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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Max Craven, Year 10
Max Craven applied and was selected to attend the 2022 Civics and Citizenship Pilot Program on the 27th of October at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne, along with 29 other students selected to represent Victoria. The one-day hub was run virtually from Canberra, with students from each state and territory joining the program.
The aim of the Pilot Program was to increase young Australians’ knowledge about the Australian Constitution and the role it plays in our democracy and provide an opportunity for students in Years 9 and 10 to represent their state in a convention which enabled students to explore a contemporary constitutional issue and encourage students to become better informed about the Australian system of government and how the Australian Constitution provides the framework for our democracy. This opportunity aimed to encourage students to take an active interest in the traditions, processes and practices of government.
Recently, I was fortunate to have been selected to represent Victoria in a national constitutional convention. The purpose of the convention was to bring Year 9 and 10 students from around the country together, to discuss, debate and vote on whether Australia should retain compulsory voting in elections. I was really interested in applying after two particular experiences that I had this year: one was work experience with Federal MP Libby Coker and seeing how important it was for her to listen to people in her electorate, who wanted to bring important issues to her; and the other was the amazing Cape York experience I had. In Cape York, I saw just how far away people are from the decisions that politicians make and how important it is that they are represented.
On the day of the convention (October 27th) I joined a small number of other Victorian delegates at the Hotel Windsor, in Melbourne, from where we participated with students from other states and territories, remotely. Based in the ballroom at the Windsor, we were guided through the day by the very well- renowned academic and writer, John Warhurst, who facilitated from The Old Parliament House in Canberra.
We spent the morning listening to various academics telling us about their research into the history of democracies around the world and examined the very interesting history of how voting rights in Australia especially, were fought for and won. We learnt more about women and indigenous Australians’ battles to win the right to vote. Each speaker was certainly in favour of compulsory voting, but also presented opponents’ views. I had not realised that Australia was an example to the world of compulsory voting.
Delegates from around the country were able to contribute their thoughts on compulsory voting and one of the most enjoyable parts of the day was the ‘soapbox’ session. During this session, delegates shared their honest views on voting, even if they weren’t very popular! I went into the day feeling very strongly about the rights of all people to express their views and have a say on who rules. Listening to some people argue that not everyone deserved to vote (correct – there was a rather controversial view expressed by a NSW delegate that only the most educated of the population deserve to, which, rightly so, was met with many shocked expressions and “enthusiastic” responses) made me wonder if those in powerful positions simply want to retain those positions by silencing others.
At the close of the day, all of the material documenting our discussions, comments and the results of our own voting, was presented to the president of the Senate, Sue Lines, who was really generous answering questions about her role in the parliament and her career in general.
I was really impressed by the students I listened to and worked with on the day and, as you would expect from The Windsor, I was well fed during what was a long day! I have come away from the experience realising that we are incredibly lucky to live in a country with an extremely democratic and fair electoral system that is not afforded to citizens of other countries. The convention has made me feel a stronger urge to act on the various issues faced in our society and assist as many people as possible, making sure their voices are heard.
Max Craven, Year 10
Feature
Events
Our News // 04 November 2022
Article by Max Craven, Year 10
Max Craven applied and was selected to attend the 2022 Civics and Citizenship Pilot Program on the 27th of October at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne, along with 29 other students selected to represent Victoria. The one-day hub was run virtually from Canberra, with students from each state and territory joining the program.
The aim of the Pilot Program was to increase young Australians’ knowledge about the Australian Constitution and the role it plays in our democracy and provide an opportunity for students in Years 9 and 10 to represent their state in a convention which enabled students to explore a contemporary constitutional issue and encourage students to become better informed about the Australian system of government and how the Australian Constitution provides the framework for our democracy. This opportunity aimed to encourage students to take an active interest in the traditions, processes and practices of government.
Recently, I was fortunate to have been selected to represent Victoria in a national constitutional convention. The purpose of the convention was to bring Year 9 and 10 students from around the country together, to discuss, debate and vote on whether Australia should retain compulsory voting in elections. I was really interested in applying after two particular experiences that I had this year: one was work experience with Federal MP Libby Coker and seeing how important it was for her to listen to people in her electorate, who wanted to bring important issues to her; and the other was the amazing Cape York experience I had. In Cape York, I saw just how far away people are from the decisions that politicians make and how important it is that they are represented.
On the day of the convention (October 27th) I joined a small number of other Victorian delegates at the Hotel Windsor, in Melbourne, from where we participated with students from other states and territories, remotely. Based in the ballroom at the Windsor, we were guided through the day by the very well- renowned academic and writer, John Warhurst, who facilitated from The Old Parliament House in Canberra.
We spent the morning listening to various academics telling us about their research into the history of democracies around the world and examined the very interesting history of how voting rights in Australia especially, were fought for and won. We learnt more about women and indigenous Australians’ battles to win the right to vote. Each speaker was certainly in favour of compulsory voting, but also presented opponents’ views. I had not realised that Australia was an example to the world of compulsory voting.
Delegates from around the country were able to contribute their thoughts on compulsory voting and one of the most enjoyable parts of the day was the ‘soapbox’ session. During this session, delegates shared their honest views on voting, even if they weren’t very popular! I went into the day feeling very strongly about the rights of all people to express their views and have a say on who rules. Listening to some people argue that not everyone deserved to vote (correct – there was a rather controversial view expressed by a NSW delegate that only the most educated of the population deserve to, which, rightly so, was met with many shocked expressions and “enthusiastic” responses) made me wonder if those in powerful positions simply want to retain those positions by silencing others.
At the close of the day, all of the material documenting our discussions, comments and the results of our own voting, was presented to the president of the Senate, Sue Lines, who was really generous answering questions about her role in the parliament and her career in general.
I was really impressed by the students I listened to and worked with on the day and, as you would expect from The Windsor, I was well fed during what was a long day! I have come away from the experience realising that we are incredibly lucky to live in a country with an extremely democratic and fair electoral system that is not afforded to citizens of other countries. The convention has made me feel a stronger urge to act on the various issues faced in our society and assist as many people as possible, making sure their voices are heard.
Max Craven, Year 10
