Year 5: Civics And Citizenship - Weebly

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Year 5: Civics And Citizenship © 2014 Ready-Ed PublicationsPrinted in AustraliaAuthor: Lindsay MarshTypesetting and Design: Shay HowardIllustrators: Terry Allen, Alison Mutton

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Published by:

Ready-Ed PublicationsPO Box 276 Greenwood WA [email protected]

ISBN: 978 186 397 898 9

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ContentsNational Curriculum Links 4Teachers' Notes 5 Section One: Government And DemocracyWhat Is A Democracy? 7Democratic Values - Freedom 8Democratic Values - Equality 9Who We Vote For - Our Representatives 10A "Good" Representative 11The Secret Ballot 12Who Has The Right To Vote In Australia? 1 13Who Has The Right To Vote In Australia? 2 14Preferential Voting 1 15Preferential Voting 2 16Preferential Voting 3 17Preferential Voting 4 18Preferential Voting 5 19Preferential Voting 6 20Which Votes Count? 21Proportional Representation 1 22Proportional Representation 2 23Proportional Representation 3 24 The Election Process 25Election Crossword 1 26Election Crossword 2 27Definitions 1 28Definitions 2 29Quiz 30 Section Two: Democratic LawsLaws 1 32Laws 2 33Types Of Laws 1 34Types Of Laws 2 35Enforcing Laws 1 36Enforcing Laws 2 37Enforcing Laws 3 38The Legal System 1 39The Legal System 2 40The Legal System 3 41Laws And The Indigenous Community 42 Section Three: Working In GroupsWorking Together 1 44Working Together 2 45Working Together As Global Citizens 46Developing Sustainable Communities Together 1 47 Developing Sustainable Communities Together 2 48

Answers 49-52

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National Curriculum Links

Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding

Government and Democracy

The key values that underpin Australia's democratic system of government (ACHCK022)•

The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives •in Australia's democracy (ACHCK023)

The key features of the Australian electoral process (ACHCK024)•

Laws and Citizens

How laws affect the lives of citizens, including experiences of •Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHCK025)

The roles and responsibilities of key personnel in law •enforcement and in the legal system (ACHCK026)

Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

Why people in groups achieve their aims, and how they can express their •shared beliefs and values and exercise influence (ACHCK027)

Civics and Citizenship Skills

Questioning and Research

Develop questions and gather a range of information to •investigate the society in which they live (ACHCS028)

Analysis, Synthesis and Interpretation

Identify over-generalised statements in relation to civics •and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS029)

Use and evaluate a range of information to develop a point of view (ACHCS030)•

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Interact with others with respect, identify different points of view •and share personal perspectives and opinions (ACHCS031)

Work in groups to identify issues and develop possible solutions and •a plan for action using decision making processes (ACHCS032)

Communication and Reflection

Present civics and citizenship ideas and viewpoints for a particular purpose •using civics and citizenship terms and concepts (ACHCS033)

Reflect on personal roles and actions as a citizen in the •school and in the community (ACHCS034)

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Teachers' Notes

Year 5: Civics And Citizenship is part of a series which helps teachers in Australia to implement the new Civics and Citizenship national curriculum with ease. Which part of the curriculum each activity page in this book is assessing is clearly marked at the bottom of each sheet. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate civics and citizenship skills throughout the entire book. The book is divided into three sections: Government And Democracy, Democratic Laws, and Working In Groups.

The first section of this book helps students to identify the fundamental values of a democracy - freedom, equality, fairness and justice. It also makes clear our responsibilities as electors and the responsibilities of those wishing to be elected. The electoral process is explored in some detail - the secret ballot, compulsory voting, preferential voting and proportional representation are all discussed.

The second section is entitled Democratic Laws and examines the types and importance of laws in Australia. It encourages students to identify our law enforcers and explain the laws that they are responsible for enforcing. The Australian legal system, the courts and the key people within the courts are all investigated.

The third and final section in this book is entitled Working In Groups. It asks students to think about the benefits of working in groups rather than as an individual. Students are prompted to investigate local, regional and global groups, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

To demonstrate their knowledge and skills, students will be asked to use their research skills, work in groups, question, sequence, experiment, create, organise, interpret and voice their opinion.

The pages in this book can be used sequentially or in no particular order. To make life even easier for the teacher, the answers are provided at the back of this book.

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Activity

Section One: Government

And Democracy

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Activity

Curriculum Link: The key values that underpin Australia's democratic system of government (ACHCK022)

Every country has a government – a system of management. Not every country has the same type of government. There are democracies. Australia is an example of a democracy. There are autocracies – North Korea is an example of an autocracy. These two forms of government operate differently, but both types of government make decisions for their people.

The people who live in democracies have a lot of influence over their governments’ decisions – which is why democracies are often referred to as ‘rule by the people’. The word democracy derives from two Greek words - demos meaning the people and kratos meaning power. The people who live in autocracies have no influence over their governments’ decisions. One person is in charge of an autocracy and therefore one person makes all of the decisions.

In Australia the values which underpin our democratic system are: freedom, equality, fairness and justice.

Read the information, then answer the questions below. R

What Is A Democracy?

What type of government is in place in Australia?1.

____________________________________________________________________

How do you think Australian people influence their government’s decisions?2.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Refer to a recent event that was designed to influence decisions made by our 3. government.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

In your opinion which type of government is the fairest – a democracy or an 4. autocracy? Support your answer.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Use your research skills to name some autocratic countries other than North Korea.5.

____________________________________________________________________

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Activity


Australia adopts a liberal democratic system of government. One of the key values which underpins this system of government is freedom. There are many types of freedoms which Australians enjoy compared to other non-democratic countries. Two are: freedom of religion and freedom of the press.

Read the information, then answer the questions. R

Democratic Values – Freedom

Why would it be unfair to have a state religion in Australia?1.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

How could your local government ensure that people are free to practise their 2. chosen religions?

____________________________________________________________________

What is censorship and how can it prevent freedom of the press?3.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Name a country which heavily censors the media. Say how this affects the people in 4. this country.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Use your favourite search engine to find four other freedoms which underpin 5. Australia's democratic system of government. What are these four other freedoms?

____________________________________________________________________

Split into groups. Each group should be allocated a 'freedom'. Work together to 6. define each freedom, say why it is important in Australia and find a country which doesn't have this freedom. Present your findings to the rest of the class.

Freedom Of Religion In Australia people are free to practise any religion that they wish, as long as they obey the law. Australians are also free not to have a religion. Australia therefore rejects the notion of a state religion.

Freedom Of The Press In Australia the media is not to be controlled by any political party or government body. The government is not to censor material printed in the media according to the interests of a political party or government body.

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Activity



Democratic Values – Equality

Australia adopts a liberal democratic system of government. One of the key values which underpins this system of government is equality. There are many ways in which Australia ensures that people living in Australia feel equal. One is our voting system. Every Australian citizen above the age of 18 has the right to vote in political elections. This means that all Australians’ interests are represented in parliament, not just a select few. Australia believes that males and females are equal and that one sex should not be privileged over another. Both sexes are entitled to equal opportunities in the workplace and in educational institutions such as schools and universities.

Why would it be unfair to deny one social group (i.e., men or women) from voting? 1. Think about the consequences of doing this.

____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

What does equal opportunities in the workforce mean?2. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

List one way that an employer can practise equal opportunities in a place of work. 3. ____________________________________________________________________

Give an example of inequality in the workforce.4. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

What is an educational institution?5. ____________________________________________________________________

Give an example of inequality in an educational institution. 6. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

How might a primary school ensure that all its students feel equal?7. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Equal Opportunities

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Activity

Curriculum Link: The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia's democracy (ACHCK023)

Who We Vote For - Our Representatives

Read the information, then complete the task. R

Matters of importance to the nation as a whole are the responsibility of the national or federal government. This government is located in Canberra and the building itself is known as Parliament House. There are three parts to the federal government. The Queen is the first part. She is the head of state and is represented by the Governor-General in Australia. Because Australia has a monarch as the head of state, Australia’s system of government is known as a constitutional monarchy. The other two parts are the two Houses of Parliament. They are: the House of Representatives (or lower house); the Senate (or upper house).

