2024 Schools' Competition Topics
Year 5
All debates are Prepared Debates. Speeches of 3 minutes; warning bell at 2 minutes.
Round 1:
That cats are better than dogs.
Year 6/7
All debates are Prepared Debates. Speeches of 3 minutes; warning bell at 2 minutes.
Round 1:
That self serve at supermarkets is a good idea.
Year 8
All debates are Prepared Debates. Speeches of 4 minutes; warning bell at 3 minutes.
Round 1:
That there should be a mandatory retirement age for politicians.
Year 9
All debates are Prepared Debates.
Speeches of 5 minutes; warning bell at 4 minutes.
Round 1:
That "Influencers" are detrimental to society.
Year 10
Rounds 1 to 4 are Prepared Debates. Speeches of 6 minutes; warning bell at 5 minutes.
Round 1:
That Australia should adopt "15 minute cities."
Round 5:
Short Preparation Debate
The Short Preparation Topic will be released 90 minutes before the scheduled debate. View guidelines here
Speeches of 5 minutes; warning bell at 4 minutes.
Senior
Round 1: That Italy's ban on lab-grown meat is a good idea.
Prepared Debate Speeches of 8 minutes; warning bell at 7 minutes.
Round 4: Short Preparation Debate
The Short Preparation Topic will be released 90 minutes before the scheduled debate. View guidelines here
Speeches of 6 minutes; warning bell at 5 minutes.
Special Formats of Prepared Debates
Quodlibetical Topic
There are a number of issues that can’t be easily expressed in a one-line topic. Therefore you have been given a fictitious scenario, outlined by a few paragraphs, and a topic that is based on this scenario. The following should be noted:
1. The first speaker should not attempt to define the topic word for word, but rather should define the issue(s) or dilemma(s) that the topic presents.
2. It is this issue or dilemma that should be debated in an attempt to prove whichever side of the topic, i.e. feel free to debate the particular issue generally, but be sure to link it back to the topic as this is what you want to argue for or against.
3. There is no need for the first speaker to read out the initial paragraphs as the Chairman will do this before announcing the topic, however, any speaker may refer to these paragraphs as part of his/her argument.
4. Debaters are welcome and are encouraged to conduct further research on the issues presented but note that the scenario itself is often fictitious.