Debate on same-sex marriage plebiscite divides Q&A panel

Students on a Q&A high school special have taken aim at each other over the same-sex marriage postal survey, arguing over the "waste" of $122 million spent.

Lauren McGrath-Wild from Presbyterian Ladies' College in Sydney said she believed the survey was "the most realistic way to see great change in regards to LGBT youth and how they are perceived in Australia".
 
However, Geordie Brown of Oxley High School in Tamworth begged to differ, hitting back: "Respectfully, I think your comments about the plebiscite being a good thing is absolutely ludicrous.
 
"It is so ludicrous to suggest it's good thing," he said.

"It hasn't been a respectful debate at all.”
 
The teen said that while the media's coverage of the issue had been "quite tame", the comments on stories posted on social media had been "hurtful".
 
"There is such an abundance of disrespectful and hateful comments, which truly are making the LGBTI community feel so isolated and feel so un-respected in what should be a really progressive nation,” he said.
 
Fellow panellist Nadia Homem from Burwood Girls' High School in Sydney agreed. 
 
"That $122 million that went into that postal vote, that nobody even wanted in the first place, that should have gone to at least funding mental health programs for the LGBT youth into same-sex education," she said.
 
"It astounds me $122 million went into this divisive and intolerant plebiscite. And the same sector of education is being denied to LGBT youth. The mental health of LGBT youth has gone down drastically since the plebiscite came out."

She said the survey had "created a national platform to debate and pull apart and dissect the relationships of same-sex couples as though they’re not human".
 
Another student on the panel, Arthur Lim from Moorebank High School in Sydney, argued the vote was "necessary to ascertain public support".
 
The special episode also featured Education Minister Simon Birmingham and shadow education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek.

“I appreciate many people don’t like the process that may have come to this, but if it is a strong 'Yes' vote, then the type of positive affirmation is something I hope people will find very affirming as they look to the future and indeed it will be a positive endorsement of the change that will then ensue in relation to our marriage laws,” Mr Birmingham said.
 
Ms Plibersek echoed the students' concerns, saying those most affected by the same-sex marriage vote have had the issue turn into conflict with family over differing views.
 
The ABS is due to reveal the results of the postal vote next week.