Both Houses have very different roles. Any parliament that is made up of two Houses is known as a bicameral parliament, such as England and the USA. In Australia the people elect representatives for each House.

The House of Representatives This House is traditionally the more powerful of the two. The Prime Minister must come from this House and its most important role is to form the government. The government is formed by the political party with the majority of members in the House of Representatives. Usually proposals for laws start in this House and it is this House (the lower house) that is responsible for laws to do with taxation and spending money. The 150 members of the House of Representatives represent the people who live in their electorate and they often spend a large part of their time in their electorate dealing with local issues. Members are elected for a period of three years. The decor in the House of Representatives is green.

The Senate This House is sometimes known as the state’s house. When the idea of federation (the joining of the colonies together) was proposed, many of the smaller states were worried that their interests would be overlooked and their concerns not listened to. The Senate was established as a state’s house where each state would elect the same number of senators regardless of the size of their population. As political parties have grown over the years, the role of the Senate as a state’s house has changed, with senators often voting according to the views of their political party rather than their state. The Senate also operates as a house of review for proposed laws (called bills). For a bill to become law it must be voted for by a majority in both Houses. There are 76 senators (12 representing each of the six states and two senators representing each of the two territories). Members are elected for six-year terms. The decor in the Senate is red.

After reading this information, write a paragraph on the back of this sheet Rexplaining why electors should vote responsibly. Read your paragraph out to the class.

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Activity

Curriculum Link: The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia's democracy (ACHCK023)

Read the information on this page to help you to complete the tasks. R

Individually or in pairs, create a job advertisement for a member of the RHouse of Representatives on the back of this sheet. You must include in this advertisement: characteristics needed to fulfil the role, skills, hours and typical day to day duties. Before you create this advertisement, brainstorm some ideas below and make a plan. Display your advertisement in the classroom.

Find out who is eligible to stand for election in Australia. Write your response Rin your workbooks.

A "Good" Representative

Each member of the House of Representatives is elected to represent an area known as an electoral division (or constituency). Each electoral division within a state or territory contains about the same number of people on the electoral roll. The electors in each division elect one person to represent them in the House of Representatives. Members of the House of Representatives seek re-election every time there is a federal election. They are re-elected by the people.

The House of Representatives has a number of important functions: it determines the government, debates and passes laws, surveys government administration and expenditure, and provides a forum for public debate on issues of national importance related to:

defence education and immigration

foreign affairs

justice and customs trade taxationtransport and regional services

agriculture, fisheries and forestry

industry, tourism and resources

health and ageing communications environment

Brainstorm

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Activity

Curriculum Links: The roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia's democracy (ACHCK023) The key features of the Australian electoral process (ACHCK024)

Read the information, then complete the questions on the back of this sheet. R

What does the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) have to provide to ensure the 1. smooth running of the secret ballot?

Many people have argued that it is time to replace the secret ballot with an online 2. voting system. After discussing the pros and cons of the secret ballot in small groups, answer the questions below.

The Secret Ballot

The secret ballot is also known as the Australian ballot because it originated in Australia in 1856. It was first put into practice in South Australia and Victoria. In 1858, New South Wales and Tasmania adopted the secret ballot, followed by Queensland in 1859 and Western Australia in 1893. All federal elections in Australia since 1901 have used the secret ballot.

The secret ballot is a form of voting designed to ensure that people’s votes are kept private and confidential. Its intention is to reduce bribery, intimidation and coercion, so voters do not feel pressured to vote for one party over another. The secret ballot therefore supports freedom – a fundamental value of democracy.

To ensure secrecy, The Commonwealth Electoral Act requires the Australian Electoral Commission to provide separate voting compartments for voters to mark their ballot papers in private. Voting papers must contain no other information apart from the names of the candidates. Voters are then instructed to post their ballot papers into a non-transparent ballot box to be counted by hand. Those voting by post have their votes sealed in two envelopes to ensure secrecy. As voters enter polling booths, they get their names crossed off on an electoral roll – in this way a person’s attendance is noted, but there is no way of tracing each vote to a voter.

The secret ballot means that each vote is counted by hand – what is the main i. problem with this?

If we voted online, what might the advantages and disadvantages be?ii. Some people have argued that the secret ballot iii. ensures that people attend a polling booth but does not ensure that they vote, because they may not mark the ballot paper. How could voting online ensure that people actually vote and don't just get their names ticked off on the electoral roll?

How does the secret ballot support democratic values?3.

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InformatIon


Who Has The Right To Vote In Australia? 1Australia is one of the few countries where voting at federal elections is compulsory. After a federal election in 1919 when only 69% of voters actually voted, it was agreed that voting should be made mandatory in federal elections. On average today, around 95% of Australians turn out to vote in federal elections.

All Australian citizens over the age of 18 who are of sound mind and do not have serious criminal convictions are required to vote. Australians living and travelling overseas can vote via a postal system. It is the responsibility of all eligible electors to ensure that their names are on the electoral roll, to know where their local polling booth will be on election day and when election day will be. There have been occasions when fines have been imposed on people who have failed to register for voting on election day. Some fines have been waived due to sickness, etc.

Voting in local elections is not compulsory for those living in South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Voting is compulsory both at federal elections and at elections for the state and territory legislatures for those living in Queensland, The Australian Capital Territory, The Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.

Not every Australian has always had the right to vote. Australia’s first systems of European government only allowed men with a certain amount of property or wealth to vote. Groups who have had to argue for their right to vote are: Indigenous Australians, migrants and women. By turning up to vote and voting responsibly we are showing our respect to all Australians in the past who have fought to have the right to vote - we are also supporting the fundamental values of a democracy, such as equality and fairness.

Women And The VoteSuffrage is the term used to describe the right to vote. Women, for example, were not granted the right to vote in federal elections until 1902 following the lead of New Zealand who gave women this right in 1893. Voting in state/territory elections was different for each state/territory. Indigenous women, however, were not granted suffrage until 1962. A woman who campaigned for the right to vote in elections was known as a suffragette.

*Officially Indigenous Australians had the same rights as others, but from 1902, because they were denied the right to vote in federal elections they were often denied the right to vote in state/territory elections.

State Men Women

South Australia 1856 1894

Western Australia 1893 1899

New South Wales 1858 1902

Tasmania 1900 1903

Queensland 1859 1905

Victoria 1857 1908

WHEN VOTING RIGHTS WERE GRANTED IN STATE/TERRITORy ELECTIONS

Right to Vote

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Activity


Read the information on the previous page to help you to complete the Rquestions below.

Who Has The Right To Vote In Australia? 2

What are the responsibilities of Australian electors during federal elections?1.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

What are the responsibilities of electors in 2. your state or territory on state and local election days?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

What does the term suffrage mean?3.

____________________________________________________________________

What is a suffragette?4.

____________________________________________________________________

Examine the table on voting rights on the previous page. Which state gave women 5. the right to vote first?

____________________________________________________________________

Which state was the last to give women the right to vote? 6.

____________________________________________________________________

7. When were indigenous women given the right to vote?

____________________________________________________________________

Research

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Use your research skills to find out the rules for voting in: Lebanon, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, The Vatican City and The United Arab Emirates.

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InformatIon

Curriculum Link: The key features of the Australian electoral process (ACHCK024)

Preferential Voting 1Federal elections occur in Australia approximately every three years. Australians vote for members of the House of Representatives using the preferential voting system. The preferential voting system means that voters place a number next to each candidate (1, 2, 3, etc.) on their ballot papers to indicate who they wish to win, and who their preferences go to, if the candidate who they picked to win is eliminated.

