On 30 August 2018 China Matters held its Fifth Young Professionals Debate featuring one young professional and one special guest on each debate team.
The two teams debated the question:
‘Could Australia withstand PRC economic retaliation?’
Team 1 on the affirmative: Jeremy Thorpe and Aaron Lovell
Team 2 on the negative: John McCarthy and Catherine Perry
Moderated by: Mercedes Page
The evening saw a lively discussion between panellists and the audience, debating issues including effect of economic retaliation on resources, tourism, and education sectors.
Jeremy Thorpe and Aaron Lovell on the affirmative team were voted by the audience as the winning team for putting forward the most convincing argument.