Week 5
Join the Revolution?
This week is about:
Have a read of "Students deserve a say on their world's future" (just click on the image). Is this an issue that concerns you? How would you pressure governments to listen to your ideas?
- the ways an individual or group can influence changes to the law;
- how our system separates power between the judiciary, the Parliament and the Executive government; and
- the three levels of government and the division of powers.
Have a read of "Students deserve a say on their world's future" (just click on the image). Is this an issue that concerns you? How would you pressure governments to listen to your ideas?
What can I do?
Reference: Jacaranda New Concepts in Commerce (2019)
One of the best things you can do as an active citizen is to make sure you are aware of what is going on. This means reading newspapers, listening to podcasts, browsing social media, watching and listening to the news and current affairs programs on television and radio, reading politically related blogs and taking an interest in your community.
If you are unhappy with something, you can make your concerns known. You can write letters or emails to newspapers or to politicians or make submissions to government bodies. You might choose to lobby particular politicians; that is, meet with them and try to influence them. You can organise or become involved in public protest meetings or demonstrations. You can also add your name and address to a petition indicating support (or otherwise) for some government action. You can use the media, especially talkback radio, letters to the editor, blogs and social media as a way of publicising a cause. You might even decide to join a political party and try to get your ideas accepted as party policy.
One of the best things you can do as an active citizen is to make sure you are aware of what is going on. This means reading newspapers, listening to podcasts, browsing social media, watching and listening to the news and current affairs programs on television and radio, reading politically related blogs and taking an interest in your community.
If you are unhappy with something, you can make your concerns known. You can write letters or emails to newspapers or to politicians or make submissions to government bodies. You might choose to lobby particular politicians; that is, meet with them and try to influence them. You can organise or become involved in public protest meetings or demonstrations. You can also add your name and address to a petition indicating support (or otherwise) for some government action. You can use the media, especially talkback radio, letters to the editor, blogs and social media as a way of publicising a cause. You might even decide to join a political party and try to get your ideas accepted as party policy.
You've got to keep them separated now.
Reference: ruleoflaw.org.au/
The Separation of Powers describes the way in which the law gives power to the arms of government in Australia. It ensures government remains fair and accountable by creating checks and balances on the use of power. It is essential under the rule of law that the use of power is lawful, and can be challenged. Power is balanced between the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive, so each can act as a check on the power of the other. See the boxes surrounded by the for an explanation of some of the checks on power which operate in Australian Government.
The Separation of Powers describes the way in which the law gives power to the arms of government in Australia. It ensures government remains fair and accountable by creating checks and balances on the use of power. It is essential under the rule of law that the use of power is lawful, and can be challenged. Power is balanced between the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive, so each can act as a check on the power of the other. See the boxes surrounded by the for an explanation of some of the checks on power which operate in Australian Government.
Copy these notes into your workbook:
Federal, state and local
Do you know what each level of government is responsible for?
- Organise groups of 4 to 6 students.
- Choose one of these scenarios:
Bushfires in Tasmania
After a dry winter, a fire danger rating of ‘extreme’ has been declared across the state of Tasmania. Weather conditions are hot and windy, meaning that the danger could be upgraded to ‘catastrophic’ very quickly. Small fires have broken out near St Helen’s (population 1500) and may spread.
Olympics in Perth
Perth has won the bid to host the next summer Olympic Games. Athletes will be coming from all over the world to compete, and up to 2 million people may visit the city to watch the games.
Student protests in Brisbane
Thousands of students are taking to the streets in Brisbane to protest standardised testing in schools. The planned protest march will go all day and may disrupt traffic in the centre of the city.
Cyclone in the Northern Territory
A category 4 cyclone is just days away from the Northern Territory. It is going to hit Darwin, which has a population of more than 100 000 people. The winds are strong enough to damage buildings, and the cyclone is likely to cause flooding across the city.
3. Analyse the possible needs and consequences of the scenario. Who will be affected and how? Which services will be needed to help?
4. Develop a plan, including the necessary services and all aspects of administration, including communication, coordination, and human resources.
5. Ask a spokesperson from each taskforce to present their plan to the class and ask other students for their questions and comments.
Use this table to help you decide where services are coming from in your plan.
![Picture](/uploads/1/0/2/0/102025052/published/legal-5.jpg?1577949600)
The three levels can cooperate in planning for and responding to major events. In what other circumstances might they cooperate?
Which non-government organisations may also play a role in planning for and responding to major events?
Test your knowledge of the three levels of government in Australia with this game.
Week 6
This week is all about working on the assessment task: Legal Brief. Use it wisely.
Week 7
This week looks at:
- Who are the different political parties?
- How do we get a government?