In Australia, most of the major political parties hand out ‘How-To-Vote’ cards that show exactly how to number the boxes on the ballot sheets to vote for a particular political party. A ‘How-To-Vote’ card is a paper card issued by representatives of candidates to voters as they enter polling booths.

This card provides helpful information for people who want to vote for a certain party but are unsure who their preferences should go to if the candidate that they voted for is eliminated after the first round of counting. Such cards clearly show the order in which to number the candidates so it is of maximum benefit to the preferred party. This usually means that the candidate who is the biggest threat is listed as a last preference.

Voters do not have to follow ‘How-To-Vote’ cards. It is entirely up to voters what they write on their ballot papers once inside the polling booths.

How to vote for

I. Wringe (IND) 2

R. West (HIP) 5

N. McGeown (NUP) 6

M. young (IND) 3

J. Frances (yEP) 1

A. McInerney (IND) 4

Young Energetic Party (YEP)

you must number every box for your vote to count.

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Activity


Preferential Voting 2Create a ‘How-To-Vote’ card for your own political party by following the Rsteps below. Use the information and the example on page 15 to help you.

How to vote for

Vote 1

Create a name for your political party, e.g. young Energetic Party (yEP). Write it 1. in the box at the top of the 'How-To-Vote' card. Place your name in one of the six boxes on the card and mark it number 1. Create a name for two more political parties. Choose the name of a class member 2. to represent each party then choose the names of three fellow class members to be independent members. Fill in their names in any order. E.g. R.West (yEP), P. Michaels (IND).Complete the 'How-To-Vote' card so that your party will have the best chance of 3. winning by putting the biggest threat last.

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Activity


Preferential Voting 3

Read the information, then complete the task. R

Draw another example (like the one above) to show a Rcandidate gaining the clear majority of first preference votes. Imagine that 100,000 people have voted.

The first count: 100,000 people have voted.When votes are first counted, a candidate with a clear majority of first preference votes (over half the number of votes) is declared elected. Look at the example right.

Harry is the clear winner as he has the majority (over half ) of first preference votes in the first count. Harry is elected.

The Votes Are In …

70,000 votes

Candidate 1

Harry12,000 votes

Candidate 3

Sarah

10,000 votes

Candidate 2

Peter8,000 votes

Candidate 4

Mary

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InformatIon


Preferential Voting 4The First Count: 100,000 people have voted.When no candidate receives a clear majority (over half ) of first preference votes in the first count, the voters’ preferences are considered. The candidate with the least number of first preference votes is eliminated. Look at the example below.

In this example, no candidate has the clear majority (over half) of first preference votes. Sarah has the lowest first preference votes in the first count, so she is eliminated.

The Second CountThe second preferences of the voters who placed Sarah first are then distributed among the remaining candidates. After this redistribution, if there is no clear winner (a candidate with over half the votes) the candidate with the least amount of preferences is again eliminated.Candidate 1 = Harry: 40,000 votes plus 1,000 from Sarah = 41,000 votes in total. Candidate 2 = Peter: 20,000 votes plus 5,000 from Sarah = 25,000 votes in total. Candidate 3 = Mary: 30,000 votes plus 4,000 from Sarah = 34,000 in total.

After the votes from Sarah have been redistributed, there is still no clear winner and Peter has the least amount of votes and so is eliminated. His preferences are then distributed among the remaining candidates. After this redistribution, if there is no clear winner, the candidate with the least amount of preferences is again eliminated. This procedure continues until all but the winning candidate has been decided.

40,000 votes

41,000 votes

20,000 votes

25,000 votes

30,000 votes

34,000 votes

10,000 votes

Candidate 1

Harry

Candidate 1

Harry

Candidate 2

Peter

Candidate 2

Peter

Candidate 3

Mary

Candidate 3

Mary

Candidate 4

Sarah

Candidate 4

Sarah

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Activity


Preferential Voting 5Use the example on the previous page to create your own examples of first Rand second counts below. Create a clear winner after the second count.

After the second count the clear winner is: R ______________________________

Challenge: Not all countries use a preferential voting system, some countries use a system known as 'First-Past-The-Post'. This means that the candidate who polls the highest number of votes is elected. This method of voting is also known as ‘Winner-Takes-All’ or ‘Simple Plurality’. Find out which countries use the 'First-Past-The-Post' voting system. Record your responses on the back of this sheet.

The Votes Are In …

The First Count

The Second Count

Candidate 1

___________________

Candidate 1

___________________

Candidate 2

___________________

Candidate 2

___________________

Candidate 3

___________________

Candidate 3

___________________

Candidate 4

___________________

Candidate 4

___________________

Votes

Votes

Votes

Votes

Votes

Votes

Votes

Votes

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Activity


Preferential Voting 6Use the information presented in the three tables to answer the questions Rbelow.

Look at Table 1. 337 people have voted. 1. Does any candidate have a clear majority?

__________________________________

Which candidate would be eliminated and 2. have his/her second votes counted?

__________________________________

Look at Table 2. Which candidate has the 3. greatest number of votes now that second preferences have been distributed?

__________________________________

How many votes does this candidate have?4.

__________________________________

Look at Table 3. Name the candidate who 5. wins this election after second preference votes have been distributed.

__________________________________

The example shown in Table 1 means that 6. the candidate with the most number of votes does not win the election. Do you think that this is fair? Support your answer.

__________________________________

__________________________________

In the 'First-Past-The-Post' voting system, 7. the person with the greatest number of votes wins the election. What advantages or disadvantages do you see here?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Table 1Candidate 1st Preference Votes

Gillard 111Abbott 114Howard 112

Table 2Candidate 1st Pref. 2nd Pref.

Gillard 111Abbott 114 21Howard 112 90

Table 3Candidate 1st Pref. 2nd Pref.

Rudd 160Hockey 220 140Palmer 260 20

Ballot Box

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Activity


Which Votes Count?

The preferential voting system requires each voter to number every box on the ballot paper for his/her vote to count. There are three different types of votes: a donkey vote, an informal vote and a formal vote. A donkey vote is a vote where the voter marks the ballot paper 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. An informal vote is when the ballot paper has been filled in incorrectly or not at all. A formal vote is a vote which has been cast following the correct rules of the election.

Read the information and study the ballot papers to help you to answer the Rquestions.

Which ballot paper above would be classified as a donkey vote? 1.

____________________________________________________________________

Which ballot paper would be classified as an informal vote?2.

____________________________________________________________________

Why do you think people make donkey votes and informal votes? 3.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

It can be argued that people who make informal votes and donkey votes are not 4. supporting a democracy. Why?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Which ballot papers have been correctly completed? ________________________5.

Howard McMahon Chifley Hughes Curtin Holt




ballot PaPEr a ballot PaPEr b ballot PaPEr c ballot PaPEr d

1 1 4

5 2 2

3 3 1

4 4 31

6 5 6

2 6 5

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InformatIon


Proportional Representation 1Senators are elected by a system of voting known as proportional representation. Senators are elected for a total of six years.

This system aims to produce election results which ensure that winners gain seats in proportion to the votes that they secure. For example, in the Senate, there are eight electorates: six states and two territories. Twelve senate members are elected in each state and two senate members are elected in each territory. This makes 76 members in the Senate altogether.

Senate Members

New South Wales Queensland South Australia

Tasmania Victoria Western Australia

Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory

Senate members are elected when they gain a quota of the vote. This quota is calculated by dividing the total number of formal ballot papers by one more than the number of senators to be elected and adding “1” to the result – ignoring any remainder.

For example, the votes for a candidate in one of the six states would be divided by 13, then one would be added to the result.

The votes for a candidate in one of the two territories would be divided by three, then one would be added to the result.

