PREMIER John Brumby was given a climate change grilling by Ashwood College students during a visit to the fire-hit school last week.

Mr Brumby joined the college as part of the Principal for a Day program, and spent the morning adjudicating on a student debate on the topic

"Is the state government doing enough about climate change?"

Undaunted by their distinguished visitor, the students held nothing back.

A speaker for the negative side, Daizy Maan, criticised the government's reliance on the brown coal Hazelwood power plant, as well as the Wonthaggi desalination plant.

Daizy also said the government needed to make public transport a more attractive alternative for motorists.

"It was a little intimidating debating in front of the premier but it was good," she told the Journal afterwards.

"It provoked me to learn more about a topic I didn't know much about before."

Affirmative speaker Michael Watson defended the government's approach to tackling climate change.

"It was great to have an audience with the premier," he said.

"I hope he takes on board what we had to say."

Before announcing his verdict on the debate, Mr Brumby said Victoria was a leader in climate change initiatives.

"The debate has mentioned a lot a conflict between the environment and the economy.

"The reality is, it's not an either-or; you can tackle climate change and create more jobs in doing so."

Mr Brumby named the affirmative team as winners.

During his temporary tenure, Mr Brumby also toured the school's performing arts centre, spoke to a class of media students and was treated to a preview of the school's next musical production.

He said the college was recovering well from a fire that caused $5million damage in June.

Jessica Bennett