Why the number of year 12s studying Australian politics has plummeted

Australian politics could cease to be offered to Year 12 students due to plummeting enrolments.

Fewer than 200 VCE students took the subject last year.

Frank Bongiorno, who teaches Australian politics at the Australian National University, says “the disillusionment and perhaps declining trust” in politics is likely behind the subject’s falling popularity.

Press PLAY below to hear why students have lost interest in Australian politics

But he says it’s important students learn about domestic politics.

“It’s important, I think, that we know how the system works … having at least some basic appreciation of where responsibilities for different things like, I think, is important to citizen in a democracy.”