Parties Control Parliament

At a glance

• Student introduction
• Focus question 1: What role do political parties have in parliament and government?
• Focus question 2: Who do Australia's political parties represent?
• Focus question 3: How do parties select policies and campaign for government?

Student introduction

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)	Preparation
Introduction Public opinion of political parties	Preparation for and conduct of an opinion poll (concurrently with progressing through the unit)	Prepare the opinion poll sheets and set deadlines for completion of opinion poll work.

Student introduction

Focus question 1: What role do political parties have in parliament and government?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)	Preparation
Political parties	Introductory investigation: policies of political parties
Functions of political parties Forming governments             Reasons for having political parties         Party discipline	Data analysis and synthesis: forming governments Definition and allocation of government responsibilities       Analysis: advantages and disadvantages of a party-based parliamentary system Discussion and role-play: party discipline Summary: forms of government accountability to the electorate Interactive and research: role of political parties within the Senate Research task: relevant self-chosen topic Summary and synthesis: Development of a pamphlet for new citizens of Australia on the role and functions of political parties	Use the poster 'The Commonwealth Government' together with Briefing 1a. The material on Upper Houses in 'Should the People Rule?' will be useful background information for Activity 2f and 7b.                           Provide access to Parliament at Work website, Parliament at Work CD ROM

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 2: Who do Australia's political parties represent?

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 3: How do parties select policies and campaign for government?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)	Preparation
The 1972 election campaign - media - polls - issues	Interpretation and discussion of evidence: advice from media consultants Interpretation and discussion of evidence: media campaigns and policies Synthesis, reporting and discussion of results: the earlier opinion poll Data manipulation and individual reports: the earlier opinion poll Display preparation and presentation slogans, policies and issues for a youth-based political party Statement preparation: beliefs, objects and distinctiveness of the chosen party.	Invite parents, friends, staff and local identities to the display about the youth-based political parties

Teaching and learning activities