Behind the News Excursion

Focusing on the big issues for young people

Recently, 14 Northcote High School students were lucky enough to attend the pilot episode for BTN High’s live Q+A, which featured a panel of teenagers from 15 to 17, all of whom had made their own various strides in politics and leadership. Rounding out this panel was BTN’s main host and our childhood icon, Amelia Moseley, as well as the Minister for Youth and Early Childhood Education, Anne Aly.       

Going through the ABC felt surreal, where we could see the sets for news broadcasts that is on Australian television every morning. We were caught off guard by the instructions from the audience manager, who gave us express instructions on how to applaud and when to laugh.

As we had our hands at the ready and hahas bottled up, the panelists gathered on stage and were introduced one-by-one. What followed was an hour of rich conversation about hot topics concerning our generation, like ChatGPT in schools, mobile phone bans, nuclear power, or the monarchy. Fiery debate ensued with each topic, keeping all of us on edge. 

Each question and topic were brought to the panel by a student, who would stand up and ask the question themselves from the audience. Northcote High was one of few schools who had two of their students’ questions selected, our brilliant Elias Zombolas and Tui Potter. Unfortunately, the broadcast ran out of time before we could get to them.

The closing question was about how young people, while not being able to vote, can participate in politics or make change for their communities. There was a call to action that echoed across the panel: get involved! Whether that is joining political parties or taking part in school leadership, a young person can still have a seat at the table.

It’s safe to say that all of us had a thrilling time at the ABC studio. Listening to some of the best and brightest of our age discuss these issues which concern our own day-to-day lives was so insightful and an experience that we’ll be vying to have again. 

~Alex Qu, Year 11