31 August 2004
Three first-time student voters go head to head with politicians from three parties during a special election Talkback Classroom interview at the National Museum of Australia tomorrow.
South Australian Liberal Christopher Pyne, Tasmanian Green Senator Bob Brown and Victorian Labor Senator Jacinta Collins will make their pitch to the young panel and then be quizzed about their party's commitment to education, the environment and youth prospects in a deregulated economy.
The student panellists are seasoned performers who have grilled politicians before as part of the Talkback Classroom series. This the first time they have tackled three politicians at once and comes just days after news the Federal election will be held on 9 October.
The event is being convened by Australian National University student Kirsty McLaren, with three Year 12 students set to tackle the three politicians: Luke Bo'sher, Melbourne High School; Natalie Webber, St Paul's Anglican Grammar School, Warragul, Victoria; and Josh McCann, Casuarina Secondary College, Darwin.
WHAT: Federal election Talkback Classroom
WHEN: 9.30am, Wednesday, 1 September
WHERE: Studio, National Museum, Acton
Talkback Classroom, a joint National Museum and Parliamentary Education Office project, gives students media training and access to key politicians and public figures as part of the national civics curriculum.
Other guests this year include Governor-General Michael Jeffrey on 22 September and US ambassador Tom Schieffer in a live link with Washington students on 20 October.
The election Talkback Classroom interview will be broadcast on ABC Radio National's Life Matters program on Monday, 6 September from 9.30am.
For interviews, images or more information please contact public affairs director Martin Portus on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or m.portus@nma.gov.au