- What is the significance of a parliamentary majority, a hung parliament or a minority government?
Who wants YOUR vote?
Use this link and read about the political parties in Australia:
Choose ONE of the political parties listed on the PARLIAMENT@WORK website and create a short fact file of that party. Include information about where it began and when, whose interests that party represents and values it promotes. Find out how many members that party has in federal parliament.
Create a CHATTERBOX that will quiz fellow Lifers.
Here's an example below:
Create a CHATTERBOX that will quiz fellow Lifers.
Here's an example below:
Government.
Reference: https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/parliament-and-its-people/government/government/
This fact sheet explores the role and functions of the Australian Government, including who is in the government, how it is formed, minority government and the principle of responsible government.
Forming government
The Australian Government is part of the Australian Parliament. At a federal election, the party or coalition of parties with the support of the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives becomes the government. They remain the government until they lose the support of the majority of members, which rarely happens outside of a federal election.
Although government is formed in the House of Representatives, there are also members of the government in the Senate. The government may or may not hold the majority of seats in the Senate.
Majority and minority government
Usually a single party or coalition of parties is voted in with a majority in their own right, which is known as a majority government. If no political party or coalition achieves a majority in the House of Representatives, the result is called a hung parliament. It is still possible for a government to be formed if a majority can be achieved through agreement with independent and/or minor party members. This type of government is known as a minority government.
Government responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Australian Government include:
Government roles
The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister, who is a member of the House of Representatives. They are elected by their party to lead their team, and have the power to choose other members of the government for important roles. The Prime Minister gives areas of responsibility for how Australia is run—a portfolio—to selected members of the government who become ministers for that portfolio.
Members of the government who are not ministers are backbenchers. They do a range of work for the government, including researching, participating in committees, making speeches and voting on bills.
Responsible government
To remain in government, a party or coalition must maintain the support of the majority of members in the House of Representatives. This is part of the principle of responsible government. It ensures the government is accountable to the Parliament.
In Australia, the principle of responsible government works together with the principle of the separation of powers to guide the way in which law is made and managed.
This fact sheet explores the role and functions of the Australian Government, including who is in the government, how it is formed, minority government and the principle of responsible government.
Forming government
The Australian Government is part of the Australian Parliament. At a federal election, the party or coalition of parties with the support of the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives becomes the government. They remain the government until they lose the support of the majority of members, which rarely happens outside of a federal election.
Although government is formed in the House of Representatives, there are also members of the government in the Senate. The government may or may not hold the majority of seats in the Senate.
Majority and minority government
Usually a single party or coalition of parties is voted in with a majority in their own right, which is known as a majority government. If no political party or coalition achieves a majority in the House of Representatives, the result is called a hung parliament. It is still possible for a government to be formed if a majority can be achieved through agreement with independent and/or minor party members. This type of government is known as a minority government.
Government responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Australian Government include:
- developing national policy—for example, plans for managing trade, foreign affairs, immigration and the environment
- introducing bills—ideas for new laws or changes to existing ones—into Parliament
- putting laws into action, through government departments
- making important decisions on behalf of Australians, such as whether or not to send Australian troops to war zones
- representing Australia overseas, through key spokespersons such as the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Government roles
The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister, who is a member of the House of Representatives. They are elected by their party to lead their team, and have the power to choose other members of the government for important roles. The Prime Minister gives areas of responsibility for how Australia is run—a portfolio—to selected members of the government who become ministers for that portfolio.
Members of the government who are not ministers are backbenchers. They do a range of work for the government, including researching, participating in committees, making speeches and voting on bills.
Responsible government
To remain in government, a party or coalition must maintain the support of the majority of members in the House of Representatives. This is part of the principle of responsible government. It ensures the government is accountable to the Parliament.
In Australia, the principle of responsible government works together with the principle of the separation of powers to guide the way in which law is made and managed.
Questions on notice
"How does the seating arrangement work in the House of Representatives? Can members sit anywhere apart from their own seats?"
In the House of Representatives, government members sit on the right of the Speaker’s chair with ministers on the front bench (first row). Non-government members – Opposition, Independents and minor party members – sit on the left of the Speaker’s chair. Shadow ministers sit on the front bench on this side of the chamber. The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition sit facing each other at the table in the centre of the chamber. The Senate has the same seating arrangement, with senators arranged on the right and left of the President’s chair.
Frontbench and backbench members have assigned seats. When Parliament is meeting, members and senators sometimes move around their chamber to sit with other members or senators in order to speak privately with them. During a division or vote, members and senators might sit in a seat on the opposite side of the chamber from where their allocated seat is located.
