Teacher and student workbooks

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The key institutions of Australia’s democratic system of government based on the Westminster system (ACHASSK143)

• Understanding the bicameral system.
• Composition and roles of both houses.
• Difference between electoral districts and regions.
• The main roles of a member of Parliament.

The roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government (ACHASSK144)

• A clear explanation of local, state and federal governments, including concurrent powers.
• Individual or cooperative learning activity.

The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia’s democracy (ACHASSK116)

• The electoral cycle in Western Australia.
• How state members of Parliament represent their communities.
• Individual and class activity, exploring local members, districts and regions.

How laws are initiated and passed through Parliament (ACHASSK146)

• The difference between rules and laws.
• How bills become laws.
• Class activity in the drafting and introduction of a bill, and an individual activity on the passage of legislation.

Teacher Resource Notes

• Who can be an Australian citizen, the formal rights and responsibilities, and shared values of Australian citizenship (ACHASSK147).
• The key values that underpin Australia’s democracy, including freedom, equality, fairness and justice (ACHASSK115).
• The key institutions of Australia’s democratic system of government based on the Westminster system (ACHASSK143).
• How laws are initiated and passed through the federal (and state) Parliament (ACHASSK146).
• The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia’s democracy (ACHASSK116).

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Module 1

The division of powers between local, state/territory and federal levels of government in Australia (ACHCK048)

Learn how the three tiers of government impact upon Elsie and Ellay’s daily lives.

Module 2

The concept of the separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary and how it seeks to prevent the excessive concentration of power (ACHCK048)

Meet Parliamentary Pat, Executive Ewan and Judiciary Jane, the Tripod Party Planners, who symbolise the three different branches of our Westminster system of democracy.

Module 3

How citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups and direct action (ACHCK062)

The freedoms that enable active participation in Australia’s democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (ACHCK61)

Elsie and Ellay campaign to save their school from closure. Learn how to participate in democracy by undertaking a lively lobbying exercise.

Module 4

How laws are made in Australia through Parliaments (ACHCK063)

What does soccer have to do with how laws are made in Western Australia? In this module, absolutely everything! Elsie and Ellay use this analogy to explain how a law is passed in State Parliament.

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Module 1

The role of political parties and independent representatives in Australia’s system of government, including the formation of governments (ACHCK075)

• Political parties in Western Australia.
• Independent members.
• The bicameral system of Parliament.

Module 2

How Citizens’ choices are shaped at election time (ACHCK076)

• Active citizenship.
• Election campaigning.
• Community consultation.

Module 3

How social media is used to influence people’s understanding of issues (ACHCK076)

• How social media influences the community.
• Women’s suffrage.
• Presenting a petition.

Module 4

The safeguards that protect Australia’s democratic system and society, including shared values and the right to dissent within the bounds of law (ACHCK094)

The key features and values of Australia’s system of government (ACHCK090)

• The safeguards of Western Australian democracy.
• The Western Australian constitution.
• Shared values and the right to dissent.
• Hansard.