Wollongong Australs 2026 Open Grand Final: UNSW 1 v IGNOU RAV

Wollongong Australs 2026 Open Grand Final Info Slide: For the purposes of this debate, 'Gongzhou' is Earth's first planetary colony outside the solar system, set up by a limited number of humans. It has reached self-sufficiency. On Gongzhou, a vote emerges: whether to continue obeying Earth’s charter (which prioritises research and return missions), or to dissolve the charter and reorganise into a fully independent political entity focused entirely on local survival and expansion. Motion: That Gongzhou should vote in favour of abandoning Earth’s charter Affirmative: UNSW 1 (Oliver Bardsley (r), Maya Anderson, Jehiel Pather) Negative: IGNOU RAV (Raghav Dagar, Anshuman Mishra (r), Vishwa Raghav Raj Balakrishnan) Winner: Affirmative (5:2 split, chair in the majority) Adjudicator: Ally Pitt (c), Alexis Baraka Mcharo, Banun Sabri, Dohyun Kim, Leah Joy Rivera, Martha McKinney-Perry, Ryosei Kobayashi *Debating at university is a recreational activity. Speakers do not select the motion, or the side of the topic they speak on - these are assigned to them. Views expressed in these videos should not be taken to necessarily reflect the views of the speaker.