Voices of Victoria: Tony Abbott’s compulsory national service call sparks debate

Victorians have shared their thoughts on former prime minister Tony Abbott’s push for young people to complete compulsory national service.

Former PM Tony Abbott has called for a return of national service for school-leavers.

A push from former prime minister Tony Abbott for school-leavers to complete compulsory national service has sparked debate.

Mr Abbott proposed the plan on the Institute of Public Affairs’ Australia’s Future podcast, which would see school-leavers spending a “significant period of time” completing some form of service to the country, which could be working in a remote indigenous community, a nursing home or deploying in the Australian Peace Corps.

In this week’s Voices of Victoria poll, we asked: “Do you think there should be one year of national service for every student after they finish high school?”

Graham Michel

Mount Martha man Graham Michel thinks some young people would benefit from national service. Picture: Lucy Callander

“I’m not sure about the school leavers part of it but as a former nasho I very much support national service for young people. Perhaps it might be better to link it to the justice system? National service teaches discipline and while it’s tough it shows people what they can achieve when they work hard. Instead of giving young offenders community service perhaps they could do national service instead.

Tony, CBD

Tony is not a fan of the idea.

“No, because I think there are more productive things that young people could be doing with their time, developing skills and knowledge and developing their careers.

In countries that do have national service, Israel, Korea … I’m sure there are more I’m not aware of, it doesn’t seem to do a whole lot for them.

My own children who are young adults now, I’m glad they went to uni, and got degrees and have good jobs and are good people, instead of learning to put a gun together, and shoot people, and follow orders.

Brien Merrick

Brien Merrick supports the idea.

“Yes I think it’s a good idea.

(Young people) don’t want to work. It would teach them some discipline and life skills.

It wouldn’t hurt them. They could still come out and complete an apprenticeship. I think it would be great for teenage girls and boys.”