In the House of Representatives, government members sit on the right of the Speaker’s chair with ministers on the front bench (first row). Non-government members – Opposition, Independents and minor party members – sit on the left of the Speaker’s chair. Shadow ministers sit on the front bench on this side of the chamber. The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition sit facing each other at the table in the centre of the chamber. The Senate has the same seating arrangement, with senators arranged on the right and left of the President’s chair.
Frontbench and backbench members have assigned seats. When Parliament is meeting, members and senators sometimes move around their chamber to sit with other members or senators in order to speak privately with them. During a division or vote, members and senators might sit in a seat on the opposite side of the chamber from where their allocated seat is located.
Click on this image and ask your own questions:
Comedic gold
![Picture](/uploads/1/0/2/0/102025052/published/legal-5.jpg?1577998335)
Comedians have long used politicians as an inspiration for their comedy. How does this help us create a better democracy? Discuss.
Write or explain in a conversation.
Write or explain in a conversation.
Week 8
. On the "Law in Action" page there are SIX options:
Complete AT LEAST FOUR options in your workbook this week.
- Create
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Understand
- Apply
- Remember
Complete AT LEAST FOUR options in your workbook this week.
Week 9
This week looks at:
Voting can seem confusing, as Shaun Micallef explains:
- Why would you vote?
- How do you vote?
- How can you change laws?
Voting can seem confusing, as Shaun Micallef explains:
Or try this...
Your vote, your voice.
Australia is a representative democracy. All citizens aged 18 years and over have the right and responsibility to participate in Australia’s democracy by enrolling to vote and voting for people to represent them in parliament. Representatives elected to the parliament make laws and decisions on behalf of the nation.
![Picture](/uploads/1/0/2/0/102025052/published/legal-5.jpg?1578003188)
Open the "Voting-in-Australia" PDF below. Search this document for the answers to the following questions. Write these responses in your workbook:
1. Explain what "first past the post" voting means.
2. Describe how preferential voting works and where it is used.
3. Outline the process of proportional voting. Describe where it is used.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
voting-in-australia.pdf | |
File Size: | 4120 kb |
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Practise voting.
Australian Electoral Commission - A guide to enrolling and voting
As an Australian citizen aged 18 years of age or older, you have a right and a responsibility to enrol and vote in federal elections.
Enrolment and voting is compulsory. If you don't vote, you may be fined.
Find out more in the file below or head to https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/
As an Australian citizen aged 18 years of age or older, you have a right and a responsibility to enrol and vote in federal elections.
Enrolment and voting is compulsory. If you don't vote, you may be fined.
Find out more in the file below or head to https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
guide-enrolling-voting.pdf | |
File Size: | 214 kb |
File Type: |
Votes for young people
The voting age would be lowered from 18 to 16 if a private member’s bill introduced in the House of Representatives passes the Parliament.
Oct 21, 2019
Introducing the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill, the Member for Melbourne, Mr Adam Bandt, said, ‘Today's young people are also some of the most educated and knowledgeable young people in human history ... Yet most of the world's young people, including Australian teenagers, are denied the right to vote and to determine their country's, and therefore the world's, future, and that is why they have taken to the streets.’
Oct 21, 2019
Introducing the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill, the Member for Melbourne, Mr Adam Bandt, said, ‘Today's young people are also some of the most educated and knowledgeable young people in human history ... Yet most of the world's young people, including Australian teenagers, are denied the right to vote and to determine their country's, and therefore the world's, future, and that is why they have taken to the streets.’
Launch an election campaign and prepare for a referendum for this or another proposed change to the Constitution.
Hold a referendum
Reference: https://www.peo.gov.au/teach-our-parliament/classroom-activities/democratic-ideas/hold-a-referendum/
- Divide the class into 3 groups to vote, assigning each group a colour—red, blue and yellow. These groups represent the states.
- Download the AEC- Preparing for a Referendum and complete the questions.
- Using the referendum ballot paper template, create a ballot paper for your referendum. If you have access to coloured paper, you could differentiate the ballot papers of each group by colour.
- Hold a secret referendum ballot 1 group at a time and keep the ballots of each group separate from the other groups.
- Count the votes 1 group at a time with 2 scrutineers—people checking the count.
- Using the voting table, tally the number of yes and no votes for each group.
- Determine the yes/no result for each group.
- Determine the overall yes/no result.
- Complete the table to determine if the referendum was successful.
Here's what you need:
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
aec-preparing_for_a_referendum.pdf | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
ballot-paper-template.pdf | |
File Size: | 108 kb |
File Type: |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
voting-in-australia.pdf | |
File Size: | 4120 kb |
File Type: |
Week 10
Revise and review. Then head to "Law in Action"