Civics & Citizenship · Year 6 · Making and Breaking Laws · Term 2

Parliament: Where Laws Are Made

Students learn about the basic structure of the Australian Parliament and its role in creating laws.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K02

About This Topic

The Australian Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Representatives, which represents the people and elects the Prime Minister, and the Senate, which represents the states and territories. Together with the Governor-General, Parliament makes federal laws that apply across Australia. Students explore how this structure ensures laws reflect both population needs and state interests, connecting to the democratic principle of representation.

The law-making process starts when a bill is introduced in one house, often by the government. It undergoes three readings, committee review, and debate before moving to the other house for the same steps. If approved by both, the Governor-General gives royal assent, turning the bill into law. Parliamentary debate allows MPs and Senators to scrutinise proposals, amend them, and represent diverse views.

Active learning suits this topic well. Role-playing parliamentary sessions or mapping bill journeys helps students grasp abstract procedures through participation. These methods build civic knowledge and skills like collaboration and critical thinking.

Key Questions

1. Explain the basic structure and function of the Australian Parliament.
2. Analyze the steps involved in a bill becoming a law in Australia.
3. Justify the importance of parliamentary debate in the law-making process.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the three main components of the Australian Parliament and explain their respective roles.
• Analyze the sequential steps a bill must follow to become a federal law in Australia.
• Evaluate the significance of parliamentary debate in refining and approving proposed legislation.
• Compare the representation of the people versus the states and territories within the Parliament's structure.

Before You Start

Australia's System of Government

Why: Students need a basic understanding of federalism and the separation of powers to comprehend the roles of different parliamentary bodies.

Democracy and Representation

Why: Understanding how elected representatives act on behalf of citizens is foundational to grasping the purpose of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Key Vocabulary

Parliament	The national legislature of Australia, responsible for making laws. It is made up of the Queen (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
House of Representatives	The lower house of the Australian Parliament. Its members are elected by the people and it is where the government is formed.
Senate	The upper house of the Australian Parliament. It represents the states and territories and reviews legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
Bill	A proposed law that has been introduced into Parliament. It must pass through both houses and receive royal assent to become an Act of Parliament (a law).
Royal Assent	The formal approval of a bill by the Governor-General, acting on behalf of the Queen. This is the final step that makes a bill a law.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Prime Minister alone makes laws.

What to Teach Instead

Laws require passage through both houses of Parliament and royal assent. Role-plays clarify that the PM introduces bills, but MPs and Senators debate and vote, showing shared power. Group simulations reveal checks and balances.

Common Misconception

The Senate has no real power.

What to Teach Instead

The Senate reviews and can amend or reject bills from the House. Mapping exercises help students see equal steps in both houses. Discussions during activities correct views by comparing state representation.

Common Misconception

Debate is just talk with no purpose.

What to Teach Instead

Debate tests ideas, uncovers flaws, and builds consensus. Mock debates let students experience persuasion and compromise, shifting focus from noise to democratic process.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Mock Parliament Debate

Divide class into House of Representatives and Senate groups. Introduce a sample bill on school uniforms. Groups debate, vote on amendments, and track progress through readings. Conclude with royal assent vote.

50 min·Small Groups

Flowchart: Bill to Law

Provide blank flowcharts. Students sequence steps from bill introduction to assent using cards with key events. Pairs discuss and justify order, then share with class.

30 min·Pairs

Stations Rotation: Parliament Roles

Set stations for Prime Minister speech, committee review, Senate scrutiny, and Governor-General assent. Groups rotate, role-playing each and noting influences on law-making.

45 min·Small Groups

Timeline Challenge: Real Bill Journey

Select a recent Australian bill. Students research and create timelines in pairs, marking key dates and debates. Present to class, highlighting debate's role.

40 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Students can research current bills being debated in the Australian Parliament, such as those related to environmental protection or public health, and identify which government department or minister is responsible for introducing them.
• Local Members of Parliament or Senators often hold public forums or visit schools to discuss community concerns and explain how federal laws affect their constituents. These interactions demonstrate the direct link between citizens and the law-making process.
• Newspapers, news websites, and parliamentary broadcasting services provide live coverage of parliamentary debates and question time, allowing citizens to observe the scrutiny and discussion that shapes legislation.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a flowchart template of the law-making process with key steps missing. Ask them to fill in the blanks using the terms 'Bill', 'House of Representatives', 'Senate', and 'Royal Assent' in the correct sequence.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Why is it important for a bill to be debated in both the House of Representatives and the Senate?' Guide students to discuss how different perspectives and scrutiny improve laws, referencing the roles of each house.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down the names of the three main parts of the Australian Parliament and one specific function for each part. For example, 'House of Representatives: Represents the people'.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Australian Parliament's structure work?

Parliament has the House of Representatives for population-based electorates and the Senate for equal state representation. The Governor-General assents to laws passed by both. This bicameral system balances national and regional interests, preventing dominance by larger states. Visual models and role-plays make this clear for Year 6 students.

What are the steps for a bill to become law in Australia?

A bill starts in one house with three readings and committee scrutiny, then moves to the other house. Agreement from both leads to royal assent. Activities like flowcharts reinforce sequence, while simulations show debate's role in refining bills before enactment.

Why is parliamentary debate important in law-making?

Debate allows scrutiny, amendments, and representation of views, ensuring laws are fair and effective. It models democracy in action. Student-led debates on mock bills demonstrate how arguments influence outcomes, building skills in justification and listening.

How can active learning teach Parliament and law-making?

Simulations, role-plays, and station activities engage students directly with processes. Mapping bills or debating proposals makes abstract concepts concrete. Collaborative tasks foster discussion, correcting misconceptions and deepening understanding of civic roles, aligning with AC9HASS6K02.