Members and Schools:
Log in or sign up.

Topics by Subject

The grade and year that the topic was used has been noted in brackets behind each topic

Australian Politics

Australian Politics

That Australian government elections should be conducted online. (D 2024)
That compulsory voting should be abolished in Australia.(C 2023, D 2008, D finals 2002)
That we should lower the voting age to 16 (D 2000, D 1997)
That, instead of being elected, members of Parliament should be randomly selected (A 2019)
That the value of a citizen's vote should diminish with age (C 2017)
That we should abolish political parties (C 2019)
That political party leaders should be directly elected by the Australian public (A 2012)
That our Head of State should be directly elected by the people (B 1998)
That we should get rid of State governments. (D 2015)
That we should abolish the Upper House in Victoria (C finals 2001)
That we prefer a hung parliament to a majority government (A 2022)
That Australia should become a republic (D 2016)
That two-party dominance harms democracy (A 2001)
That democracy should never be compromised for progress (A 1996)
That all political parties should have quotas for female candidates (D 2019)
That all political parties should have gender quotas (B 2002)
That we should reserve seats in Parliament for Indigenous Australians (D 2013)
That the government has failed Indigenous Australians (A 2012)
That the government should pay compensation to the Stolen Generations (A 2008)
That it should be optional to complete the Census in Australia. (D 2025)
That we should abolish the Australian citizenship test (D 2022)
That parliamentarians should be allowed to hold citizenship other than Australian citizenship (C 2022)
That the media should not be allowed to report on the private lives of politicians (D 2014)
That politicians' private lives are not the public's business (B 2000)
That Pauline Hanson has a right to be heard (A 1997)
That Paul Keating is an Australian hero (B 1995)
That we should ban political donations. (B 2023)
That religious leaders should not comment on political issues (C finals 2000)
That our politicians are failing us (D 1995)
That Australia should accept far fewer migrants (C 2010)
That Australia should adopt a new national flag (D 2017)
That the Australian Constitution needs a Bill of Rights. (A 2003)
That Victoria should have a Bill of Rights (B 2006)
That we should enforce a Ministerial Code of Ethics (B 2001)
That the republicans are ruining the Australian Republic (C 1999)
That the ALP should divorce itself from the unions (B finals 2002)
That the Democrats are doomed (B finals 2002)
That the Bracks Government has failed to deliver to regional Victoria (C finals 2002)

Youth Issues

That we should abolish special ‘youth’ wages (B 2013)
That we should abolish youth wage rates (C 2003)
That Australia should abolish Youth Wages (C finals 2001)
That all young people aged 16-22 years old should receive a Universal Basic Income from the government. (C 2025)
That Australia's youth should work for the dole (D finals 2000) That we should lower the voting age to 16 (D 2000, D 1997)
That the government is adequately responding to rural youth issues (D 2001)
That young Australians should form their own political party (C 2000)
That celebrities have too much influence over teenagers (D 2008)
That government schools should introduce condom vending machines. (B 2005)
That the Playstation has destroyed the playground (D 2000)
That we should introduce a youth curfew (C 1998)
That there should be mandatory reporting of anorexia in school students (A finals 2002)
That schools should be allowed to drug test students (C 2011, D 2003)

Human Rights

That we should prohibit public statements that are offensive (D 2013)
That refugees should have full access to the Australian welfare system (D 2019)
That we should have video surveillance in all public places (C 2006)
That the war against terrorism is unfairly restricting our freedom. (B 2005)
That the government should have access to private citizens’ encrypted messages (B 2019)
That we should criminally prosecute companies that use sweatshops (A 2019)
That parents should not be allowed to refuse medical treatment for their children (B 2017)
That Australia should dramatically increase its refugee intake (B 2016)
That torturing terror suspects for information can be justified. (A 2005)
That the Australian Constitution needs a Bill of Rights. (A 2003)
That Victoria should have a Bill of Rights (B 2006)
That we should not detain asylum seekers (B 2004)
That Australia should do more for human rights (A 1996)
That Australia should accept more refugees (C 1995)
That war crimes trials are unjustified (A finals 1998)
That trade should be linked to human rights (B finals 1998)
That we should link trade to human rights (A 1997)
That Saddam Hussein should be executed (B 2004)

