There are lots of opportunities for young people to be consulted and participate in council processes.

‘‘They can write, telephone or email ... addressing the council is just one form of communication.’’

Cr Peter Moran said the move was ‘‘disappointing’’.

‘‘It has been put forward that people under 18 don’t have an informed opinion,’’ Cr Moran said.

‘‘But on a number of occasions they were not expressing an opinion, they were putting forward facts.

‘‘Sometimes when Callum and Nathan have spoken on issues they may not have had a complete understanding, but they have put across factually based information from a young person’s perspective.

‘‘We should listen.’’