Area of study 1 Parliament and the citizen
Parliaments are the supreme law-making bodies in the Australian legal system; their role is to make laws that reflect the views and values of Australian society. This area of study focuses on the principles that underpin the Australian parliamentary system as well as an investigation of parliament as a lawmaking body. Students explore the factors that may influence parliament in bringing about changes in the law by examining the role that individuals and groups may play. Through an investigation of the structure and role of parliament, and the processes it follows in passing legislation, students evaluate the overall effectiveness of parliament as a law-making body.
Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the structure and role of parliament, including its processes and effectiveness as a law-making body, describe why legal change is needed, and the means by which such change can be influenced.
Key knowledge
- principles of the Australian parliamentary system: representative government, responsible government, and the separation of powers
- the structure of the Victorian Parliament and the Commonwealth Parliament and the roles played by the Crown and the Houses of Parliament in law-making
- the reasons why laws may need to change
- the role of the Victorian Law Reform Commission
- the means by which individuals and groups influence legislative change, including petitions, demonstrations and use of the media
- the legislative process for the progress of a bill through parliament
- strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body.
Key skills
- define key legal terminology and use it appropriately
- discuss, interpret and analyse legal information and data
- explain the principles and structures of the Australian parliamentary system
- use contemporary examples to explain the influences on legislative change
- evaluate the effectiveness of methods used by individuals and groups to influence change in the law
- critically evaluate the law-making processes of parliament.
