17.3 SkillBuilder activity PARTICIPATING IN CIVIC PROCESSES In this activity you will develop a plan of action to raise an issue and make sure that your voice is heard. You will also need to provide a consultation and feedback process to make sure that everyone involved has an opportunity to respond. This activity can be conducted ‘for real’ or just as planning up to question 5. Have your say Working in a group of up to three people, complete the following activities. 1. Brainstorm a variety of issues in: this class a. your school b. your local community c. your national community d. theworld. e. 2. Choose one issue from your brainstorm to focus on. It does not matter at which level; choose the issue you are most passionate about. 3. Identify the stakeholders: Who are the people involved in the issue? Consider both those directly impacted by the issue and those who have some power to resolve or change the issue. 4. Propose a way to gather information to ensure a range of voices are heard (i.e. not just your opinion). For example, you could create a survey, petition or website to collect information. 5. Decide who you should communicate your information with: who from your list of stakeholders could use this information to act? Identify who would benefit from receiving the information.
17.3
Exercise
Learning pathways LEVEL1 1, 2, 5
LEVEL2
LEVEL3
3, 4, 8
6, 7, 9
REMEMBER AND UNDERSTAND 1. Define electorate . 2. State what is the estimated percentage of people aged between 18 and 24 who have not registered to vote.
A. 10per cent B. 20per cent C. 25per cent D. 30per cent 3. Outline the role elected representatives play in government. 4. Explain two different ways of forming government.
ANALYSE AND APPLY 5. Identify the particular right that Australians have that makes this country a democracy. 6. Explain why the Senate is elected in a different way from the House of Representatives.
7. Members of the Australian Parliament are paid over $200 000 per year. Some people argue that, as they spend less than half the year in Canberra, and only four days a week in Parliament when they are there, they are overpaid. State whether this is a fair assessment of a member’s work. Give two reasons to justify your opinion. EVALUATE AND COMMUNICATE 8. Explain what is meant by a hung parliament and how it influences the formation of government in Australia. 9. Explain the role of the opposition in the Australian parliamentary system and evaluate how it can impact the current government. Answers and sample responses for this topic are available online.
TOPIC17 Australia’s government and democracy 509
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