Young people grill Rudd over election promises
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Kevin Rudd talks to students during a question-and-answer forum with young people in Canberra. (ABC News: Renee Trezise )
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was forced to defend his government's record on delivering key election promises during a forum with 200 young people on Monday night.
The young Australians packed into the old House of Representatives chamber in Canberra to put Mr Rudd through his paces live on ABC1's Q&A program.
Climate change, a Commonwealth takeover of the health system and the economy were hot topics, but the audience were also keen to discuss issues affecting them such as the legal drinking age and racism against international students.
One student accused the Prime Minister of breaking a key election pledge to provide each student in years 9 to 12 with a computer.
"We've said a computer for every young person at secondary from Year 9 or above by 2013 or thereabouts," Mr Rudd replied.
"We're on track to doing that. We have about 260,000 computers out there at schools now. That is a fact."
The students were pleased they had an opportunity to pose tough questions to Mr Rudd, but there was some disappointment among the audience.
"Kevin was polished. I think he clearly anticipated a lot of the questions that were coming out," 24-year-old Kevin Wishart said after the forum.
"He managed to deflect a lot of the issues."
Australian National University student Fleur Hawes, 19, agreed.
"Partly a bit of political rhetoric again. We've heard it it all before," she said.
"But it was nice to see it in person and it was really enjoyable.
"I think there should be more youth forums to have youth voices heard in the community. Even if you aren't able to vote, at least have your voice heard."
Some participants felt issues such as same-sex marriage, financial support for university students, education and indigenous topics should have been covered.
"I think some of them [Mr Rudd] avoided quite cleverly," said 16-year-old Canberra high school student Amanda McDonald.
"I think some of the questions were quite carefully selected and there should have been more of a range."
During the forum Mr Rudd said he would like to see the legal drinking age lifted to 21 given that alcohol was a major factor in road crashes involving young drivers.
"If the evidence is there and it is capable of being proven that it works, then we (will) look at these things and make a decision," he said.
"Drinking rates of young teenagers is going through the roof and hugely affecting their ability to manoeuvre a car."
Mr Wishart says the forum is an example of Australia's unique democracy at work.
"To get an opportunity to talk to your elected official one on one in that sort of town hall situation doesn't really come around in many democracies," he said.
"It's a great opportunity and it's good of Kevin to come out and do it. And I think a lot the school children here will probably be a little more informed when they go to the ballot box. "
Canberra student Jacob Kairouz, 15, says the show provided a rare opportunity.
"I think it's fantastic that we get to have a say and voice our opinions to the Prime Minister," he said.
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