On Monday 14 September, a small group of Year 12 students put their hand up to gain studio seats as part of the live audience for the ABC National Forum. Hosted by veteran journalist David Speers, the event brought together policy experts, politicians and community leaders to tackle two of the nation’s most pressing questions: Is our migration system still working, and what does it mean to be Australian today?
The studio energy was palpable from the moment the floor manager took us through applause bootcamp and counted down to the live broadcast. For senior students whose interests align with Legal Studies, Society and Culture, Politics, and English, seeing national issues debated in real-time provided an unmatched practical context to their senior coursework.
The forum unfolded across two dynamic panel sessions. Panel One explored the historical foundation, economic drivers and human rights aspects of migration. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and author George Megalogenis unpacked Australia’s demographic transformation, while former Department of Immigration Deputy Secretary Abul Rizvi offered sharp policy analysis on visa structures. Human rights and refugee advocate Nyadol Nyuon brought powerful, grounded testimony to the panel, reminding the audience of the lived experiences behind population statistics.
The atmosphere sharpened during the second panel as political leaders clashed over policy directions. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly championed the strength of Australia’s diverse identity and social cohesion. In response, Shadow Minister Andrew Hastie raised critical points regarding economic resilience and sovereign capability, while One Nation Treasury Spokesman Barnaby Joyce delivered a robust critique of current migration intake levels and housing pressures. Watching David Speers expertly moderate the back-and-forth, demanding clear answers while keeping the discussion balanced, really gave students a masterclass in political journalism and debate.
The excursion was far more than a behind-the-scenes look at television production; it was a front-row seat to active democracy. Our Year 12 students returned to school energised, continuing the debate long after the studio lights went down and reflecting on their own roles as young citizens shaping Australia’s future.
Thank you to ABC Studios for this amazing invitation to such an exciting and important experience and conversation.
