Previous Public Debates
Public Debate 2, 2008
On the evening of Tuesday, August 26th, 2008, MUDS hosted a debate on the topic "That economic growth must be sacrificed to stop climate change."
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
| Professor Robyn Eckersley Chair of Political Science at the University of Melbourne |
Gavin Jennings Victorian Minister for Climate Change and the Environment |
| Sue Pennicuik Victorian Greens MLC |
Dr Peter Christoff Coordinator of Environmental Studies at the University of Melbourne and Vice-President of the Australian Conservation Foundation |
| Shaun Murray Friends of the Earth |
Adrian Whitehead Target 300 |
A recording of the debate is available: download (MP3).
Public Debate 1, 2008
MUDS and Oaktree Foundation
present a public debate on the topic:
That trade liberalisation is failing the world's poor
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
| Dr Brett Parris, Chief Economist for World Vision Australia | Tim Wilson, Director Intellectual Property and Free Trade Unit, Institute of Public Affairs |
| Michael Cebon, Coordinator of Fair Trade Watch | Dr Russell Hillberry, School of Economics, The University of Melbourne |
| Nicole Lynch, Melbourne University Debating Society President 2007 | Tom O'Connor, General Manager of Operations, The Oaktree Foundation |
Public Debate 2007
It's the Economy, Stupid!
That the Howard Government has failed the Australian economy.
Affirmative
Andrew Charlton (Economist and author of Ozonomics)
Ken Davidson (Columnist for The Age and co-editor of Dissent magazine)
Liz Sheargold (Debating Goddess)
Negative
Greg Hunt (Federal Member for Flinders, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs)
Ken Phillips (Director of Workplace Reform Unit, Institute of Public Affairs)
Alex Deane (Barrister, former Chief of Staff to David Cameron MP, World Universities Debating Champion)
A recording of the debate is available.
In the lead up to the Victorian State election, the Melbourne University Debating Society proudly invites you to a debate on a central election issue...
Come and hear expert speakers talk about Law & Order and sentencing issues of the Victorian criminal system.
If you do the crime, you should do the time....
That we should have standard minimum sentences for criminal offences.
| Speaking for the Affirmative | Speaking for the Negative |
| Mr Peter Ryan, MP Leader of the Victorian National Party Shadow Attorney-General |
Mr Ian Gray Chief Magistrate of Victoria |
| Dr Kevin Donnelly Former Chief of Staff to Kevin Andrews, MP |
Ms Jenny Mikakos, MP Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Justice |
Time: 7:30pm
Date: Thursday 11th May, 2006
Place: G08, Law School, University of Melbourne
The debate will be followed by a light supper.
Please email our public debates officer, Sarah Kemeny, for more details.
Public Debate 2005
The 2005 public debate saw an engaging discussion of women's rights and the role of government in the topic:
'Abortion: are we failing women?'
Should Medicare Funding Continue?
It included speakers such as Loane Skene (President of the Academic Board) and Leslie Cannold (Author of The Abortion Myth).
For those who saw the debate, it provided for an educational and at times confrontational insight into this controversial topic.
Public Debate 2004
'That local environment action is more effective than an international diplomatic approach.'
Speakers included Kelvin Thomson MP (Shadow Federal Minister for Sustainability and Environment), David Risstrom (Melbourne City Councillor for the Greens), and our very own fabulous Lucia.