Civics & Citizenship · Year 10 · The Legislative Process · Term 4

The Role of Political Parties

Analyzing the function of political parties in shaping policy, representing interests, and forming government.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9C10K05

About This Topic

Lobby groups and interest groups play a significant role in the Australian political landscape by advocating for specific policies or changes to the law. In Year 10, students analyze how these groups, ranging from environmental organizations to corporate industry bodies, influence government decision-making. This topic explores the ethics of lobbying, the importance of transparency, and the potential for 'unequal access' where well-funded groups may have more influence than grassroots movements.

Students investigate the methods used by lobbyists, such as direct meetings with MPs, media campaigns, and providing expert testimony to parliamentary committees. This study connects to ACARA's focus on the role of non-government organizations and interest groups in a democracy. To understand the 'push and pull' of policy-making, students benefit from role-playing a 'Policy Forum' where they must represent competing interests to a government panel.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how political parties influence policy development.
2. Compare the ideologies and platforms of major Australian political parties.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of political parties in representing diverse interests.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal National Coalition develop and promote policy platforms.
• Compare the core ideologies and key policy proposals of the Greens and One Nation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of political parties in representing the interests of young Australians.
• Explain the role of political parties in forming government and holding opposition.
• Critique the influence of party discipline on individual parliamentary representation.

Before You Start

Structure of Australian Government

Why: Students need to understand the basic framework of federal and state governments to grasp where political parties operate and exert influence.

Democracy and Citizenship

Why: Understanding the principles of democracy, including representation and voting, is foundational to analyzing the role of political parties.

Key Vocabulary

Ideology	A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. In Australia, major ideologies include liberalism, social democracy, and environmentalism.
Platform	A set of policies or aims that a political party or candidate intends to carry out if elected. Parties publish platforms to inform voters about their intentions.
Party Discipline	The expectation that members of a political party will vote along party lines, even if it conflicts with their personal views or the views of their constituents. This ensures party unity in parliament.
Minor Party	A political party that is not one of the main two parties in a country's political system. In Australia, parties like the Greens or One Nation are considered minor parties.
Coalition	An alliance between two or more political parties to form a government. In Australia, the Liberal Party and the National Party often form a coalition government.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Lobbying is illegal or 'corrupt' by definition.

What to Teach Instead

Lobbying is a legitimate part of democracy; it is simply the act of trying to persuade a politician. It only becomes a problem when it lacks transparency or involves bribery. Distinguishing between 'advocacy' and 'corruption' is a key learning point.

Common Misconception

Only big businesses have lobbyists.

What to Teach Instead

Charities, unions, community groups, and even student organizations use lobbying to achieve their goals. A 'mapping' activity showing the variety of groups in Canberra can broaden student perspectives.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Policy Forum

Students represent different lobby groups (e.g., a mining company, an environmental NGO, a local farmers' union) and present their conflicting views on a proposed new land-use law to a panel of 'Government Ministers.'

60 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Lobbying Tactics

Students analyze different campaign materials (ads, open letters, social media posts) from various interest groups. They identify the 'persuasive techniques' used and evaluate which are most likely to influence a politician.

40 min·Individual

Think-Pair-Share: Money and Influence

Students discuss the impact of political donations. They debate whether there should be a cap on how much money a group can spend to influence an election or a policy decision.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• When the Australian Parliament debates a new climate change bill, representatives from the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal National Coalition, and the Greens will present their party's stance, often reflecting differing ideologies on environmental regulation and economic impact.
• Voters in the federal electorate of Grayndler, represented by Anthony Albanese, will consider the Australian Labor Party's platform on issues like healthcare and cost of living when casting their ballot in the next federal election.
• The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) manages the registration of political parties, ensuring they meet criteria like having at least 500 members, which impacts which parties can officially contest elections and appear on ballot papers.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class debate using the prompt: 'Are political parties more effective at representing diverse interests or at maintaining party unity?' Ask students to cite specific examples of parties and policies to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short news article about a recent policy announcement. Ask them to identify which major Australian political party is most likely to support or oppose the policy and explain their reasoning based on party ideology and platform.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write down one policy area (e.g., education, immigration, economy) and then list one way a major Australian political party influences policy development in that area. They should also name the party.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lobbyist?

A lobbyist is someone who is hired to represent the interests of a group or company to government officials. Their goal is to influence the development of policy or the passing of legislation.

How does the government regulate lobbying?

Australia has a 'Register of Lobbyists' which requires professional lobbyists to register their details and the names of their clients. There are also 'cooling-off' periods that prevent former ministers from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office.

What is a 'grassroots' campaign?

A grassroots campaign starts with ordinary people at a local level, rather than being organized by professional lobbyists or large corporations. They often use petitions, protests, and social media to build public pressure.

How can active learning help students understand lobby groups?

By taking on the role of a lobbyist, students must research their 'interest' deeply and find ways to make it appealing to a politician. This active engagement helps them see that lobbying is a form of communication and persuasion, and it highlights the importance of having diverse voices in the democratic process.