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.
Round 2: That homework should be banned in Primary school.
Round 3: That it is better to be an only child.
Round 4: That teachers should wear a uniform to school.

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.
Round 2: That schools should provide free lunches for students.
Round 3: That schools should adopt a four day week.
Round 4: That the Bluey $1 coin should be put into general circulation.

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.
Round 2: That banning office cakes would be a crummy idea. (See link)
Round 3: That 'rewilding' is misguided.
Round 4: That private schools in Australia should be abolished.

Year 9

All debates are Prepared Debates. Speeches of 5 minutes; warning bell at 4 minutes.

Round 1: That "Influencers" are detrimental to society.
Round 2: That courts should not override the rights of parents. (See link)
Round 3: That 'Hostile Architecture' is necessary.
Round 4: That a cashless society is a bad idea.

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 2: That Chat GPT should be banned in schools.
Round 3: That conscription should be introduced in Australia.
Round 4: That nuclear power plants in Australia are a good idea.
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 2: That Australia should have abstained from voting on the Palestinian UN Membership bid.
Prepared Debate Speeches of 8 minutes; warning bell at 7 minutes.

Round 3: That traditional masculinity matters.
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.

View the 2023 topics here.