Proportional representation increases the chances of minor parties and independents winning seats. It produces closer results in the struggle between major parties and makes it difficult for a major party to gain control of the Senate.

23

Activity


Proportional Representation 2

Complete the diagrams to explain the formulas used to calculate a candidate’s Rquota of votes when using proportional representation. The formula used to calculate a candidate's quota of votes in an Australian state is different from the formula used to calculate a candidate's quota of votes in an Australian territory.

Complete The Diagrams

Read the information on the previous page, then complete the tasks below. R

In your own words, explain why proportional representation is fair. R

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Total number of ballot papers

=

divided by

plus 1 =

Western Australia The Northern TerritoryTotal number

of ballot papers

=

divided by

plus 1 =

147 147

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Activity


Proportional Representation 3

Read the information then complete the questions below. R

The Senate ballot paper is divided into two sections. Voters complete the ballot paper in two ways. They can complete the section above or below the line.

If voting above the line, a voter should place a number '1' in one box only above the black line. The rest of the ballot paper should be left blank. By casting a vote in this way, voters allow the order of their preference to be determined by the party or group for which they are voting.

A Senate group may issue a Group Voting Ticket which outlines the preference order of all candidates in the election. Instead of a voter numbering all of the boxes, the Australian Electoral Commission will automatically allocate preferences in the order specified by a particular party or group.

Voters can choose to fill in every box below the line in order of preference by putting the number '1' in the box next to the candidate who they want as their first choice, number '2' in the box next to the candidate who they want as their second choice, and so on, until all of the boxes have been numbered. Voters should leave the top part of the ballot paper blank. If voters choose to vote below the line, they must number every box for their vote to count.

Number the parties on the Senate ballot paper above and below the lines 1. according to the rules.

____________________________________________________________________

Explain what a Group Voting Ticket is.2.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Senate Ballot Paperyou may vote in two ways: Above or Below the black line

Above the line

Below the line

Party 1 Party 2 Party 3 Party 4

Party 1 Party 2 Party 3 Party 4Davies Milner Tom Smith Green Rossi Jones Howard Evans Lee Slee Beckett

Either:

Or:

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Activity


The Election Process

The lead-up to any election, whether it’s a federal, state or a local Rcouncil election, usually follows a similar process. Number the steps below to show the correct order of this process.

Voters’ names are crossed off the electoral roll.

First preference votes are counted.

Scrutineers watch as electoral officers prepare the votes for counting.

Candidates make speeches and visit electors.

Ballot papers are filled in by voters according to preferences.

Voters collect 'How-To-Vote' cards from party supporters.

The winning candidate is declared a Member of Parliament.

Second preference votes are counted.

Voters go to the polling booth.

Preselection occurs to decide which candidates from

each political party should stand for election.

Candidates prepare pamphlets and posters as part of their election campaign.

Voters place completed papers in ballot boxes.

Go to R 4www.aec.gov.au/Voting/counting/index.htm to find the answers to the questions below.

What does scrutiny mean?1.

__________________________________________________________________

At what time does each polling booth close?2.

__________________________________________________________________

When does the counting of the votes commence?3.

__________________________________________________________________

If an election for the House of Representatives and an election for the 4. Senate are held on the same day, which votes are counted first?

___________________________________________________________________

Who are Divisional Returning Officers?5.

__________________________________________________________________

Find Out

26

Activity


Election Crossword 1Read the clues on the following page to help you to complete the election Rcrossword. One across and one down have been done for you.

S W I N G I N G

EAT

A

27

Activity


Election Crossword 2

Across1. A ______________ voter regularly changes his/her voting pattern from one

election to the next.2. A candidate must have a clear ________________ of the votes to be elected.4. When a voter incorrectly fills out a ballot it is known as an ________________

vote.7. The ___________ of Representatives.8. The Australian Electoral _________________ organises the counting of the votes

in an election.10. A _____________ is a person who is standing for election into Parliament.11. A federal election is held approximately every three __________.12. The Prime _______________ is the leader of the party with the most seats in the

lower house.14. Voters must attend a __________________ place to register their vote.16. An ________________ is held to decide which political party holds the most seats

in Parliament.18. Parliament is divided into the __________ and lower houses.20. Voters fill out a ___________ paper to show their voting preference.21. The ____________ house is also known as the House of Representatives.

Down1. A __________ refers to an electorate or constituency.3. A candidate acts as a ____________________ for a political party.5. When a voter numbers his/her preferences according to the order in which they

appear on the ballot paper, (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) it is a __________ vote.6. After an election, the successful candidate becomes a ________________ of

Parliament.9. ______________ is compulsory in Australia.13. The upper house is also known as the legislative _______________ in most states.15. The _____________ is known as the upper house (in federal parliament).17. Scrutineers pay close attention as election officers __________ the votes.19. The Prime Minister is the leader of a particular political _____________.

Read the clues to help you to complete the election crossword on the Rprevious page. One across and one down have been done for you.

swinging

seat

28

Activity


Definitions 1

Match the definitions at the top of the page with their meanings. R

The percentage of enrolled electors 1. who have voted on polling day.

A sheet of paper that shows the names of candidates 2. standing for election. Each candidate has a box next to his/her name that must be numbered in the voting process to show preferences.

A division or electorate in which the same party or 3. candidate has won each election for a long period of time, especially where the winning candidate usually gains more than 60% of the vote.

A vote where the voter marks the ballot 4. paper 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.

A list of all voters entitled to vote in an election.5.

A second or further count of votes for a particular seat. 6.

This takes place when an elector’s name cannot 7. be found on the electoral roll. The voter’s name must be checked at the divisional office before his/her vote can be counted.

Each electorate is divided up into these. They contain 8. approximately the same amount of voters.

A vote that has correctly been cast following 9. the correct rules for the election.

A card that shows how a particular party or candidate 10. would like voters to fill out the ballot paper.

Another word for division or electorate. 11.

A ballot paper that has either been filled in 12. incorrectly, or not been filled in at all.

electoral roll How-To-Vote card provisional vote turnout

division ballot paper safe seat donkey vote

formal vote recount seat informal vote

29

Activity

Match the definitions at the top of the page with their meanings. R

A method of private voting, usually 1. involving a pen or paper.

Someone who doesn’t have a steady pattern 2. of voting. For example, they may vote for the Greens one time, the ALP in another election and then the Liberal Party in another election.

Visitors to places such as prisons, hospitals, nursing 3. homes, ships and so on to allow electors to vote.

A vote that is not considered to be a 4. postal, absentee or informal vote.

When voters are unable to attend a polling booth 5. in their electorate they must make one of these votes at another electorate’s polling place.

Votes that are cast before an election, usually because 6. the voter knows in advance that they will not be able to attend a polling place on election day.

The location that voters must attend in order to cast 7. their vote. There are several of these in a division.

The container into which voters place 8. their completed ballot papers.

The number of votes needed by a 9. candidate to be elected.

A voter who cannot get to a polling place on 10. polling day (e.g. people in remote communities, people who are overseas) is one of these.

People who check the counting process at 11. polling places on behalf of the candidates.


Definitions 2

quota general postal voter scrutineers ordinary vote

ballot box swinging voter mobile teams absent vote

pre-poll votes polling place ballot

30

Activity


Quiz

A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ election is held at least once every three years. 1.

There are 150 members in the House of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. 2.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ is a democratic value. 3.

An _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is very different than a democracy. 4.

The government is located in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . 5.

The Queen is the head of _ _ _ _ _ . 6.

The _ _ _ _ _ _ is also known as the upper house or the legislative council. 7.

The House of Representatives and the Senate make up _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .8.

There are _ _ senators altogether. 9.

The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ originated in Australia in 1859. 10.

The current head of state is represented in Australia by the Governor _ _ _ _ _ _ _. 11.

