Civics & Citizenship · Year 7 · The Australian Constitution and Parliament · Term 1

The Role of Political Parties

Students will investigate the function of political parties in Australian democracy and their influence on policy.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9C7K02

About This Topic

Political parties form the backbone of Australia's parliamentary democracy, grouping citizens with shared views to contest elections, develop policies, and hold government accountable. Year 7 students investigate major parties such as the Australian Labor Party, with its focus on workers' rights and social services, and the Liberal-National Coalition, emphasizing free markets and individual enterprise. They also assess minor parties like the Greens, prioritising environmental protection, and the role of independents in crossbench influence.

Aligned with AC9C7K02, this topic requires students to compare party ideologies, platforms, and impacts on legislation through parliamentary processes like question time and committee reviews. Key questions guide analysis of how parties shape bills, form coalitions, and respond to public opinion, fostering skills in evaluation and perspective-taking essential for civic participation.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly, as simulations and debates transform abstract notions of power dynamics and compromise into lived experiences. When students role-play party negotiations or vote on policy resolutions, they grasp nuances like preference deals and minority influence, boosting retention and enthusiasm for democratic processes.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the role of political parties in shaping public policy and government.
2. Compare the ideologies and platforms of major Australian political parties.
3. Evaluate the impact of minor parties and independents on parliamentary outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary functions of political parties in the Australian parliamentary system.
• Compare the core ideologies and policy platforms of at least two major Australian political parties.
• Evaluate the influence of minor parties and independent members on specific parliamentary outcomes or legislation.
• Explain how political parties formulate and promote policy proposals to the electorate.

Before You Start

Introduction to Australian Democracy

Why: Students need a basic understanding of how Australia is governed and the concept of elected representation before exploring the role of parties within this system.

The Structure of Australian Parliament

Why: Knowledge of the House of Representatives and the Senate is necessary to understand where and how political parties exert influence and form government.

Key Vocabulary

Ideology	A set of beliefs and principles that guide a political party's approach to government and policy making.
Platform	A formal statement of the policies and principles a political party intends to implement if elected to government.
Coalition	An alliance of two or more political parties that agree to work together, often to form a government.
Crossbench	Refers to the members of parliament who are not part of the main government or opposition parties, often holding the balance of power.
Electorate	The body of people entitled to vote in an election; also refers to the geographical area represented by an elected official.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Political parties always act as unified blocks with identical views.

What to Teach Instead

Parties have internal factions and debates, as seen in leadership spills or policy shifts. Role-playing diverse voter scenarios in groups helps students see how MPs balance party lines with electorates, correcting oversimplification through peer discussions.

Common Misconception

Only major parties matter, and minor parties or independents have no real power.

What to Teach Instead

Minors and independents often hold balance of power, influencing legislation via preferences or Senate votes. Simulations of preference flows reveal this dynamic, as students track how crossbench support passes bills, building accurate models of parliamentary outcomes.

Common Misconception

Parties single-handedly decide all government policies without public input.

What to Teach Instead

Policies emerge from consultations, elections, and parliamentary scrutiny. Debates where students pitch policies to 'voters' highlight public influence, helping correct the view by experiencing negotiation and feedback loops firsthand.

Active Learning Ideas

Jigsaw: Party Ideologies

Assign small groups one major or minor Australian party to research key policies on economy, environment, and health. Groups create posters summarising platforms, then regroup to teach peers and complete a comparison matrix. Finish with a class vote on a hypothetical coalition.

50 min·Small Groups

Debate Carousel: Policy Hotspots

Prepare stations for issues like climate action or education funding. Pairs represent different parties, rotating to argue positions and rebuttals. Each rotation ends with note-taking on compromises needed for bills to pass parliament.

40 min·Pairs

Mock Preference Vote: Election Simulation

Whole class receives ballot papers with party candidates and issues. Students rank preferences, then tally results to show how minors and independents sway outcomes. Discuss real Senate scenarios like the 2010 hung parliament.

45 min·Whole Class

Gallery Walk: Platform Matching

Post statements on policies around the room. Individuals or pairs match them to parties using researched cards, then justify choices in a whole-class debrief. Extend by drafting a minor party platform on a current issue.

35 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Students can research the current policy debates in Parliament, such as those concerning climate change or healthcare, and identify which political parties are proposing specific solutions and why, connecting to the work of policy advisors in Canberra.
• Following a federal or state election, students can examine news reports and analyses to understand how preference deals between parties, particularly involving minor parties, influenced the final seat count in specific electorates.
• Investigating the platforms of parties like the Australian Greens or Pauline Hanson's One Nation provides concrete examples of how distinct ideologies shape proposed legislation and government action.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a short, simplified policy proposal (e.g., 'Free public transport for all Year 7 students'). Ask them to write one sentence explaining which major Australian political party might support this policy and why, and one sentence explaining which party might oppose it and why.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Imagine you are advising a minor political party. What is one specific issue you would focus on to gain more influence in Parliament, and how would you try to achieve this?' Encourage students to reference the role of the crossbench.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to list one key difference between the platform of the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal-National Coalition. Then, ask them to identify one way a minor party or independent might try to influence a government decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key ideologies of major Australian political parties?

The Australian Labor Party prioritises social welfare, workers' rights, and public services. The Liberal-National Coalition focuses on economic growth, small government, and business incentives. The Greens advocate environmental sustainability and social justice. Teaching through platform comparisons helps students discern nuances and avoid stereotypes, using timelines of policy evolution for context.

How do minor parties and independents impact Australian parliament?

They wield influence in the Senate via balance of power, negotiating amendments or blocking bills. In hung Houses, like 2010, they support minority governments. Activities simulating preference voting demonstrate this concretely, showing students how diverse voices shape outcomes beyond majorities.

How can active learning help teach the role of political parties?

Active strategies like role-play debates and mock elections make party functions tangible. Students embodying MPs negotiate policies, experiencing compromises and preference deals first-hand. This builds deeper understanding than lectures, as collaborative simulations reveal power dynamics, ideologies, and democratic checks, increasing engagement and critical analysis skills.

How do political parties shape public policy in Australia?

Parties craft platforms during elections, then form government or opposition to propose, debate, and amend bills in parliament. Public consultations and committee inquiries refine policies. Evaluating real examples, such as NDIS origins under Labor or tax reforms under Coalition, equips students to assess ongoing influences critically.