A school forum has given students the chance to hear about the political issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers from a range of different perspectives.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hawker College hosted the first Q&A-style forum on the topic at the Murranji Theatre, giving students the chance to ask questions about offshore detention centres, international conventions and resettlement in Australia.
Moderated by Education Minister Shane Rattenbury, the panellists included ACT Refugee Action Council Professor John Minns, Greens candidate for Ginninderra Indra Esguerra, Labor candidate for Kurrajong Leah Dwyer and ACT Red Cross representative Liz Hughes.
Federal Liberal senator for the ACT and assistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Zed Seselja was invited but could not attend.
Students asked questions from the audience and in pre-recorded videos about various issues surrounding asylum seekers and refugees, including conditions inside offshore immigration detention centres and whether Australia had broken international conventions on the rights of refugees.
Some audience members also asked whether an influx of refugees would cause Australians to lose their jobs; a contention with which the entire panel disagreed.
College chaplain Peter Malone, who helped organise the event, said the Q&A format gave the students plenty of opportunities to participate in the discussions.
He said some of the student leaders had taken an interest in the plight of refugees thanks to their classmates sharing their own experiences escaping persecution.
"There are a few students here who are refugees. One student in particular shared her story and her family's story from coming on a boat to Australia."
Students Rishi Sharma and Naomi Clements, in year 12 and 11 respectively, introduced the guests and volunteered in the organisation of the panel discussion.
Rishi said he found the discussion interesting and it helped clarify some of the facts on a polarising issue.
"The panel has discussed that Australia can do more, and I think we are beginning to do more," he said.
"I didn't realise how much diversity and culture refugees brought in."
Naomi said the school was an important forum in which to host the discussion.
"Not many young people know as much about the issue, so I think it's important to have it here where we can hear about it."
