Do weneed a centre-right government ?
The election is looming, and to celebrate, New Zealand's premier debating society is hosting a show down between the
right and the left of New Zealand's political glitterati.
The debate; open to the public, with entry by koha, is being organised by the Victoria University Debating Society and
is supported by the University.
Stephen Franks, National candidate for Wellington Central will lead theAffirmative side arguing for a centre-right
government. He'll be joined byNational MP Chris Finlayson and champion Victoria student debater Stephen Whittington.
Leading side negative is Labour's Wellington Central candidate Grant Robertson, supported by Green Party MP Sue Kedgley
and champion Victoria student debater Polly Higbee.
The debate will be chaired by Sean Plunket, host of Radio New Zealand's Morning Report.
Each debater will have around ten minutes to speak, and a show of hands at the end will determine the winner. Tea and
coffee (and heated discussion) will be served after the debate.
The debate is the third in a series of public debates on important issues organised by the Victoria Debating Society.
Earlier in the year prominent figures debated the introduction of education vouchers and the controversial "God is Dead"
topic. Emily Bruce from the Society's executive said that the Society saw it as its role to "promote the importance of
debate and discussion, crucial to the successful functioning of a democratic society".
The Victoria University of Wellington Debating Society, founded in 1899, is the most successful debating society in New
Zealand and ranked as the 19th best in the world. It currently holds the NZ Impromptu, Prepared, and British
Parliamentary debating titles, and was the runner-up at last years Austral-Asian championships.
"That we need a centre-right government"
Date: Monday 6th October Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre One, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus, Victoria University
Gold coin donation. There will be refreshments after the debate.
ends