A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is sometimes held to decide a question by the people that 12.

may alter Australia’s Constitution.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the national law-making body of Australia. 13.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is a term used to describe the right to vote. 14.

Voting in _ _ _ _ _ elections is not compulsory in all states and territories. 15.

We vote for candidates from the House of Representatives using the 16.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ voting system.

We vote for parties from the Senate using the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. 17.

_ _ _ _ _ _ in Australian federal elections is compulsory. 18.

Australia has a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ government, meaning representatives are 19.

elected by the people.

Complete the quiz below to test your knowledge of the Australian election Rprocess.

31

Section Two: Democratic Laws

32

InformatIon

Curriculum Link: How laws affect the lives of citizens, including experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHCK025)

Australian laws apply to all people who enter Australia. Laws are made by the Australian government and are important to everyone in society. Laws protect people, their property, their rights, their freedoms. People who enter Australia have rights but they also have a responsibility to obey the law. Rights can be taken away from people who do not obey the law.

From the time you could talk you would have been aware of rules and laws. In fact even when you were a baby there was probably a rule that you couldn’t throw food from your high chair!

Where Have Our Rules And Laws Come From?Many civilisations realised that for there to be order they needed to make laws based on what was important to them. According to the Bible, for example, the ten commandments were written on stone and handed to the Jewish holy man, Moses, as laws for the Jewish people to follow.

The ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome also had legal codes for their citizens to follow. Draco drew up the earliest Greek legal code in 621 BC. These laws were very harsh and even today, extremely severe laws are known as Draconian.

Between 100 BC and 400 AD the Roman Empire was a significant part of the world and laws were created to deal with people living both in Rome and in the Roman Empire in other parts of the world. It was the Romans who started the democratic belief that people are innocent until proven guilty.

The area that is now known as the Middle East contained the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia. It is these people who are believed to be amongst the first to create codes of law. The oldest written set of laws is the Code of Hammurabi written by King Hammurabi of Babylonia (which is now Iraq). These laws – there were more than 280 of them – were carved in stone and placed throughout the city so that people would know about them. The laws dealt with issues like: private property, business, family relations, work, and personal injury. The punishments for breaking the codes were very severe – this is where the saying “an eye for an eye” comes from.

Laws 1

33

Activity


Read the information below and on the previous page to answer the questions. R

The laws that we have in place today in Australia have been created to complement fundamental Australian values shared by the majority. We live in a democratic society which believes in values such as: freedom, equality and justice.

Laws 2

Who were the ten commandments first written for?2.

______________________________________________________________________

What laws did Draco create and how are these laws perceived today?3.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

What democratic belief did the Romans create which still underpins our legal system 4. today?

______________________________________________________________________

Look at the laws below. Explain why each law would not be in place in Australian 1. society. Write what you think the Australian law might be for each crime specified.

a. If a man or woman damages the eye of another, his/her eye will be damaged.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

b. If anyone breaks into a house to steal, he/she shall be put to death.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

c. If an employee decides to leave his/her work place, his/her ear will be removed by the employer.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Freedom

Equality

Justice

34

InformatIon


Everyday serious crimes, such as car theft and murders, are reported in the news. These types of crimes, among others, are dealt with in court. Court cases involve either criminal or civil law.

Criminal LawMurder, burglary and physical assault are all examples of criminal acts, and the law, which deals with them, is criminal law. Criminal law involves a situation in which a person has done something which is seen as a threat to the whole community. The government (also known as the state) takes responsibility for taking people accused of these crimes to court to ensure that they are adequately punished for disobeying the law. When the accused appears in court it is said to be “‘the state versus the person”.

The four main types of criminal law are:

laws which protect property;

laws which protect people;

laws which protect society; and

laws which protect the nation and legal system.

Civil LawCivil law doesn’t affect everyone. This type of law is between two people about a matter which affects only them. For example, a dispute between you and your neighbour about their barking dog could be dealt with in a court if the matter cannot be settled any other way.

The three main types of civil law are:

contract law (to do with agreements);

family law (such as births, deaths, marriages and divorces); and

the law of tort (French for “wrong” and related to things like trespassing or negligence).

Types Of Laws 1

35

Activity


Research

Types Of Laws 2

A group of looters cause havoc in the streets of Sydney.1.

A neighbour’s tree drops its leaves over your fence 2. and causes your swimming pool to turn green.

A teenage computer hacker obtains Australian 3. defence secrets and sells them on the Internet.

Two parents both want sole custody 4. of their three children.

The local bank is held up at gunpoint - three 5. people are killed and one is injured.

Tenants of a property are seven months 6. behind in paying their rent.

q civil q criminal

q civil q criminal

q civil q criminal

q civil q criminal

q civil q criminal

q civil q criminal

After reading the information on the previous page, complete the tasks.

Examine the list of crimes (offences) listed below and Rclassify them into civil or criminal laws.

Use either your local newspaper or a state newspaper to find two Rarticles about the law – one about a criminal offence and one that relates to a civil dispute. Read the articles and underline any key ideas. Cut the articles out and fill in the details below.

Name and date of newspaper:

________________________________

Headline of article:

________________________________

Summarise what the offender is accused of (i.e. what crime have they allegedly committed?):

________________________________

________________________________

Give your opinion of the case. If the person has been found guilty does the punishment seem fair?

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Name and date of newspaper:

________________________________

Headline of article:

________________________________

Summarise what the offender is accused of (i.e. what crime have they allegedly committed?):

________________________________

________________________________

Give your opinion of the case. If the person has been found guilty does the punishment seem fair?

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Civil Criminal

36

Activity

Curriculum Link: The roles and responsibilities of key personnel in law enforcement and in the legal system (ACHCK026)

Enforcing Laws 1

Obey speed limits on the water. 1.

you must show a valid passport on entry into 2.

Australia.

Wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. 3.

All dogs must be placed on a lead in public parks. 4.

Do not park on the verge. 5.

Do not feed the ducks. 6.

Do not sell undersized fish. 7.

Register all mobile food premises. 8.

Food preparation areas are required to be clean 9.

and sanitised.

Keep to the speed limit on the freeway. 10.

Wipe down and switch off all park barbeques after use. 11.

Declare all food items being brought into the country. 12.

Read the information, then complete the tasks. R

Choosing from the people pictured above, write down who enforces the laws Rlisted below.

When laws are introduced into society, they must be enforced. The majority of laws are enforced by the police, however some laws are enforced by public servants (people who work for the government), such as health inspectors and rangers.

On the back of this sheet write down three laws that an environmental protection Rofficer would enforce and three laws that a quarantine officer would enforce.

park ranger

police officer

public health inspector

parking inspector

fisheries and boating officer

customs official

37

InformatIon


Enforcing Laws 2The government has three functions or arms: its legislative arm is responsible for making laws, its executive arm is responsible for enforcing the laws and its judicial arm is responsible for settling disputes in courts. So what happens once a crime has been committed or police have reason to believe one has been committed?

Dependent upon the crime committed several courses of action may occur:

the offender could be issued with a caution (for example a minor traffic offence); an on-the-spot fine may be issued; the courts can summons someone to appear in court; a warrant can be issued which allows the police to bring someone to court; the offender can be arrested.

What Happens After The Arrest?An arrest is the process of bringing someone into police custody so that he/she can be charged with an offence. It can occur anywhere and a crime does not need to have taken place (police just need to have strong suspicion of a crime being committed). During the arrest the police will inform the alleged offender that he/she is under arrest and why. The police may use words such as:“James Halwit, I am arresting you for spraying a bus stop with graffiti. you are not obliged to say anything, but anything you do say may be used in evidence against you.”If the offender has been arrested and the police ask him/her to accompany them to the police station the offender is required to do so.

At the police station there are set procedures that are followed. These may include:

fingerprinting; photographing the alleged offender; asking the person to empty his/her pockets; conducting an interview which is usually recorded.

