Inside Parliament: representation and law-making

Before the program, students could:

• Read our fact sheets to learn about our system of government: Australian Parliament, how government is formed and the work of senators and members of the House of Representatives.
• Review the responsibilities of the three levels of government with the federal, state and local game. 
• Discover how the party system operates in Australia with the create political parties classroom activity.
• Explore the role of members of parliament and how they represent communities around Australia with the create your own electorate activity.

• Use one device to dial in. Use a laptop/tablet with a camera, microphone and web browser.
• Position your camera so the class is visible to the PEO educator.
• Most teachers use a smartboard or TV – make sure you check the speakers/microphone settings in Teams.
• Seat students near the microphone or have space for them to approach it.
• Do not record the session.
• A teacher or adult must remain with the group throughout the digital programs as part of our risk management policy and commitment to child safety.
• We appreciate your help in managing behaviour and facilitating activities and discussions. 

Continue the learning in your classroom with these activities: 

• Discover how bills – proposed laws – are introduced, debated and voted on in the House of Representatives by turning your class into a Parliament and doing it yourselves! Find everything you will need in the make a law: House of Representatives classroom activity.
• Discover the different types of speeches senators and members make in Parliament by running the make speeches activity.
• Explore the passage of a bill by following a bill through the Australian Parliament using the pass the bill interactive.
• Check your students’ understanding of the law-making process with the bills and laws quiz.