AustralAsian Parliamentary Procedure A

AustralAsian Parliamentary Debate I. Format: There two opposing teams in an AustralAsian format of debate: 1. Government side-proposes and defends the motion; 2. Opposition side-refutes and negates the motion. Each side is composed of three members.

Debate Module

Government Side 1. Prime Minister (PM)-opens the debate, defines the motion and advances arguments; 2. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)-refute at first instance the case of the opposition; re-establish the government's claim, and advances arguments; 3. Government Whip (GW)-makes an issue-based rebuttal of the opposition's case and summarizes the case of the government. Opposition side 1. Leader of the Opposition (LO)-responds directly to the case of the government by giving a direct clash, and advances arguments. May challenge the motion if the definition is challengeable; 2. Deputy Leader of the Opposition (DPL)-refutes the case of the DPM, reestablishes the case of the opposition, and advances an argument; 3. Opposition Whip (OW)-makes an issue-based rebuttal of the government's and summarizes the case of the opposition. The speakers will be speaking in the following order: 1. Prime Minister 2. Leader of the opposition 3. Deputy Prime Minister 4. Deputy Leader of the Opposition 5. Government Whip 6. Opposition whip 7. Opposition Reply 8. Government Reply Rules

15 minutes preparation time printed or written material permitted electronic equipment prohibited 7 minute speeches

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AustralAsian Parliamentary Procedure A

Speaker Times 7 Minute Speeches 0-1min Protected from POIs 1min One Knock/bell ring/clap 1-6min Open to POIs 6min One Knock/bell ring/clap 6-7min Protected to POIs 7min Two Knocks/bell rings/claps Positions in the debate

Debate Module

GW

LO

DPM

DLO

PM

OW

II. Definitions The definition should state the issue(s) for debate arising from the motion, stating the meaning of any terms in the motion which require interpretation PM should provide the definition at the beginning of his/her speech The definition must: (a) Have a clear and logical link to the motion Average reasonable person would accept link Squirrels will be shot on sight (b) Not be self-proving /truistic X should/should not be done and there is no reasonable rebuttal X is already the case and so there is no reasonable rebuttal Status Quo cases are not necessarily unreasonable e.g. Were going to argue that the European Union should adopt the single currency
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AustralAsian Parliamentary Procedure A

Debate Module

its a fair definition, because there is a reasonable rebuttal

(c) Not be time-set All debates must take place in the present (d) Not be place-set unfairly The members should have regard to the international nature of the tournament. Definitional challenges The government has the right to define. Their definition is considered valid if it does not break one of the 4 rules above. If and only if the definition violates one of these rules may the definition be challenged. Only the leader of the opposition may challenge the definitionno one else. The burden to establish that the definition is unreasonable is on the members challenging it. Where the definition is unreasonable, the opposition should substitute an alternative definition that should be accepted by the adjudicator provided it is not also unreasonable. Definitional challenges (USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION)

How to Run a challenge o State that you are challenging o Give EXPLICIT grounds for the challenge o Offer substitute definition o Justify substitute definition o Argue Opposition to substitute definition Assessing Definitional Challenge
o o

The success or failure of a definitional challenge is crucial to the result of the debate. No team should be assessed as a loser automatically. A decision of this manner cannot be taken until the teams have spoken.

III. Points of information may take any form the offerer wishes questions, clarification, facts, challenges, rebuttal, even jokes POIs shouldn't be given for the sole purpose of destroying the other team's case. POIs should build your case up as well.
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AustralAsian Parliamentary Procedure A

Debate Module

Try to remain involved in the debate by standing on POIs, but do not harass the speaker by continually standing on POIs and saying things like "On Liberty", "On the Geneva Convention", etc.

Rules on POI First and last minute of speech are protected. POIs should not exceed 15 seconds member offering POI should stand The member speaking has control of the floor o Accept or reject etc Debaters should ideally take 2 points of information (if offered). there are no points of order or points of personal privilege How points of information are assessed? effectiveness and persuasiveness member offering point of information speaker answering point of information participation in debate as a whole IV. Argument: Heading Explanation Example Link VI. Reply Speech: Reply speech is a comparative analysis of the strength and weaknesses of the case of both sides. The aim of the speech is to give a bias judgment as to why should the people support the team's claim. The speech is first delivered by the opposition side and followed by the government side who will close the debate. V. Matter, Manner, Method: AustralAsian Parliamentary Debate is assessed by an Adjudicator Panel composed of an odd number according to the following criteria: A. matter (40)

matter is the content of a speech matter includes arguments and reasoning, examples, case studies, facts and any other material that attempts to further the case matter includes points of information
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AustralAsian Parliamentary Procedure A

Debate Module

The elements of matter relevant to the debate logical consistent within your speech, with your partner, and also with the other team on your side of the debateall members (except the last two in the debate) should present positive matter the govt whip may choose to do so the opp whip may not do so all members (except the prime minister) should present rebuttal B. manner (20) manner is the presentation of the speech the persuasion skills, and the conduct of the debaters.

Style

any element which affects the overall effectiveness of your presentation eye contact voice modulation hand gestures clarity of language and expression use of notes

C. Method- structure (40) include an introduction, conclusion, and a series of arguments use the allotted time properly dynamism and responses teamwork

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