Composition

A usual sitting day in Parliament

House of Representatives yesterday afternoon

• Note how few are in the chamber during Members Statements, then walk in for Question Time.
• Note behaviour of members during Question Time…. 🙂
• Note how long it takes the PM to answer a question
• Note the role of Speaker during Question Time (remember, this is his first week)
• Debate over use of props (are ‘Diamonds’ scarves props?)
• Note order of Questions: one from the Opposition, one from the Government back bench
• @ 1:39:40 – Christopher Pyne warning of if ALP ever comes back
• @ 1:40:50 – Member for Griffith will excuse herself under Section 94a

Passage of a Bill through Parliament

More detail on the passage of a Bill through Parliament

A usual sitting day in Parliament

Watch Parliament live stream (and Question Time live via ABC)
And one clip from Question Time – but there are many others on YouTube!

And one for the ‘You learn something every day‘ file: The Federation Chamber of the Australian Parliament is an alternative chamber to discuss business for the House of Reps.

Content page for Fact Sheets from the Parliamentary Education Office

9Pope Wed 12.8.15
9Dewhirst Thurs 13.8.15 L7

Class discussion on reasons why people vote for who they do, starting with the issues studied about the parties:

• asylum seekers
• university education
• climate change
• one other issue important to you

Other reasons people vote for who they do?

9Pope Fri 7.8.15 / Tues 11.8.15
9dewhirst Mon 10.8.15

*** both classes finish by Thursday 13.8.15 ***

In a group of 3-4, spend a few minutes on these questions (write in exercise book):

• Name 3-5 Australian political parties that you know
• What do you know about them?

Research some of these political parties.
You should investigate the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party, plus two minor parties. (For a list of Australian political parties, try here)

• Why did each party begin? When?
• What group or type of person does the party try to appeal to (who might vote for this party?)
• From its website, what would you say is the major issue for this party? Why?
• What is the party’s position on
  • asylum seekers
  • university education
  • climate change
  • one other issue important to you

Work on each party together. Write these in your own words in your exercise books. 

Homework (9 Pope & 9 Dewhirst):

How did the shearers’ strike lead to the formation of the Australian Labor Party?

PLUS: 9 Dewhirst – Finish posters on 3 levels of Government

What is ‘Federalism’?
9Pope Wed 5.8.15 / 9Dewhurst Thur 6.8.15 L2

Why was it introduced in Australia? (see ‘History’ here)

What are the three levels of government in Australia?
– watch this video
– info page on 3 levels of govt (fact sheet)

TASK

Design a poster (A4 page)
1. explaining the concept of Federalism in Australia,
2. outlining the responsibilities and services of each of the three levels of government in Australia, and
3. include under each level the name/s of the house/s of parliament (for State, use SA)

Parliament, House of Reps and Senate

We saw in the last lesson about Direct vs Representative Democracy. Where do our representatives go?

Parliament – which is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate

The Australian Parliament has four main roles:

• Making and changing federal laws.
• Representing the people of Australia.
• Providing a place where government is formed.
• Keeping a check on the work of the government.

From the Parliament webpage, note how the Federal Parliament fulfills these roles.

 (9Pope Wed 29.7.15) (9Dewhurst Thurs 30.7.15)
From the House of Representatives page:
 1. What is the House of Reps’ role in forming the Government
 2. What is the ‘Government’ and the ‘Opposition’?
 3. Name and outline four important roles in the House of Representatives. Find who has these roles in the current Parliament (and include their picture)

House of Reps: APH page

From the Senate page
(9Pope Thurs 30.7.15) (9Dewhurst Mon 3.8.15)

1. What roles do the Senate play in the Australian Parliament? Briefly describe each.
2. Name and outline four important roles in the Senate. Find who has these roles in the current Parliament (and include their picture)
The Senate: APH page

23/7/15

Are rights and responsibilities different in countries that are not a democracy? Think of other countries or other times.

Are rights and responsibilities different if you are a tourist?

From what you have just thought about, complete

I am thinking of ‘rights & responsibilities’

From the point of view of someone from …

I think … [put yourself into the persona of a citizen of your country]

A question I have from this viewpoint is …

I think … [give a possible answer, it doesn’t have to be correct]

9Pope – Wed 22/7/15
9Dewhirst – Thurs 23/7/15

What does it mean to be a citizen?

What are rights and responsibilities?

What are rights and responsibilities of a citizen?

(Compare to: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/Why- )

Can you pass the Australian Citizenship Test?

Are these different if you live in a democracy vs other systems?