Economics

That the Victorian government should buy back the public transport network (D 2009)
That employers should adopt a four-day working week (D 2018)
That we should embrace a cashless economy (D 2020)
That we should introduce an inheritance tax (C 2018)
That the Victorian government should financially incentivise people to move to regional Victoria.(C 2024)
That the government should bail out large, failing companies (B 2014)
That we should revoke the tax-exempt status of religious institutions (B 2020)
That only citizens and permanent residents should be able to own property in Australia (B 2022)
That we should implement a maximum wage.(B 2023)
That short-stay rental platforms (e.g. Airbnb, Stayz) have done more harm than good.(B 2024)
That Australia should implement a universal basic income (A 2018)
That the Australian government should prioritise tourism as Australia's main export. (C 2025)
That Australia should implement a substantial tourist tax. (D 2025)
That the government should prohibit businesses from being cashless. (D 2025)
That Victoria should cancel the Suburban Rail Loop (D 2024)
That the government should subsidise tourism in regional Victoria (D 2021)
That the economy is a poor measure of a nation's success (C 2021)
That the government should fund universal free childcare (B 2021)
That we regret the rise of the sharing economy (e.g. Airbnb) (B 2017)
That we should legalise Uber (B 2016)
That we should abolish welfare quarantining (B 2015)
That we should abolish the minimum wage (C 2014)
That the Government should pay a salary to parents who stay home with their children (D 2013)
That we should set a maximum wage of $1 million for corporate executives (A 2010)
That Melbourne’s growth should be upwards, not outwards (B 2010)
That we should greatly increase our public transport system instead of building new freeways (C 2006)
That welfare payments are a privilege not a right. (C 2005)
That we should ban all private cars from the Central Business District of Melbourne (D 2006)
That public transport should be free (D 2021, C 2011, D 1998)
That public transport should be operated by the State Government (C 2002)
That we should stop building freeways (C 1996)
That welfare payments are a privilege not a right (A 1999)
That we should abolish the work-for-the-dole program (D finals 2001)
That Melbourne needed to be crowned with a Casino (D 1995)
That we will regret our gambling led recovery (D finals 1999)
That we should protect the Australian economy with tariffs (A 2002)
That we should lift restrictions on foreign investment in Qantas (A finals 2002)
That multinational corporations have too much power (A finals 1998)

Social Issues

That the ANZAC spirit is irrelevant to young people (D 2003)
That we should be proud of Australia's bogan culture (D 2009)
That we should ban gender-specific advertising of toys (D 2014)
That we should prohibit gambling advertisements (D 2018)
That we should raise the retirement age in Australia. (D 2023)
That we should have compulsory military service. (C 2015, D 2006, D 2004)
That children should be legally required to take care of their parents rather than placing them in aged care (C 2020)
That alcoholic products should be subject to plain packaging laws (C 2021)
That medical professionals should not be allowed to strike. (C 2023)
That we should have safe zones for street prostitution. (B 2003)
That we should prohibit building homes in areas prone to natural disasters (B 2011)
That we should ban Scientology (A 2011)
That Australia needs a new National Anthem (D 2002)
That we should support Affirmative Action (A finals 1998)
That Australia must populate or perish (C finals 2002)
That parents should have the right to smack their children (D 2002)
That we should be thankful for unions (C 1996)
That we must legislate against vilification (A 1995)
That Australians are quick to cut down their tall poppies (C 2000)
That women's magazines do more harm than good (C 1999)
That we should have a quota for women on corporate boards (A 2011)
That all childcare centres should be funded and operated by the government. (B 2025)
That women should pay less tax (B 2015)
That feminism is irrelevant to young women today (B 2013)
That voluntourism does more harm than good. (A 2024)
That we should ban internet gambling (D 2016)
That we should ban volunteer tourism (B 2014)
That Australia should aim for zero population growth (B 2008)
That Australians should mourn 26 January as Invasion Day (B 2004)
That we should outlaw alcohol (C 2008)
That Australia should allow women to fight in the front line of armed combat (D 2009)
That women should fight on the front line in combat. (C 2005)
That we should stop celebrating Australia Day (D 2015, D 2012)
That we should ban all forms of gambling (D 2012)
That burning the Australian flag should be illegal (D 2006)
That parenting should be by licence only (D 1998)

