module 3 - parliament of western australia
TRANSCRIPT
1Module - 1Module 3
Connections to Parliament
Aboriginal Student Workbook
Law Making in Western Australia
Civics and Citizenship - Upper Primary / Lower Secondary
Parliamentary Education Of ce - Parliament of Western Australia
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Lawmaking in Western Australia
Module 3
Further information please contact:Parliamentary Education Office08 9222 7259Parliament HouseHarvest Terrace, Perth WA [email protected]
Artwork ‘Acceptance of loss’, 2004. Courtesy of Carol Martin.Reproduction of this publication in whole or part for educationalpurposes, within educational institutions and on condition it is not offered for sale, is permitted by the Parliament of Western Australia.
Connections to Parliament • How a bill becomes a law • 3 Levels of government • Active citizenship
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
We have seen in the last two modules the difference between rules and laws andwhere laws are made, but how are they made?
A law starts its life as a bill and a bill starts its life as an idea. There are many lawsin Western Australia today that began their lives as ideas.
Who comes up with the idea?
Before an idea becomes a law, it must first become a bill. A bill is a written idea that is first presented to Parliament by a member. This is called the First Reading and normallyhappens in the Legislative Assembly.
For a bill to become law, it is a little bit like a basketball tournament where a certain number of games need to be won both home (Legislative Assembly) and away (Legislative Council).
How a bill becomes a law
But how does an idea become a law?
These ideas can come from anyone. A Member of Parliament, Political Parties,
the Public Service and even members of the Public can all contribute their ideas which
may one day become a law.
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The minister for the LA 59ers passes the bill into the house as we tip off for the first reading. All players get their hands on the bill as it moves rapidly around the
house and most agree it is a bill worth a bounce.
Module 3: Connections to Parliament
In the second stage of play the minister throws the bill beyond the mid court where it is collected by all players on both the right and left wings of the house. After the
minister explains his game plan there is some toing and throwing. This is called the second reading, which lasts until the Speaker calls for a ‘time out’.
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The minister’s bill is then checked for punctures and weak spots by any interested players and
this is called consideration in detail.
Legislative Assembly Stadium
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
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When the bill is thrown back into court and a majority of players within the LA 59ers agree that the bill is in good shape it is called the third reading.
The LA 59ers win the game and the bill is then bounced upstairs for the play offs.
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In round one of the play offs,the bill is bounced by the LC 36ers in the LC stadium who are a new set of players assembled
for a closer inspection. This is called the First Reading in the Legislative Council.
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
The bill is thrown back into play in round two of the play offs and is passed through the hands of all the players, the President of the Legislative Council
calls ‘Time-out’. This is called the Second Reading.
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After a 3 week lay- off, the bill is thrown back into play where the LC 36ers review the LA 59ers game plan. This is called the
Second Reading debate. Some players notice some slight holes in the Bill and want it sent away for improvement.
This is called the Committee of the Whole.
We are now ready for the final play off. Now the bill is ready for the big 3 pointer – this is the Third Reading, the ultimate goal. When the bill is passed by the majority of players in the LC stadium, the President deems game over.
The bill is then thrown to the Governor who gives this bill Royal Assent, meaning that the bill has become a new law, known as an Act of Parliament.
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Passage of legislation - Making a law
Changes made in one house require the
agreement of the other.
The bill isusually drafted by the government
Begins in the Legislative Assembly
Legislative AssemblyIntroduction & First Reading
Second ReadingConsideration in detail stage
Third Reading
Begins in the Legislative Council
The bill then
Becomes a law
Royal Assent
Legislative Council Introduction & First Reading
Second ReadingCommittee stage
Third Reading
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Passage of legislation - Making a law
Changes made in one house require the
agreement of the other.
The b___________ is
usually drafted by the G_______________
Begins in the
Legislative AssemblyIntroduction & First Reading
Second ReadingConsideration in detail stage
Third Reading
Begins in the Legislative Council
The b_________ then
Becomes a l_________
Royal _________________
Legislative
_______________ & _____________ Reading
Committee stage_____________ Reading
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Federal ParliamentAustralia has one Federal Parliament in Canberra. The Federal Parliament makes laws or legislates
for the whole of Australia.
Parliament of Australia, Canberra, ACT
State/Territory ParliamentsAustralia has six State and two Territory
Parliaments that make laws only for their own State or Territory.
