Sample Topics

A common issue encountered in regular debates is the arbitary nature of the debate topic, which although allow students to cultivate the ability to approach issues objectively, can often discourage beginners. Which is why here at John XXIII Debating, we believe that an enjoyable debating experience begins with choosing the right topic.

Our topics are all hand crafted and can be organised into four different categories. Teams then vote on fields which interest them before we select the topics to ensure that the debating expeirence is tailored to their needs.

Topics for the current round:

• Affirmative action by universities should be banned.
• The ATAR system should be abolished in favour of a new tertiary admission system.
• Senior school teachers should undergo a more rigorous training process.
• There should be a greater emphasis on the study of humanities in secondary school.
• For profit educations (excludes private schools), i.e. tutoring, should be banned.
• Secondary schools should not be allowed to expel students.
• Students’ ATAR should not be determined primarily by their performance in the final exam.
• Sports should not be compulsory in school.
• Universities should consider extracurricular activities equally as much as academic grades in their admission process.

Philosophy

• The state has no right to carry out death penalties.
• Access to technology should be restricted to adults only.
• There are no just reason for war.
• The quantity of life saved should take precedence over the morality of the life-saving endeavour.
• Consensual euthanasia should be legalised.
• The concept of nationality should be abolished as a legal distinction.

Politics

• The United Nation should be dissolved as it no longer fulfils its primary function of creating an international forum of impartiality for different countries.
• A centralised government is better for Australia than a decentralised administration.
• Billionaires should be required by law to donate 90% of their personal wealth in their wills.
• Governments should financially support companies that develop sustainable energy.
• Recreational zoos should be banned.
• Developed countries like Australia should donate a portion of its tax revenue to neighbouring developing countries.
• There should be a racial quota in the Australian parliament.
• Governments should implement policies that prevent human jobs from being replaced by robots.
• We should abolish primary and secondary school grades/years that group children based on age, and instead group them by competency and intelligence.

Science

• Genetic engineering technology should be used to bring back extinct animals.
• Scientists should be allow to ignore animal cruelty laws if it means saving human lives.
• Science has replaced philosophy and theology.
• Artificial intelligence, if sufficiently advanced, should be protected by human rights.
• Human genetic engineering should be legalised.
• For a sustainable future, the government should give vigorous support to technology development.