Education

That year 11 and 12 should be compulsory (D 2003)
That all students should learn about a variety of religions in school. (D 2015)
That we should abolish standardised testing (e.g. NAPLAN) (D 2019)
That it should be compulsory for students to partake in extracurricular activities. (D 2023)
That too many people go to university (C 2019)
That schools should prioritise vocational skills (C 2020)
That students should have to complete compulsory volunteering hours every year. (C 2023)
That we should limit the number of government-funded university places (B 2018)
That all school and university exams should be open-book. (B 2025)
That phone use should be taught as a learning tool in schools. (D 2025)
That Australia should implement a 4-days school week (D 2024)
That we regret the use of participation awards (D 2023)
That schools should not teach texts that are deemed to contain discriminatory content (B 2021)
That we should abolish the ATAR system of university entrance (A 2017)
That we should allow corporate sponsorship of schools (C 2016)
That schools should provide free meals for their students (D 2016)
That all educational institutions should reserve places for indigenous students (C 2015)
That the national curriculum should seek to promote 'Australian values' (C 2014)
That we should ban academic streaming in schools (C 2013)
That we should give parents vouchers to send their children to private schools (A 2007)
That we should ban all overt religious symbols from government schools (A 2004)
That we should require all schools to accept a minimum of 25% of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds (B 2012)
That universities should have quotas for government school students (B 2006)
That the Government should publish league tables which rank school performance (C 2012)
That we should prohibit home schooling (D 2012)
That we should have performance pay for teachers (C 2007)
That we should ban examinations in schools (D 2014, D 2007)
That we should selectively stream classes according to ability. (D 2006)
That the government should not fund private schools (D 2004)
That we should increase public funding to private schools (B 2001)
That tertiary education for Australian students should be free (A finals 2002)
That exams are better than CATS (B 1999)
That all secondary schools should be co-educational (C 2002)
That Victoria should re-introduce technical schools (D finals 2002)
That education about illicit drugs should start in primary schools (C 1999)
That Political Studies should be compulsory at school (D finals 2001)
That we should punish school bullies (D 2000)
That learning a second language at school should be compulsory (D 1996)
That our schools should teach Asian second languages before European second languages (D 2000)
That school uniforms should be compulsory (D 1999)
That McDonalds has no place in school (D finals 1998)
That school students should be permitted to protest in school time (D finals 1998)
That private schools should not receive funding from the Government (D 2011)
That schools should be allowed to drug test students (C 2011)
That the media should not be allowed to publish material that is offensive to religion (A 2006)

Sport

That we should punish sporting teams for their fans' violent behaviour (D 2014)
That the Olympics should expand to include non-sporting events (D 2018)
That we should ban horse racing (D 2019)
That we should lift the ban on Russian athletes participating in international sporting events (D 2020)
That sporting bodies should not accept sponsorship from gambling companies (D 2022)
That the government should prioritise funding the arts over sports. (D 2023)
That the Grand Prix will do more harm than good for Victoria (C 1995)
That we should not grant developing countries the right to host major international sporting events (C 2014)
That we should boycott major sporting events held in countries with poor human rights records (C 2022)
That tickets to all sporting events should be free. (C 2025)
That we regret the influence of corporate advertising in sport (C 2017)
That we should ban children from competing in professional sport (D 2017)
That professional sports should have a separate league that permits the use of performance enhancing drugs (C 2016)
That the media should give equal coverage to men’s and women’s sports (D 201)
That we should legalise all performance enhancing drugs in sport (D 2013)
That we should have equal prize money for women in sport. (B 2005)
That professional sporting teams should not have cheerleaders (C 2007)
That we should ban hunting for sport (C 2005)
That we should not allow under 18 year olds to compete in professional sport (D 2012)
That the Victorian government should not fund major sporting events (C 2011, D 2007)
That the government should not fund elite sporting organisations (D 2006)
That Athens should be the last Olympics (D 2004)
That we should get tough on sports hooligans (B 2001)
That the media should pay more attention to women in sport (C 1998, C 1995)
That we should legislate for equal prize money for women in sport (D finals 2001)
That money corrupts sport (C 1997)
That schools should ban contact sports. (D 2025, D 2002)
That our sportspersons are not good role models (D 1999)
That we should legalise all drugs in sport
That Professional Athletes who cheat should be banned for life (D finals 2002)
That Sydney should be the last Olympics (C finals 2000)
That the 2006 Commonwealth Games should be the last (C finals 2002)
That we should not allow animals to be used as objects of sport (D 2011)
That the Government should not fund major sporting events (C 2011)
That the Victorian Government should save Waverley Park. (2000)