The two principles of our legal system are:it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt that an offence was committed; andeveryone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

Three Functions Of Government legislative arm making laws

executive arm enforcing the laws

judicial arm settling disputes in courts

38

Activity


Enforcing Laws 3

Read the information on the previous page to help you to complete the Rquestions below.

E1. xplain the three arms of the government in your own words.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

If somebody is arrested and taken into police custody, what four steps are usually 2. followed when the offender is at the police station?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

It is said that laws protect our human rights. For example the law that says that all 3. Australian citizens over the age of 18 should vote in federal elections, protects our human right to be treated equally regardless of our gender, race and disabilities. Think of two laws. Write them down and say what human rights they protect. Share your ideas with two or three other classmates.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

If a person is found guilty of a crime by a police officer but is not taken back to the 4. police station, what punishment have they most likely received?

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Why do you think the two principles of the Australian 5. legal system are important?

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

39

InformatIon


The Legal System 1Although police officers are responsible for bringing before the court people who they believe have broken the law, it is not their duty to decide whether or not offenders are guilty. The Australian legal system, known as the judicial function of the government is responsible for the settling of disputes in courts. Not every dispute, however, comes before the formal courts of Australia. In addition to courts there are other bodies, which are designed to hear complaints and decide on issues, which are more minor. Some of these are:

the small claims tribunal; the equal opportunity board; and the ombudsman.

If cases do go to court, the seriousness of each case will determine which court is attended. For example, someone who has sprayed graffiti on a wall is not likely to be dealt with in the same court as someone who has committed murder.

There are two levels of courts in Australia – the federal courts and those in the states and territories. The highest court in Australia is known as the high court. This court hears cases to do with the states and international law. Each state and territory has its own hierarchy of courts with the Supreme Court being the highest. As well as hearing more serious cases, the higher courts in each state are also

able to hear appeals from people who have already had their cases heard in the lower courts. There are special courts dealing with family issues and juveniles.

Federal High Court

Supreme Courtof Western Australia

Supreme Courtof Northern

Territory

Supreme Courtof South Australia

Supreme Courtof Queensland

Supreme Courtof New South

Wales

Supreme Courtof Tasmania

Supreme Courtof Victoria

states and international law

40

Activity The Legal System 2

Use the information on the previous page together with your research skills to Ranswer the questions below.

Are police officers involved in the settling of disputes in court? What is their role?1.

____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

What is the small claims tribunal?2.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

What is the ombudsman?3.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Why are there different types of courts?4.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

What are the two levels of courts in Australia?5.

____________________________________________________________________

What is the highest court in Australia known as and what is its role?6.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Find out what other courts there are, apart from the Supreme Court, in your state 7. or territory.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

What are lower courts?8.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Typically what issues do you think a family 9. court would deal with?

_____________________________________

_____________________________________


41

Activity The Legal System 3


Juries are people who appear in court to help decide whether a person is guilty of a crime. Members of a jury are made up of 12 to 18 Australian citizens who are selected at random. To be eligible to be chosen to sit on a jury you must be on the electoral roll and be between 18 and 75 years of age (this may vary from state to state). Members of a jury must attend all court hearings and present their decisions to the judge.A judge can preside over court proceedings alone, without a jury. In a courtroom a judge usually wears a black robe, and sits in the most elevated position in the courtroom. A judge, after considering all evidence presented to him/her, makes a final decision about the case and is responsible for handing down punishments fitting of crimes. A magistrate plays a similar role to a judge but usually handles more minor cases. Sometimes a magistrate is appointed by a judge. Magistrates usually do not wear black robes. The accused are usually represented by lawyers in the courtroom. There are two types of lawyers - solicitors and barristers. Lawyers usually wear robes and sit at the bar facing the judge.

Why do you think that it is important to have a jury as well as a judge in some 1. hearings?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Why do you think jury members are selected randomly?2. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Why would a judge sit in the most elevated position in a courtroom?3. ____________________________________________________________________

Explain the difference between a judge and a magistrate in your own words. 4. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Legal representation (the hiring of a lawyer to defend yourself in court) can be 5. costly. Find out what legal aid is and why this is important in a democracy.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Use your research skills to find out the roles and responsibilities of a judge's 6. associate and a judge's tipstaff. Write your response on the back of this sheet.


42

Activity Laws And The Indigenous Community

Read the information, then complete the questions and the challenge tasks. R

When European settlers arrived in Australia in 1788 the many groups of Aboriginal Peoples living here

already had a well-established system of laws. These laws were handed

down to each generation through stories known as The Dreaming.

Go to R 4www.dreamtime.net.au/main.htm to access a Dreaming story which relates to an indigenous law. Retell this story to the class.

Do some research on tribal law and describe it on the back of this page. R

How are Aboriginal laws passed onto the younger generation? 1. ____________________________________________________________________

Do you believe traditional Aboriginal law and modern law can exist together in society?2. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Use your research skills to find out what payback means in indigenous communities. 3. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Indigenous Australians believed that if they follow the laws handed down from their ancestors, it will help them to live in harmony with nature and each other.

Laws within indigenous communities determine who a person can marry, who has to pay off another person’s debts and who has to look after the elderly and the sick. An interesting law is ‘the mother-in-law ban’ which forbids a man or woman from ever talking to his/her mother-in-law. This ban was introduced perhaps to avoid fighting or to show respect to the position of the mother-in-law in the family. Laws can differ between language groups – for example laws regarding how the land should be cared for may differ depending on the clan that an indigenous person belongs to.

There are many places in Australia where Aboriginal laws exist and in some cases, judges have allowed traditional law to be applied to court cases. When Europeans arrived in Australia they brought with them many of their traditions from their home country so now much of Australia’s legal and parliamentary system is similar to that in the United Kingdom.

Challenge Tasks


43

Section Three: Working In Groups

44

Activity

Curriculum Link: Why people in groups achieve their aims, and how they can express their shared beliefs and values and exercise influence (ACHCK027)

Working Together 1Read the Aboriginal Dreamtime story, then complete the questions below. R

Tiddalick The Greedy FrogA long time ago before people lived on the Earth, there was a big frog called Tiddalick. Tiddalick lived in the hot Australian desert and he thought that he was the boss of all the animals. One day Tiddalick was very thirsty. He went to the only pond of water in the desert garden and he started to drink all of the water. He drank and drank and drank. He grew bigger and bigger and bigger. He didn’t leave one drop of water in the pond. The other animals in the desert came to the pond to drink. There was no water! They were so thirsty. Then they saw big, fat Tiddalick. "Tiddalick drank all the water!” said the kangaroo. "What can we do?” asked the kookaburra. “I know!” said the sleepy wombat. “Let’s make him laugh and laugh and laugh, then all the water will come out of his mouth.” The kangaroo hopped on one leg. Then she hopped on the other. She hopped up and down, up and down, up and down. But Tiddalick didn’t laugh. “My turn,” said the emu. The emu danced the can-can and wobbled his big bottom at the frog. Tiddalick didn’t laugh, Tiddalick didn’t even smile!The frill-necked lizard was very confident. “Watch me, you big bad frog,” she cried. The lizard turned around and around and around like a ballerina on the desert sand until she was very dizzy, but Tiddalick didn’t laugh.The eel that lived in the pond wriggled over to Tiddalick and started to tickle his leg with his tail…then he tickled him on the tummy…then under Tiddalick’s arms. Now the eel was around Tiddalick’s neck and suddenly Tiddalick started to laugh. He laughed and laughed and laughed. Tiddalick laughed so much that all the water came out of his mouth and there was water again for the animals of the desert.The kangaroo, the kookaburra, the emu, the eel, the wombat and the lizard laughed too and they danced under the desert sun. All the animals were happy again.

(adapted by Lisa Craig)

Which animals worked together as a team? ______________________________________1.

