The Tasmanian Debating Union is Tasmania's premier debating organisation for schools level competition, training and development. The TDU was founded in 1981 and is the sole Tasmanian affiliate of the Australian Debating Federation.
The TDU organises and conducts schools competitions for all levels of secondary education in southern Tasmania, and works with partners in the north of the state and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to conduct an annual statewide tournament.
The TDU also undertakes training and development of debaters and adjudicators across the state, and each year selects a team to represent Tasmania at the Australian Debating Championships.
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This year, the TDU will select a squad of students to train together prior to selection of the 2027 State Debating Team. The squad will train between October 2026 and January 2027, with the State Team selected in late January 2027. Participation in the squad is a prerequisite for selection to the 2027 State Team. Registrations for squad selection sessions are now open.
Anyone who will be a full-time secondary student in Tasmania in 2027 is eligible for selection to the squad. There is no minimum level of debating experience or proximity to Hobart required to be selected, and all interested students from throughout the state are welcome and encouraged to attend trials. Trials will take place online, via Zoom, from 10:30am to 4:30pm on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September 2026. Students interested in selection to the squad are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible, and attending all four is recommended. (Please contact Charlie Pilkington at chiefadjudicator@tdu.org.au or Kathryn Ellis at president@tdu.org.au if you are interested in selection to the squad but unable to attend any of the selection sessions.)
More information, and the registration form for trials, can be found here. Please contact Charlie Pilkington at chiefadjudicator@tdu.org.au or Kathryn Ellis at president@tdu.org.au with any questions.