Environment

That we should have mandatory imprisonment for people who light bushfires (D 2007)
That we should introduce a congestion charge on motor vehicles entering the Melbourne CBD (D 2018)
That we should limit the number of cars that each household can own (D 2020)
That we should ban uranium mining in Australia. (D 2023)
That Australia should ban the use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture. (D 2025)
That we should lift the ban on mining in Antarctica (C 2003)
That we should ban the sale of all cars powered by fossil fuels by 2025 (C 2019)
That crops that require substantial environmental altering (irrigation, fertilizers, etc.) should not be allowed to be grown in Australia (C 2022)
That electric cars do more harm than good. (C 2024)
That we should ban climate change denial (B 2020)
That greenwashing should be a criminal offence.(B 2024)
That the government should outsource climate and energy policy to a panel of experts (A 2020)
That we should restric urban sprawl (C 2017)
That we should allow development in Antartica (D 2017)
That we should permit fracking (A 2015)
That we should give higher order animals (e.g. monkeys and dolphins) limited 'human' rights. (A 2014)
That the Australian Government should protect anti-whaling protesters who forcibly disrupt whaling ships (C 2013)
The environmental groups should commit violent acts in pursuit of their aims (A 2008)
That we should replace petrol with biofuels (A 2007)
That we should end live animal exports (B 2008)
That Victoria should create drinking water through desalination (B 2007)
That we should end all logging in water catchment areas (C 2007)
That we should lift the international ban on commercial whaling (C 2008)
That Australia should embrace nuclear power (D 2010)
That Australia should embrace nuclear energy (D 2008)
That we should support nuclear energy production (D 2003)
That we should greatly increase the price of water (D 2007)
That we should ban the sale of fur (D 2007)
That we should ban all private cars from the Central Business District of Melbourne (D 2006)
That we should all become vegetarians. (D 2006, C 2001)
That we should ban live animal exports (D 2004)
That we should abolish the forestry industry (A2001)
That we should put the loggers before the greenies (B 1995)
That we should lift the ban on commercial whaling (B 2002)
That we should support the mining of uranium at Jabiluka (B 1999)
That we should close the zoos (C 1995, D finals 2001)
That a good environment is a first-world luxury (C finals 2002)
That Australia should accept nuclear waste (D finals 2002)
That the environmental movement has failed to make real progress (C finals 1998)
That ecotourism threatens our environment (D finals 1998)

