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Australia's youth tackle the big debates

10 June 2009

Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Stephen King, the team from Scotch College (Will Harms, Tom Treffry and Nick Yates), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Schoemaker, and Head, Department of Economics, Professor Russell Smyth.

Some of the brightest young minds in Australia went head to head to debate whether the Rudd Government should delay the emissions trading scheme in the interests of economic recovery in the grand final of Viewpoint 2009.

A trio of Year 12 economics students from Scotch College in Melbourne came out on top against Gippsland Grammar at the event, held at Federation Square in May.

Viewpoint, organised by the Faculty of Business and Economics, was a state-wide debating competition for schools, encouraging students to hone their public speaking skills and develop an understanding of economic issues.

Scotch College and Gippsland Grammar students debated the pros and cons of the economic impact of emissions trading.

The Viewpoint grand final was opened by the Victorian Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, and hosted by 774 ABC radio presenter Red Symons.

Preliminary rounds, quarter and semi finals were held throughout May, whittling the schools from 24 down to two.

The teams challenged each other on subjects ranging from the exportation of uranium, to the ethics and usefulness of the $900 stimulus package, to the pros and cons of free university education.

Adjudicators for all debates were provided by the Debaters Association of Victoria, supported by the Monash Association of Debaters.

For more information visit the Viewpoint 2009 website.