LESSON 17.5 How is opinion on government shaped?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to identify the roles of political parties and elected representatives.
Tune in During political debates like the 2022 Great Debate ( FIGURE1 ) discussions should be centred on national policy, finance and other important national issues. However, because party leaders are also real people, these debates can sometimes become very heated. It is the role of the chairperson to maintain order in a debate. 1. If you were chairing a debate between two party leaders, what rules would you put inplace? 2. What are the advantages to a live, televised political debate? 3. What are the disadvantages?
FIGURE1 Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison during the 2022 Great Debate
17.5.1 Political debates The word ‘parliament’ actually comes from the French parler , meaning to speak. Debate and discussion are a vital part of the democratic process. Political debates are held between the members of opposing political parties: sometimes the leaders. Debates like the 2022 Great Debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are televised and broadcast nationally, where they try to convince the public to listen to their party’s message. Other kinds of political debates include the debates in the House of Representatives when a new Bill is proposed. To ‘move a motion’ or make a decision in the House of Representatives, the following structure is followed in the debate: • A member gives notice (if necessary). • The member moves the motion. • Another member seconds the motion (if necessary).
• The chair proposes the question. • Members debate the question. • (Members may move amendments, which are debated and voted on.) • The chair puts the question (as amended). • The House makes its decision.
There are also many rules governing what can be said during the debate. These rules include remaining on topic, not using derogatory or insulting language, and not being ‘tedious’ or repetitive. It is the job of the chair to enforce order in a debate.
514 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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