Science, Technology & Health

That there should be mandatory reporting of anorexia in school students (A finals 2002)
That parents should be able to design their babies (D 2009)
That we should value literature more than science (D 2009)
That we should require all social networks to offer parents full access to their children's accounts (D 2014)
That the internet enhances democracy (C 2003)
That we should legalise the sale of human organs (C 2009)
That alternative medicine (e.g. herbal remedies, hypnotherapy) should be banned.(C 2024)
That we should ban embryonic stem cell research. (D, 2003)
That HIV testing should be compulsory for all (C 1999, C 1996)
That a mission to Mars would be a waste of money. (D 2006)
That we should allow pill testing at music festivals (B 2019)
That Google has gone too far (A 2009)
That people who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 by choice should not have access to the public health system (A 2022)
That we regret the rise of artificial intelligence.(A 2023)
That all pharmaceutical research should be funded and conducted by the government. (A 2025)
That we should fear the development of artificial intelligence (D 2017)
That we should allow advertising of prescription medication (A 2013)
That doctors should be able to override family wishes for patients who are unable to consent. (A 2005)
That Australian parents should be able to choose the gender of their children. (A 2003)
That Australia should adopt a national internet filter (C 2010)
That social networking sites do more harm than good (C 2008)
That Australian parents should be able to choose the gender of their children (C 2006)
That we should be able to sell our organs for profit. (C 2005)
That smokers should not have their medical treatments subsidised (D 2021, C 2004)
That smokers should be denied access to Medicare (D 2010)
That all Australians should be listed on a DNA database (C 2004)
That we should tax fatty foods (D 2012)
That we should ban cosmetic surgery (D 2010)
That modern technology is a plague on human relationships (D 2010)
That we should ban solariums (D 2008)
That we should tax video games to fund programs that fight childhood obesity (D 2008)
That a mission to Mars would be a waste of money. (D 2006)
That the internet does more harm than good (D 2004)
That the Microsoft Monopoly must be squashed (A 1999)
That we should ban Internet gambling (B2000)
That we have more to hope than fear from the Internet (B 1996)
That public libraries should censor the Internet (C finals 2001)
That the Australian Government should permit Genetically Modified Foods (A 2000)
That we should support human reproductive cloning (B 2002)
That surrogacy should be legalised (B 1998)
That organ donation should be compulsory (C finals 2002)
That we should adopt an opt-out system for organ donation (D 2020)
That child immunisation should be compulsory (D 1998)
That injured patients should not be allowed to sue their doctors (B finals 2002)
That Ritalin does more harm than good (D finals 2002)
That all animal testing should be banned. (D 2021)
That animal testing should have no role in medical research (D finals 1999)
That voluntary euthanasia should be legalised (B 1996, C finals 2000)
That we should not restrict a smoker's access to organ transplants (C 2001)
That smoking should be banned (D 1995)
That the International Space Station is a waste of money (C finals 2001)
That space exploration is a waste of money (D 1999)
That space exploration is not worth the cost (D 2011)

Indigenous Affairs

That indigenous communities should be allowed to administer traditional justice. (A 2015)
That all educational institutions should reserve places for indigenous students (C 2015)
That we should reserve seats in Parliament for Indigenous Australians (D 2013)
That the government has failed Indigenous Australians (A 2012)
That the government should pay compensation to the Stolen Generations (A 2008)
That indigenous people should be punished by their own communities (A 2006)
That Australians should mourn 26 January as Invasion Day (B 2004)
That the Native Title Act has set back the indigenous movement (A 2000)
That White Australia should not apologise (B 1998)
That we are failing our indigenous people (B 1997)
That Aboriginal athletes should be allowed to carry the Aboriginal flag at the Olympics (C finals 200)

International Relations

That Australia and New Zealand should unify as a single country (C 2018)
That Australia is a poor international citizen (B 2012)
That the West should fear the rise of China (A 2010)
That the West should lift all sanctions on Zimbabwe (B 2018)
That Australia has become the 51st state of America (C 2004)
That we have more to fear from George W. Bush than we do from the axis of evil (A 2004)
That Greece should leave the Eurozone (A 2013)
That Spain should grant independence to Catalonia (A 2018)
That Australia should not provide military support to foreign conflicts. (A 2023)
That Victoria should abandon the Belt and Road deal with China (A 2021)
That Australia shuold end its alliance with the US (A 2017)
That we should open all international borders (A 2016)
That the West should lift all sanctions on Iran. (A 2014)
That the United Nations should be disbanded (A 1998)
That terrorism can be justified (B 1999)
That power grows from the barrel of a gun (B 1995)
That Australia should greatly increase its military spending (C 2001)
That we should have compulsory military training. (C 2000)
That we support mandatory national service (C 2021)
That Australia should not support a US war on Iraq (A Finals 2002)
That the International Criminal Court will be ineffective (A Finals 2002)
That Australia should not engage with the Burmese dictatorship (B Finals 2002)
That Australia should renounce its claim on Timorese oil (B finals 2002)
That we should thank God for America (B finals 1998)

