A Melbourne council is pressuring the federal government to introduce two years of mandatory military conscription for all 18-year-olds, in a bid to tackle youth street crime.

A counselor at Casey Council, in Melbourne’s southeast, said making it compulsory for youths to enlist would give aimless teens direction in life, while also strengthening the nation’s defences against terrorism.

Tom Elliott, from Melbourne radio station 3AW, and Sydney social commentator Jane Caro debated the drastic proposal on Sunrise on Thursday morning.

View photos A Melbourne council argued making it compulsory for youths to enlist in the army for two years would give aimless teens direction in life. Picture: 7 News More

Ms Caro agreed Australian youths could learn a thing or two by doing a couple of years in the army – but only if they chose to enlist.

“I think making it compulsory in this day and age, when we're not at the moment and the situation of war, is probably not a good idea."

She argued young Australians were already struggling to establish careers and break into the housing market, so adding years of defence training into the mix would "just keep pushing back their opportunity to launch themselves."

View photos 3AW's Tom Elliott, and social commentator Jane Caro had competing arguments about the drastic proposal on Sunrise this morning. Picture: Sunrise More

"How old will they be when they can buy their first home - 45?

"If we are under threat, let's consider it. Otherwise it is great if people choose to go to do military service, they will do a great value to our community. But forcing it, bad idea,” she said.

Mr Elliott told Sunrise he supported the "conservative" Casey Council’s idea and rejected Ms Caro’s argument that a compulsory enlisting would delay adulthood for young people.

View photos It was argued compulsory defence force training would force young Australians to grow up. Picture: 7 News More

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