__________________________________________________________________________

What was this team’s shared belief? ____________________________________________2.

What was the team’s aim? ____________________________________________________3.

Did the team achieve its aims? How? _________________________________________4.

_______________________________________________________________________

Which animal was not part of this team? _________________________________________5.

What does this story tell us about the advantages of working as a team? 6.

____________________________________________________________________________

45

Activity


Working Together 2

There are advantages and disadvantages to working in a group. RLook at the two pictures below. Underneath each, identify one possible disadvantage of working in a group.

There are advantages and disadvantages to working in a Rgroup. Look at the two pictures below. Underneath each, identify one possible advantage of working in a group.

1

2

3

There are many different types of groups. Look at the Rgroups below. In pairs identify the name of each group and its possible shared aims and/or shared beliefs. Team up with another pair and share responses.

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

46

Activity Working Together As Global CitizensSome groups form to help people in need around the world. This is Rknown as global citizenship - the belief that we are all citizens of the globe and should unite to help each other in times of need. Visit the websites listed below and find out how each group helps people.

UNICEF 4www.unicef.org

Aims/Objectives

Mission Statements

Successes

RED CROSS 4www.redcross.org.au

Aims/Objectives

Mission Statements

Successes

WORLD VISION 4www.worldvision.com.au

Aims/Objectives

Mission Statements

Successes

BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION 4www.gatesfoundation.org

Aims/Objectives

Mission Statements

Successes


47

Activity Developing Sustainable Communities Together 1

Read the information, then complete the questions below. R

How many people/groups need to be involved to make eco-tourism a success? 1. Give examples of the types of groups that need to be involved.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Why would people volunteer to join groups which promote eco-tourism? 2. ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

We can work together as local and regional citizens to develop sustainable Australian communities. Eco-tourism helps to develop sustainable communities because it enables tourists to experience a place’s natural attractions without damaging its environment, so that a place can be enjoyed by future generations. We can support eco-tourism by staying in eco-friendly resorts and going on eco-friendly trips. Some examples of eco-tourist trips in Australia include: nature walks with indigenous guides in The Top End to see rock art, camping out to stargaze in the desert and having brekkie with tiny darting penguins and albatross in Tasmania.

There are many local and regional groups in Australia that are committed to being eco-friendly and developing more sustainable Australian communities. Instead of building tourist accommodation for resorts by bulldozing the natural vegetation, building resort facilities and landscaping new gardens with plants placed carefully around buildings are now encouraged. Eco-friendly resorts preserve the natural environment in several ways:

by keeping as much of the native vegetation as possible - building around mature trees and not cutting them down;implementing educational programmes to teach tourists about the local culture, history, plants and wildlife;installing water and energy-saving technology; including tourists in surveys to monitor threatened species.


48

Activity Developing Sustainable Communities Together 2

Read the information, then complete the questions below. R

Even though less than 600,000 people live in the northern tropical savannahs (3% of Australia’s total population), this landscape is an important natural, cultural and economic resource for Australia. The savannahs cover about 20% of the continent’s land mass and are the world’s largest remaining grasslands. The savannahs of Africa, Asia and South America have been greatly reduced and damaged by forest clearing, over-grazing by cattle and the increase in people living in this environment. Northern Australia is still an immense wilderness that has been cared for by its indigenous communities for thousands of years. The tropical savannahs are rich in natural resources that contribute more than $14.5 billion to Australia’s economy each year. It is important to strike a balance between the growth of the mining, pastoral and tourism industries and the conservation of the biodiversity of the savannahs. The Australian federal and state governments are working with research institutions and local people to make decisions about how to manage savannah lands in a sustainable way. For example, ecologists are looking at applying traditional indigenous methods of fire management to prevent bushfires.

Why should we work as a team to look after our tropical savannahs – why are they 1. important?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Identify four groups of people who need to work together to preserve our tropical 2. savannahs. Say what you think each group’s role would be in preserving the savannahs.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Why would it be very difficult to conserve our savannahs without group work? Give 3. an example of one group not working as a team.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________


49

AnswersP7

A democracy. 1. By voting; through petitions; through 2. peaceful protests; writing letters; through speeches; through the media.Students' own responses.3. Students should say a democracy because 4. they should realise that an autocracy only serves the needs of one person or at the very least a few people. Possible responses: The Maldives, 5. Zimbabwe and Iran.

P8Because we would not be honouring a key 1. value which underpins our liberal democratic system of government - freedom. A state religion would not allow people the freedom to practise their own religions. In Australia, it is particularly important to allow people to practise their own religions because we are a multicultural society and migrants and people who descend from other countries may wish to practise their religions to remain connected to their cultures and their beliefs – and they should have the freedom to do this.They could make places of worship specific to 2. each religion available, such as temples, etc. They could teach people about the importance of valuing different religions in Australia. (Other responses may be acceptable.)Censorship refers to the editing of information 3. in an unfair way to serve the needs of a minority group. Censorship of the media by a specific political party prevents freedom of the press. Students might identify China as a country which 4. heavily censors the media. Censorship prevents independent thinking and socially conditions people to view events from one perspective. Four other freedoms are: freedom of 5. association, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of movement.

P9It would be unfair because the interests of the 1. social group prevented from voting would not be heard or catered for. By denying one social group the vote, we would be assuming that one social group is more important than another - and in Australia we believe that everyone is important.It means treating all workers in the same way 2. and not privileging one person above another because of their gender, race or religion.Possible answers: By providing the same 3. facilities for all workers, by allowing all workers to apply for promotions, by paying workers in the same positions equally, etc.

Possible answers: Allowing only one 4. social group to apply for a particular promotion, paying workers in the same position different rates of pay, etc.A school, college, university or other 5. recognised place of study. Possible answers: Offering some courses of 6. study to only men or women, etc. Not catering for people with physical disabilities, etc.Possible answer: By offering all subjects, sporting 7. opportunities and camps, etc. to all types of students, not just one particular group.

P10Students might note that electors of Australia should vote responsibly because: it is in keeping with the spirit of a democracy and respectful of the people who have fought to obtain the vote for all Australians; it ensures that our local needs are met as well as our needs as a nation; our voices are heard and parties in power affect our day to day experiences.

P11People who wish to nominate themselves to be elected are known as candidates. Candidates must be Australian citizens and eligible to vote. This means that they must be over 18 years of age, of sound mind and have no serious criminal convictions. Members of state parliaments, public servants and officers of the Electoral Commission must resign from their positions before they stand for election. People who have an allegiance to another country (including citizens of another country) and who are bankrupt are not eligible to stand for election.

P12Separate voting compartments for voters to 1. mark their ballot papers in private; unmarked voting papers; a non-transparent ballot box; an electoral roll which notes voters’ attendance. i. It is time-consuming and there 2. is room for human error. ii. It would be less time-consuming than the present system and more likely to be accurate. However, it may be harder for people who are not online and not accustomed to computers to vote. Technical errors might occur. (Other responses may be acceptable.)iii. Online voting could establish a system which required a voter to submit a marked voting paper in order to be registered as having voted. The secret ballot supports the fundamental 3. values of a democracy because it allows all Australian citizens to vote and therefore be heard – supporting equality. It ensures that all voters have the freedom to vote confidentially are not coerced to vote for any particular party – this supports justice and fairness.

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P14All electors over the age of 18 and of sound 1. mind have a responsibility to vote in federal elections. Australians living and travelling overseas must still vote via a postal system. This means that all electors should ensure that they are registered on the electoral roll, know where to go to vote and when to vote. Students' own responses.2. The right to vote. 3. A woman who fought for the 4. right to vote in elections. South Australia5. Victoria6. 19627.

Research: Lebanon: partial suffrage – women are required to provide proof of elementary schooling to vote. Brunei: no suffrage for men or women. Saudi Arabia: no suffrage for women. The Vatican City: no suffrage for women. The United Arab Emirates: limited suffrage for men and women.