Media, Entertainment & the Arts

That the Playstation has destroyed the playground. (D 2000)
That we should value literature more than science (D 2009)
That public figures have a right to private lives (B finals 1998)
That music is the most important form of art. (D 2015)
That magazines should ban photo editing.(D 2015)
That the ABC should only show Australian-made content (D 2022)
That the government should employ state artists (E.g. Poet Laureate) (D 2022)
That the government should prioritise funding the arts over sports. (D 2023)
That fashion does more harm than good (C 2009)
That we should legalise music piracy (C 2009)
That the Government should fund controversial art (C 2013, D 2005)
That streaming services (e.g. Netflix) made the wrong decision to ban password sharing (D 2024)
That television programs glorifying the military (e.g. SAS) should not be broadcast (D 2021)
That we regret the rise of cancel culture (A 2021)
That we regret the rise of streaming platforms (such as Netflix and Disney+) (A 2020)
That museums should offer to return historical objects to their country of origin (D 2017)
That we should allow advertising of prescription medication (A 2013)
That governments should not fund the arts (B 2010)
That we should abolish all domestic content quotas on TV and radio (C 2012)
That we should ban all forms of gambling (D 2012)
That we should tax video games to fund programs that fight childhood obesity (D 2008)
That celebrities have too much influence over teenagers (D 2008)
That we should abolish quotas for Australian-made television programs (D 2006)
That the government should not fund controversial art. (D 2006)
That the media should have unrestricted access to immigration detention centres (A 2002)
That we should abolish quotas for Australian content on television (C 2002)
That the government should protect the Australian entertainment industry (C finals 1998)
That government arts funding is a waste of money (A finals 1998)
That raves should be banned (C 1997)
That Hollywood movies should be true to history (D 2001)
That we should ban offensive music (D 2001)
That graffiti is a legitimate art form (D 2001)
That there is too much violence on television (D 1999)
That there is too much violence in entertainment (D 1997)
That tobacco advertising should be banned (D 1998)
That TV news is not the news (D 1996)
That TV stations should stop re-screening footage from September 11 (D finals 2002)
That we should ban violent video games (D 2011)
That we should ban beauty pageants (D 2011)
That we should ban "Baywatch" (D 1997)

Law and Justice

That we should impose mandatory minimum sentences for all violent crimes (D 2018)
That convicted criminals should not be allowed to publish accounts of their crimes (D 2019)
That we regret the rise of social media in fighting crime (D 2022)
That Victoria should not have privatised its prisons (C 2003)
That the police should hold the DNA of all Australians on a national database (C 2010)
That police should always carry tasers rather than guns (C 2019)
That justice is only for the rich and powerful. (B 2003)
That we should use prison labour for public works (D 2016)
That artists should be held legally accountable for deaths and injuries that occur at their concerts (B 2022)
That the government should not build safe injecting rooms. (A 2024)
That we should hold company directors & CEOs criminally responsible for security breaches (e.g. data breaches). (A 2025)
That the media should not be permitted to report on criminal cases until after the trial (A 2016)
That we should not permit the sale of alcohol after midnight (C 2016)
That indigenous communities should be allowed to administer traditional justice. (A 2015)
That we should abolish trial by jury (C 2015, C 2020)
That we should abolish all forms of incarceration for people under the age of 18 (D 2013)
That we should legalise all performance enhancing drugs in sport (D 2013)
That the police should not carry guns on the beat (B 2010)
That police should only break up violent protests (C 2012)
That the police should hold the DNA of all Australians on a national database (C 2010)
That we should have video surveillance in all public places (C 2006)
That we should legalise all drugs (C 2004)
That we should legalise marijuana. (D 2006)
That we should maintain the war on drugs (A 1998)
That all drugs should be legalised (A 1995)
That we should support safe injecting houses (B 2000)
That welfare agencies should supervise chroming (C 2002)
That we should decriminalise marijuana (C 2000)
That children who kill should be tried as adults (C 2001)
That arsonists should face compulsory imprisonment (D 2002)
That we support "at home" detention (D 2001)
That the death penalty should be reintroduced (D 1998, D 1997, D 1996)
That we should have the death penalty for terrorists (D 2003)
That we support a DNA registry for convicted criminals (C finals 2002)
That there should be a right to bear arms (C 1997)
That private citizens should not have a right to own guns (D 1999)
That we should ban private gun ownership (D 2020)
That we should use prison labour for public works (B 2011)
That judges should be elected (D 2010)
That we should have mandatory imprisonment for people who light bushfires (D 2007)

Humorous*

That the better the car the better the pickup (B 1997)
That Santa Claus is a justifiable deception (C 1998)
That the bride should wear black (C 1996)
That Pat Rafter is a worthy "Australian of the Year" (C 2002)
That women need men like fish need bicycles (D 1996)
That Brandon is better than Bart (D 1995)

*warning: humorous topics are no guarantee of a humorous debate.