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VCE English Issues: 2022 issues

Resources for VCE English orals

Australia Day

Possible contentions:

The date of Australia Day should be changed to a date more inclusive of Australia's First Nations
The celebration of Australia Day does not represent all Australians

Should the circumnavigation of Australia be marked as foundation day? Ted Egan thinks so
Reflect, Respect and Celebrate: By doing Australia Day better - 2022 represents a resurgence in support for Australia Day
Why Alex, and most people her age, have given up on Australia Day
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Australia Day date change a "no-brainer" for respected footballer
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Transgender athletes

Possible contentions:

That transgender athletes should not face additional barriers to competing in their chosen sports
That women's sports require policies for including transgender women

Transgender women swimmers barred from female competitions by Fina
Sport’s trans issue is here to stay. But at last, the debate is starting to change
IOC’s new transgender guidance criticised as unfair towards female sport
Administrators doing the two-step on transgender athletes
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Sports in dark over trans athletes bill: Transgender Athletes
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Vaccinations

Possible contentions:

That vaccination mandates should be scrapped
That certain occupations and industries should still be subject to mandatory vaccinations to ensure the health of the public
That Covid vaccinations for children should be compulsory

Wages and Workers

Possible contentions:

That the minimum wage for Australian Workers should be increased
That Australian workers should be allowed to continue working from home if they wish
That Australian companies should continue flexible working-from-home arrangements post-pandemic

Minumum wage

Working from home

Julia Gillard says Covid-led shift to remote working could render some female employees ‘invisible’
Work from home is the new normal as employers struggle to make the daily grind work
Atlassian invites Tesla staff to join: Work from home rules
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Workers 'can't afford' return to the office
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Employers get flexible to retain staff
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Reconciliation

Possible contentions:

Australia should have a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice to Parliament
The Australian Government should make a formal treaty with Australia's First Nations
The Australian Government should act to implement the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart

‘Ready to take on the challenge’: Linda Burney on the Uluru statement, treaty and building consensus
Voice, treaty, truth: what does Labor’s commitment to Uluru Statement from the Heart mean?
Thirty years after Mabo, First Nations people are on the verge of true self-determination. We hope not to be disappointed
Uluru Statement is not just the right way, it is inevitable
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‘Common ground’ needed on First Nations Voice to parliament
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Indigenous Voice could reshape nation
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Fuel and energy

Possible contentions:

That Australia needs to look past politics and take urgent action on renewable energy
That the Australian Government should more heavily regulate fuel prices
That all fossil fuels should be phased out and replaced by renewables

The Climate Crisis

Possible contentions:

Addressing climate change is a social justice issue, as well as an environmental one
The Australian Government must do more to address climate change
Addressing climate change is not a "luxury issue", but a matter of national emergency
That addressing climate change is an economic emergency as well as an environmental one

The climate crisis is hitting the planet’s working classes the hardest and they know it
Senator Hollie Hughes says climate change a ‘luxury issue’ for voters
Lismore’s residents are living in limbo on the frontlines of the climate emergency
Heavy industries in Australia’s regions could cut emissions by 80% and create a jobs bonanza, report says
Climate emergency, public opinion mobilising business
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Flooding victims ‘do not blame climate’
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The classical liberal solution to climate change is a carbon price
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Australian Politics

Possible contentions:

That the major political parties are no longer relevant to young voters
That all Australian political parties should have diversity and inclusion quotas
That the major political parties need to be more inclusive and diverse if they are to remain relevant
That minor parties and independents are a force for good in an outdated political system

The teal peril: power without responsibility
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Teal independents: who are they and how did they upend Australia’s election?
Election gives both parties a lesson: respect women
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Athletes behaving badly

Possible contentions:

That professional sports people have a responsibility to behave as good role models
That male professional athletes should receive training on respectful behaviour towards women
That Australian football codes need to work harder at becoming inclusive
That racism and homophobia are still endemic in the AFL