LESSON 13.3 Where did our justice system come from?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • explain the origins of the Australian legal system • make connections between the Australian legal system today and past events.
Tune in A penal colony is a place to exile prisoners, often far away. Port Arthur is a reminder of our early colonial history. Look at FIGURE1 and brainstorm reasons why the British founded a colony in Australia. How is the start of this colony connected to our legal system?
FIGURE1 Penal colony of Port Arthur in Tasmania
1. When was the Penal Colony of Port Arthur established? 2. What was the purpose of Port Arthur as a penal colony? 3. Why is Port Arthur signiýcant in Australian history?
13.3.1 A legal system before European settlement Before the British arrived in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples had their own laws. Different groups followed unique customary laws based on their beliefs and where they lived. These laws were connected to stories, customs and traditions. They helped guide behaviour and relationships. If someone broke a rule, they faced consequences within their community. When the British established a settlement in Australia, they introduced their own laws. They did not recognise the laws that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples had been following for thousands of years.
TOPIC13 Laws and citizens 483
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