Did Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology on the behalf of the nation to the Stolen Generations earlier this year mark a true beginning of reconciliation? Or was it merely a public relations exercise?

Both notions were put forward during the Sydney region’s second annual Aboriginal secondary students’ debate held at NSW Parliament last term.

The students, from Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt campus, Burwood Girls High, Endeavour Sports High, Rose Bay Secondary College, Alexandria Park Community School and Canterbury Girls High, debated the topic that “Reconciliation is a ‘sorry’ dream”.

The affirmative team, of Kayla E, Jonhathon C and Brittney C, argued that reconciliation was “not just a dream but a reality”.

The team’s second speaker, Jonhathon, said the Prime Minister’s apology “built a foundation of respect” and was a “noble step in the right direction” towards creating a better future for all Australians.

The negative team, of Tahjee M, Corey S and Jessica C, argued the gesture was about generating good publicity, was largely symbolic, and had not been followed up with long-term government policies that address health, education and economic inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The first Aboriginal MP elected in NSW Linda Burney – who at the time was Minister for Youth – adjudicated the debate attended by school teachers, students, parents and carers.

A participant from last year’s inaugural debate, Katarina H from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, chaired the event.

Sydney region director Phil Lambert paid tribute to Ms Burney and thanked her for her involvement.

“There’s no better role model in Australia than Linda Burney not only for Aboriginal people and women but for all Australians,” Dr Lambert said.

Ms Burney congratulated the “wonderful speakers” in both teams on a keenly contested debate that was won by the affirmative team by half a point based on their “more powerful argument”.