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List of media issues analyses published 2024


Victorian Certificate of Education Year 12 English students should look for the specially-marked outlines below, as these are suitable for 2023-2024 VCE date-specific tasks.



Castle law: should it be easier for Australians to use force against burglars and home invaders?

On May 1, 2024, Nick Dametto MP, Member for Hinchinbrook, introduced the Criminal Code (Defence of Dwellings and Other Premises-Castle Law) Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament. The bill is an attempt to change the Criminal Code in Queensland to allow homeowners and residents to take stronger action against alleged intruders without facing the possibility of prosecution or conviction.

The bill was introduced as a private members bill; however, Nick Dametto is the deputy leader of Katter's Australian Party (KAP), and castle law is a KAP policy.

By June 11, 2024, a parliamentary petition launched in conjunction with the bill to amend the Criminal Code had gained over 40,000 signatures. Civil liberties groups and legal authorities have opposed the bill.
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Should Australian universities ban pro-Palestinian protests?

On May 2, 2024, federal Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, accused Australia's university chancellors of being 'weak' and called on them to shut down pro-Palestinian protests on their campuses, claiming the protests were anti-Semitic.

Dutton also challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming he 'really needs to stand up and show some backbone here and call for an end to these nonsense protests'.

Peter Dutton's comments were made in response to Australian university student protests against the Israel-Hamas war and their claims that the Israeli attacks in Gaza constitute a war crime against the civilian population. Similar pro-Palestinian protests are occurring on university campuses in the United States, Canada, and Europe.







Should Australia demand rigorous online age verification?

On May 1, 2024, the Australian National Cabinet (comprised of all state premiers and the federal prime minister) recommended a trial of technologies that would allow online pornography providers to verify the age of those accessing their material.

This is one of several measures intended to reduce the incidence of violence against women in Australia. Exposure to pornography is considered a contributory factor in encouraging violence against women.

A year before, in March 2023, the Australian eSafety Commissioner submitted a 'roadmap' on online age verification to the Australian Government. It proposed that any online service provider that poses a risk of exposing children to pornography should adopt measures to prevent children gaining access. The proposed trial of possible technologies to achieve this did not go ahead.

Australia's growing concern regarding the murders and assaults against women has strengthened interest in online age verification. The effectiveness of the technologies involved, and their possible adverse side effects remain subjects of debate.






Should duck and quail hunting be banned in Victoria?

On January 29, 2024, the Victorian Government announced its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements.
The government announced two decisions. The first was 'Recreational duck and stubble quail hunting will continue in Victoria.' The government's second decision was that several new regulations would be introduced in 2025 to ensure that duck and quail hunting 'remains safe, sustainable and responsible.'
Supporters of duck and quail hunting were relieved. Animal welfare groups were angry and distressed. The Parliamentary Inquiry into Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements had recommended that the practice be banned, and this was the outcome most parties seemed to have expected. .




Should pill testing be available to drug users in Australia?

On January 8, 2024, it was reported that nine people were hospitalised (eight in induced comas) following the Hardmission electronic music festival in Melbourne. They were suspected to be suffering MAMD overdoses.
On October 1, 2023, it was announced that two men had died, and ten others had been taken to hospital after attending the Knockout Outdoor festival in Sydney. The two deaths were believed to be the result of drug overdoses.
State and territory governments have been reluctant to introduce pill testing either temporarily or at permanent fixed locations. The debate surrounding the harm minimization strategy continues.




Should Australia tax soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages?

On January 5, 2024, United States research was published indicating the success of sugary drinks taxes in reducing consumption.
On December 5, 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called on governments worldwide to increase taxes on sugary drinks.
On September 7, 2023, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) told a parliamentary inquiry into diabetes that a sugar tax would significantly reduce the $3.1 billion cost to Australia's health system caused by the disease.
On September 5, 2023, the Australian Dental Association also addressed the diabetes inquiry and called for a levy on sugary drinks that would increase the price by 20 percent. Several industry groups, including the Australian Beverages Council, the Australian Sugar Research Alliance, and the Australian Food and Grocery Council oppose an SSB tax.
Australian health authorities have sought a sugar tax for years but have not succeeded in gaining government support.




Should Australia introduce a four-day workweek?

On January 9, 2024, it was reported that the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is about to establish a working group to plan the trial of a four-day workweek in sections of the ACT public service.
On October 23, 2023, it was announced that Medibank would begin a six-month trial of the four-day workweek among its workforce from the end of October 2023. On March 23, 2023, Oxfam became the first Australian employer to announce a six-month trial of the four-day week with its 104 Australian employees. Despite high levels of support within sections of the Australian workforce and some.
employers there have been signs of opposition to the four-day workweek trials.
In July 2023, it was reported that the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) had rejected a proposed trial.
Public debate about the issue continues.




Climate crisis: Do radical climate activists benefit their cause?

On December 22, 2023, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) published a news report claiming a growing number of climate activists in Britain had been referred to an anti-terrorist education program, Prevent. This is a multi-agency body, involving police and others, intended to prevent potential terrorists 'slipping into criminal activity'.

This report has been seen by many as an indication of Britain's serious over-reaction to radical climate activists. Others have seen it as a condemnation of these activists and the disruptive protests they have staged.

The effectiveness of radical protests against the growing climate emergency is a question that is being debated around the world, including in Australia, Britain, Europe, and the United States. How governments and the public should respond to these activists is also being discussed.




The Voice referendum: Should Australia guarantee an Indigenous Voice to Parliament within the Constitution?

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will vote in a referendum on whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

On 19 June 2023, Parliament agreed that the constitutional amendment and question would be as follows:
Voters will be asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' on a single question. The question on the ballot paper will be: A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?
The supporting and opposing arguments for this proposed constitutional amendment are being debated across Australia. The Labor Party and the Greens support the Voice and the Liberal Party, and the National Party oppose it. Opinions within the Australian electorate are divided. A survey published by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on September 11, 2023, showed national support had dropped to 43 percent, from 46 percent in August.