Senior students at a Newington College assembly have been asked to fill out an ABC Vote Compass survey in front of their peers.

The tool is designed to help align your views with those of the major parties.

Ben Fordham has been contacted by a concerned parent:

Dear Ben,

There has been poor judgement shown by the Headmaster of Newington College – Mr Michael Parker – in a school assembly on Monday May 16.

It has placed some pupils at the school in an awkward and difficult position.

In front of the entire school assembly and projected up onto a screen… he made the 3 senior schoolboy leaders complete Vote Compass 2022…

It’s an ABC internet offering – that asks a series of questions – which then decides which political party suits your views best.

The outcome of this was the boys being placed in a difficult and very public situation.

They answered the questions in such a manner – that their political alignment was the Greens.

To place a 17 year old in this situation shows poor judgement.

Newington College has confirmed in a statement that the incident did occur at a Monday assembly.

Headmaster Michael Parker said in a statement, “It is important to stress that we are not attempting to push boys in one political direction or another – but to get them to be engaged as citizens”. (Full statement HERE)

“Students shouldn’t be used as props in the middle of an election campaign,” Ben said.

“When we vote we do so in privacy … a 17-year-old should not have been placed in this situation.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full