Parliament of WA, Perth
Local GovernmentWestern Australia has 138 local governments that make local laws or by-laws for their shire.My local government is
3 Levels of Government
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
3 Levels of GovernmentLiving in Western Australia, the biggest state in the
country means that a lot of laws have been made to make our lives better. These laws are made by three different
levels of government, each one having separate responsibilities.
The second level is state parliament, which has responsibility for any laws within each individual state
(or territory) that are not covered by the Australian Constitution. The Parliament of Western Australia for
example can pass laws on hospitals, schools and any other services that are not the sole responsibility of
the Federal Parliament.
Finally the first level is the federal parliament, which passes laws relating to the entire country of
Australia, such as defence and immigration. In some cases, certain areas of responsibility may be covered
by both state and federal parliament. When this occurs, federal law has the power to overrule state law.
The third level of government which make lawsat a local level is called local government.
These governments are responsible for makingsure rubbish bins are emptied from homes and parks,
that pets are controlled properly, alongwith lots of other issues that affect your local
community on a day to day basis.
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
3 Levels of Government
Federal Parliament
State/TerritoryParliaments
Animal Licensing
Playgrounds, Parks & Gardens
Public Transport
Fire & EmergencyServices
Rubbish Collection
Police
Police
HospitalsHospital
Postal Services
Taxation
Recreation Centres
Libraries
Schools
Defence
Airports
Immigration
Type either Federal, State or Local to identify the responsibilities and level of Government that takes care of them in the boxes below.
Local Government
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Active CitizenshipSo far we have looked at how laws are made in our democracy, along with the three levels of government, however it’s important to remember that democracy meansthe rule of the people. Therefore as a Western Australian citizen, you have an importantrole to play in being part of Western Australian democracy. By contributing todemocracy you are demonstrating active citizenship.
You can be an active citizen in lots of ways.
Think about how you contribute to your sporting team, class or community.
What are some of the things you can do to make each of these better spaces?
How can I be an active citizen?
Look at the below list and provide examples:
I can be a good team mate by
I can be a good class mate by .....
I respect my Elders by....
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Values In Our Representative DemocracyStandards which are very important and worthwhile are called KEY VALUES.
In Australia’s democratic system of government these key values are:
Freedom Fairness Equality Justice
Here are some other values that help the Western Australian Parliament make laws for ‘peace, order and good government’.
Justice
Respect
Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Care and Compassion
Freedom
Fairness
Safety
One Vote, One Value
Diversity
Sustainability
Being an active citizen is the same. It’s all about workingtogether to make Western Australia the best place it can be.
You can do this by upholding the key values of our democracy which are: Freedom, Fairness, Equality andJustice.
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
Values in our Representative Democracy
Make up your own bill to fill in this section.
Match the values of our democracy ON THE PREVIOUS PAGEto the proposed laws or 'Bills' BELOW.
Title of the Bill
Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan)
(Past, Present, Future) Recognition Bill 2015
Dog Amendment Bill 2013
Electoral Amendment Bill 2016
Purpose of the Bill
A Bill for the recognition of the Noongarpeople as the traditional owners of the
lands in the southwest of WA
A Bill to introduce stricter control ofdangerous dogs
A Bill to improve and modernise electoraladministration for electors with
disabilities, political parties and candidates
Values
Title of the Bill Purpose of the Bill Values
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Module 3: Connections to Parliament
2 But I can’t even vote, so how can I be an active citizen?
1 Living in a democracy means that you have the freedom to try and change laws if you think they are unfair, unequal or unjust.
3 Great question! Although you cannot legally vote until you are eighteen, there are many other things you can do to be an active member of your Western Australia Democracy.
4 So although you may not be able to vote you can still be an active citizen in your class, community and country. Democracy is all about not just having a voice but the freedom to use it. Well done on being an active citizen and strengthening Western Australia’s democracy.
Tick the items that I can do to influence government. Attend an Aboriginal Land Council meeting
Attend a Local Government Meeting
Design a leaflet or poster
Vote in an election
Vote at a referendum to change the constitution
Wear a badge, ribbon or T-shirt supporting a cause
Learn more about the Parliament of Western Australia
Join a political party
Watch a session of parliament
Put up posters
Talk to my family and friends about an issue that affects us
Stand for parliament or council
Put a post on Facebook commenting on a social issue
Invite my local member to meet with my family or community