Monash Law takes 2nd place in first MLS Parliamentary Debate
By Joel Law
Alexander Xing and Joel Cheng Yew Law emerged as Runner-up in the Melbourne Law School Parliamentary Debate Championship 2024. Additionally, Alexander Xing was named Best Speaker of the Semi-Finals.
The MLS Parliamentary Debate is a new initiative from the Melbourne University Law Students’ Society. With a large number of law students having studied, worked in, or being interested in politics, the competition provides a forum for students to debate important legal and legal-related topics in a parliamentary debate format.
The Grand Final was held in the Legislative Council chamber at Parliament House, Melbourne.
Alexander Xing was named Best Speaker of the Semi-Finals at the inaugural MLS Parliamentary Debate
All debates in the MLS Parliamentary Debate competition followed the British Parliamentary format. That means each round consisted of 4 teams in Opening Government, Opening Opposition, Closing Government, and Closing Opposition.
The Grand Final topic was “That this House supports raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old”. The topic was released 24 hours before the round and the sides were announced 15 minutes before the debate.
3 out of the 4 teams in the Grand Final were from the University of Melbourne. One team was the triumphant combination of Monash Law students Alexander Xing (3rd year Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of PPE) and Joel Cheng Yew Law (4th year Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts).
Alongside Alex Xing, Joel Law represented Monash University in Opening Government
Judging the Grand Finals were parliamentary debate experts:
- The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, Victorian Minister for Planning, Minister for Suburbs, and Member for Carrum; and
- The Hon. Michael O’Brien MP, Victorian Shadow Attorney-General and Member for Malvern.
In the Grand Final, Alex and Joel represented Monash University in Opening Government. They forwarded a passionate case about the importance of reducing early exposure of children aged 10-13 to criminogenic factors in the criminal justice system. They further argued that early interaction with the criminal justice system disproportionately harmed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who are currently overrepresented in the system.
Joel Law, The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP and Alexander Xing
After an exciting and very close debate, the judges awarded the victory to Judith and Vi in the role of Closing Opposition from the University of Melbourne.
The judges highlighted how difficult it was to pick between Opening Government (2nd place Alex and Joel) and Closing Opposition (winners Judith and Vi). In feedback, they commended Alex and Joel’s performance, highlighting Alex’s clarity and comprehensive arguments and Joel’s strong rebuttals and responses to Points of Information.
It was truly an enriching experience and a privilege to have discussed issues disproportionately faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Alex and Joel express their thanks to Melbourne University Law Students' Society for organising the inaugural MLS Parliamentary Debate, their coach William Lye OAM KC, FRI and Monash Law for the opportunity to represent them.
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