P20No1. Gillard2. Howard3. 2024. Hockey5.

P21Ballot Paper B1. Ballot Paper C2. Suggested answers: Because they are 3. undecided about who to vote for; they do not value their right and responsibility to vote; they are disinterested in politics; they believe that political leaders’ policies are similar.Because in a democracy all voices should be 4. heard so that their needs are catered for. Voting shows our respect for those who have fought for the democracy that we have in place today. Ballots Paper A and Ballot Paper D.5.

P23Western Australia: number of ballot papers = 147147 divided by 13 plus one = 12Northern Territory: number of ballot papers = 147 147 divided by 3 plus one = 50

P24Students should place a number one next 1. to any party above the line and leave the other parties blank. Students should number all candidates below the line. A Group Voting Ticket is issued by 2. individual senate parties. It informs the AEC how to number their preferences.

P256 = Voters’ names are crossed off the electoral roll.

10 = First preference votes are counted.9 = Scrutineers watch as electoral officers prepare the votes for counting.3 = Candidates make speeches and visit electors.7 = Ballot papers are filled in by voters according to preferences. 5 = Voters collect ‘How-To-Vote’ cards from party supporters.12 = The winning candidate is declared a member of parliament.11 = Second preference votes are counted.4 = Voters go to the polling booth.1 = Pre-selection occurs to decide which candidates from each political party should stand for election.2 = Candidates prepare pamphlets and posters as part of their election campaign.8 = Voters place completed papers in ballot boxes.

The counting of the votes.1. 6pm2. The evening of election day. 3. The House of Representatives4. They collect the results of the votes 5. and enter them into the AEC’s national computerised system.

P26Across1. swinging2. majority4. informal7. house8. commission10. candidate11. years12. minister14. polling16. election18. upper20. ballot21. lower

Down1. seat3. representative5. donkey6. member9. voting13. council15. senate17. count19. party

P28turnout1. ballot paper 2. safe seat3. donkey vote4. electoral roll5. recount 6. provisional vote 7. division 8. formal vote 9. How-To-Vote card 10. seat 11. informal vote12.

P29ballot1. swinging voter2. mobile teams3.

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ordinary vote4. absent vote5. pre-poll votes 6. polling place 7. ballot box 8. quota 9. general postal voter 10. scrutineers11.

P30federal1. Representatives2. freedom or justice3. autocracy4. Canberra5. state6. Senate7. Parliament8. 769. secret ballot10.

general11. referendum12. Parliament13. suffrage14. local or state15. preferential16. proportional17. voting18. democratic19.

P33a. In Australia we do not condone physical 1. violence, therefore we do not punish people using physical violence. If a person deliberately damages another’s eye, he/she would most probably be imprisoned for an appropriate period of time, receive a fine, or in certain circumstances be asked to do community service.b. Australia does not have the death penalty. People who steal from another, depending on the circumstances, would either be imprisoned for an appropriate period of time, receive a fine, or be asked to do community service.c. In Australia, Australians have the right to choose their place of employment and serve notice if they wish to terminate their contract with an employer. Australians would not be formally punished for leaving a place of work.Jewish people.2. Draco created the earliest Greek legal 3. code in 621BC. These laws are perceived today as very harsh. Extremely severe laws today are referred to as Draconian. People are innocent until proven guilty. 4.

P35criminal1. civil2. criminal3. civil4. criminal5. civil6.

P36fisheries and boating officer1. customs official2. police officer3. park ranger4. parking inspector5.

park ranger6. fisheries and boating inspector7. public health inspector8. public health inspector9. police officer10. park ranger11. customs official12.

P38The legislative arm is responsible for making 1. laws. The executive arm is responsible for enforcing laws. The judicial arm is responsible for settling disputes in courts. Fingerprints are taken; a photograph is taken of 2. the offender; the offender is asked to empty his/her pockets and an interview is conducted. Students' own responses. 3. The offender may have received an on-the-4. spot fine or have received a caution.It means that people cannot be arbitrarily 5. accused of committing a crime; it reduces the risk of innocent people being sentenced for crimes that they did not commit.

P40No. They are responsible only for bringing 1. those who they believe have committed an offence before the court. They can however give evidence in court. Small claims tribunals typically deal with private 2. disputes which don’t involve a lot of money, e.g. the collection of small debts, evictions, disputes between landlords and tenants, etc.The ombudsman resolves disputes outside of the 3. court system. It handles complaints and conducts investigations about actions and decisions made by Australian government departments and agencies. It is free and there is an ombudsman in every Australian state and territory.Because people who work at each court 4. specialise in handling and resolving different types of crimes, disputes, etc.The federal courts and those in 5. the states and territories.The high court – it hears cases to do with 6. the states and international law.Students' own responses.7. Any courts below the highest court in each state. 8. Divorce and separation issues, child 9. custody issues, domestic disputes, etc.

P41So that the judge can see the case through 1. different people’s eyes. The more points-of-view considered the fairer the final decision.The likelihood of jury members having a vested 2. interest in a particular case or sharing the same points-of-view on the case is lessened. So that he/she has the best vantage point; 3. all people can present their cases clearly

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to the judge; symbolises his/her position of power/authority in the courtroom. A judge is generally more powerful than a 4. magistrate, because a judge deals with more serious cases and can appoint magistrates.Legal aid is free legal representation. 5. This is important in a democracy because it ensures equality.A judge’s associate is responsible for: drawing 6. out the names of the jury, swearing in the jury, keeping a list of trial exhibits and documents, and recording the verdict of the jury. A judge’s tipstaff announces that the court is in session and swears in witnesses. They look after the jury, escorting them to and from the courtroom and jury room.

P42Through Dreaming stories. 1. It is important that we allow traditional Aboriginal 2. law and modern law to operate side-by-side in society to show that we respect the culture and practices of our indigenous communities and not to privilege one law above another. A punishment which involves controlled violence. 3. It is supervised and its intention is to right wrongs and restore social harmony in the community. Payback is also referred to as traditional violence.

P44The kookaburra, the wombat, the kangaroo, 1. the emu, the frill-necked lizard and the eel.That water should be shared.2. To extract the water from Tiddalick’s mouth 3. by making the greedy frog laugh. yes, the eel tickled Tiddalick’s neck 4. with his tail and made him laugh, “all the water came out of his mouth.”Tiddalick5. you can all use different approaches 6. to achieve a shared aim.

P45Groups: netball team (to win its matches), 1. soldiers (to defeat the enemy), AFL team (to win its matches), class group (to complete an assigned piece of work). First picture: somebody making all the decisions, 2. being too bossy and not valuing all opinions in the group. Second picture: somebody not contributing to the group and wasting time or mocking group members’ ideas. Both pictures: meeting friends, sharing ideas, 3. getting lots of different points-of-view.

P47Many different types of groups need to be 1. involved to make eco-tourism a success. For example in order to build an eco-friendly resort, government bodies such as planning

groups and builders would need to get involved. People would need to support the resorts by staying there. Indigenous Peoples are well-known supporters of eco-tourism. Because they feel passionate about 2. sustainable living; because they want to be a part of something which is innovative and can be successful.

P48They are important because they are rich in 1. natural resources, they would house many animals and they are important to indigenous communities. We need to work as a team to look after them because it would be too great a job for a small group to manage. Indigenous Australians (using fire management 2. methods to preserve them); the Australian federal and state governments (enforcing rules and laws re the preservation of savannahs); mining groups (being careful to mine only a small proportion of the savannahs and using methods which are kind to the environment); tourist groups (ensuring that they do not damage the savannahs when showing them to tourists).If we did not work as a team to preserve 3. the savannahs then their preservation would not be successful. For example if the mining industry did not mine responsibly then savannahs would be damaged.

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