Discovering democracy: Parties control parliament

 

collections_Parties control parliament

Copyright Education Services Australia

Resource title: Discovering democracy: Parties control parliament

Digital resource identifier: L9521

Resource description

This learning object explores the role of political parties and how they represent the people of Australia. It also provides a description of the major Australian political parties and a snapshot of their fundamental principles. It also looks at the role of Independent politicians.

Stage of schooling: Lower Secondary

CCE focus: Government and Government and Law

Context

Students are able to explore the different political parties in Australia and how they represent various groups of Australian society. Through this investigation, aspects of Australian identity can also be explored, including its multi-faceted nature and the need for a variety of political platforms to represent the views of all Australians.

Opportunities for Civics and Citizenship learning

‘Discovering democracy: Parties control parliament’ provides opportunities for students to:

  • identify the key Australian political parties and who they represent

  • consider the relationship between political parties and Australian identity

  • explore strategies for developing a political party identity

  • examine their own values and how this would impact on their choices of government.

Ideas for the classroom

  • Introduce the topic of Australian political parties and ask students to identify some of the parties.

  • Ask students to work through the learning object. 

  • Discuss each of the political parties and ask students which sections of the community they think they represent.

  • Ask students if there may be sections of society that feel they are not represented. List these on the board.

  • Ask students to choose one of these groups and create a new political party to represent their interests. Part of their task will be to decide what the party is to be called and what their core values will be.

  • Finish the topic by asking students to present their new party and its policies. The class can then be asked who they would vote for and why.