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Interactive

Discovering democracy: parties control parliament

Interact with a slideshow of images and text to explore the role political parties and independents have in Australia. Learn about some of fundamental principles underpinning the major parties. Complete a related task.

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Discovering democracy: getting things done

Interact with a slideshow of images and text to explore how change can be bought about by people taking action and putting pressure on their elected representatives. The issue of the Franklin Dam in Tasmania is used as a case study. Complete a related task.

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Magna Carta - Is it a part of your life today?

This unit of work consists of five classroom activities that introduce students to the Magna Carta, or Great Charter that describes the civil liberties granted by King John of England in 1215. The activities explore the key concepts established in the Magna Carta, including the rule of law and the parliamentary system of ...

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Discovering democracy: should the people rule?

Interact with a slideshow of images and text to explore the development of systems of government, from early democracy in Athens (where all 'citizens', a small proportion of the population, could vote), through the oligarchy in Sparta and direct democracy in Switzerland to Australia’s system of representative democracy. ...

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Discovering democracy: parliament versus monarch

Interact with a slideshow of images and text to explore the tension between parliament and the monarch in Britain in the 17th century. See how that led to a lessening of the powers of the British monarchy. Learn about constitutional monarchy in Britain and Australia today. Complete a related task.

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Biography: Federation people: Thomas Playford

Investigate Thomas Playford's role in the move towards Federation. Examine two different types of biographies of Playford: one short and the other more detailed. Inspect examples of how he was visually depicted in his time. This learning object is one in a series of objects in the 'Biography: Federation people' series.

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Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum Year 9 unit of work

This unit of work explores key concepts relating to Australia's federal Parliament in particular the key question 'What influences shape the operation of Australia’s political system?' It contains lessons and a differentiated assessment item with a marking rubric.

Online

Australian Constitution

This fact sheet summarises the key features of the Australian Constitution— the set of rules by which Australia is run—and how it can be changed.

Online

Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum Year 7 unit of work

This unit of work deals with key concepts relating to Australia's federal Parliament specifically the question 'How is Australia's system of democratic government shaped by the Constitution?' It contains lessons, differentiated activities, assessment items and a marking rubric.

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Year 6: Australia's system of government and citizenship

This collection of resource sheets for students and teachers explores the foundations of Australia's legal system including the principles that underpin the law, and the roles and operations of the court system with particular reference to Western Australia. A scripted mock trial examines the operation of courts and structured ...

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The Conversation: the Australian Constitution

A series of explanatory articles about how the Australian constitution is interpreted and its impact on the legal system and legislature. The series includes practical examples of when and how it has been applied, constitutional challenges including the issues surrounding indigenous recognition. Articles are authored by ...

Online

Magna Carta: The story of our freedom

This is a resource about the Magna Carta (Great Charter) agreed between King John and his rebellious barons in 1215 and its influence on the development of human rights and democratic freedoms to the present day. The resource consists of: an animated infographic ‘Tell the story’ with hyperlinks to further information; an ...

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Year 10: Justice at home and overseas

This collection of resource sheets support students to understand key features and values of Australia's system of government and the role of the High Court with a focus on the Western Australian legal system. The resources include a comparison between key features of the Australian and Indonesian systems of government. ...

Video

BTN: Why is citizenship important?

What makes an Aussie an Aussie? Is it loving Vegemite, playing cricket or maybe wrestling crocodiles? Find out about Australian citizenship and the ways someone can become a citizen of a country. What rights does citizenship afford you in Australia?

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The dismissal of the Whitlam government, 1975

On 11 November 1975, something happened that had never occurred before in Australia and has not happened since. It was the sacking of an elected prime minister, and therefore also his government, by an unelected office-holder, the governor-general, who was appointed by the prime minister. How could such a thing happen? ...

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Federal Parliament history timeline

This interactive timeline explores key milestones in the history of Australia's Parliament that led to federation and how the work of Parliament has influenced Australian democratic development since 1901. The timeline allows users to explore the milestones chronologically or follow thematic trails. Selected milestones ...

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Electoral pocketbook: an electoral education resource

The 2016 Electoral Pocketbook is a compact and comprehensive guide to the 2016 federal election, the largest election the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has ever delivered. The Pocketbook serves as a useful electoral education resource for teachers as it contains historical information about Australia’s electoral ...

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Australian Constitution online

Browse the complete text of the Australian Constitution with this easy-to use website. It includes a detailed overview by the Australian Government Solicitor and a 2:26 min video snapshot about the Constitution and its role in the governance of the Australian nation.

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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.

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Separation of powers

The principle of the separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. This fact sheet examines the role of each group and the related principle of responsible government.