Policy Change Explained

Context
Over the last two years, the debating scene in NSW has changed dramatically. One of the biggest changes that has been seen is a shift in the topic style. Typically, topics were based on comparison. That is, “That A is better than B”. One example of this is “That take away is better than a home cooked meal”. Now, these comparative topics are being used less, in favor of another style of debate : policy change.
Policy change debates in particular have seen a marked increase over the last 3 years. One of the most clear pieces of evidence for this change is a comparison from 2007 to 2009 in the Premiers Debating Challenge for Years 5&6 in NSW (Acknowledged to be the largest debating competition in the southern hemisphere).
In 2007 there were 10 topics out of 40 which involved a policy change
25%
In 2008 there were 17 topics out of 40 which involved a policy change
42.5%
In 2009 there were 24 topics out of 40 which involved a policy change
60%

What is policy change?
In a debate about policy change, the teams argue about changing a ‘social norm’ to ‘something else – In the same way that our government argues over policy changes in society. Essentially, the affirmative team must put forward the motion for change, and the negative argues against the change, showing the benefits of the way things are at the moment. One example of this type of topic would be “That we should ban junk food advertising”. The affirmative has to explain how they would put a ban in place, and then the benefits of the ban – the negative shows the advantages of the system at the moment, and why the affirmatives plan would not work.