Overview of Programs

The ACT Legislative Assembly’s parliamentary education unit aims to promote an understanding and appreciation of the role and significance of the Legislative Assembly to the citizens of the ACT and its visitors.

Programs are conducted by secretariat staff at the Legislative Assembly or off-site on request. Elected Members may also be invited to speak to school and community groups by direct arrangement with the Member’s office. Contact details are available on the Assembly website at www.parliament.act.gov.au

How to make a booking

Resources

School programs

School safety information

The Assembly’s education office provides a range of services including:

• learning activities for primary and secondary students;
• tours for community groups and individuals;
• workshops and presentations on the history and role of the assembly;
• specific programs for senior secondary students such as parliamentary debates, youth parliament and the ACT Schools’ Constitutional Convention;
• work experience, traineeships and internships for secondary and tertiary students;
• the provision of information, educational and promotional publications on the assembly in print and electronic formats; and
• the organisation of an open day once per sitting term

Programs can be provided on arrangement for:

• primary schools, secondary schools and colleges;
• TAFE and university students;
• migrant literacy classes;
• community groups;
• ACT public servants;
• parliamentary and governmental delegations; and
• teacher professional development

We are able to cater for short one-hour visits or full day programs, for groups from 10 to 80 people, depending on room availability. All programs are free of charge, with the exception of the Public Service Seminar Series.

To book a visit, please contact the Education Office and we will attempt to tailor a program to suit your needs. Please let us know:

• the year level/age of your group;
• the number of participants
• your contact details;
• proposed date of visit (provide an alternate date if possible);
• time constraints;
• educational aims; and
• special needs if appropriate;

Once your visit has been finalised you will be sent a booking confirmation form, together with site safety information and pre-visit resources.

We can provide a range of information and educational resources to support your visit, aimed both for the general reader and specific audiences such as ESL or school groups. The following publications are provided to teachers in a pre-visit information pack:

• a series of fact sheets covering topics such as the history of the assembly; government in the act; what happens in the chamber; and how bills are passed;
• a set of fact sheets from elections ACT on how members are elected;
• an activity workbook for primary students;
• an activity workbook for secondary students;
• a set of master worksheets for teachers;
• a brochure introducing current members of the Assembly;
• a booklet explaining chamber documents and procedures;
• an assortment of postcards and bookmarks featuring the mace, coat of arms, flag, and floral and faunal emblems of the ACT

Any of the above publications can be ordered by interested members of the public, and many are also available on our website www.parliament.act.gov.au

Please note that all programs are consistent with the new curriculum framework "Every Chance to learn" under the ELA22 outcome –"student understands and values what it means to be a citizen within a democracy".

Introduces students to the idea of political representation – why we have a legislature, what Members do, and what happens in the Chamber. Includes a short film "One of a Kind" on the unique nature of Assembly and its place in the history of the ACT.

Gives the Assembly a personal face by giving students an opportunity to meet local Members and have their voices heard. MLAs are invited to answer questions from students about their role as parliamentarians, why they stood for office; what they do in their daily work; or to discuss current issues before the Assembly.

If teachers wish to discuss a specific issue a list of questions should be forwarded to the Education Office prior to the visit.

Students take part in their own election, taking on the roles of voters and polling officials in ballots such as the electorate of Sport and Celebrity. Votes are counted using the same Hare-Clark electoral system used to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Delivered in conjunction with Elections ACT. Visit their website to download resources to help you run your own Hare-Clark election. www.elections.act.gov.au

Students take on roles as the Speaker, Clerk, Attendants, Government, Opposition and Crossbench members and enact the opening of a sitting day, including the ceremonial placement of the mace in the chamber.

Students form an Assembly in the Chamber and elect a Speaker and Chief Minister. They then participate in one of three types of debates as follows:

1. A motion – a proposal is presented, debated and voted upon (allows up to 10 speaking roles)
2. A Matter of Public Importance – students speak on a topical theme (allows up to 20 speaking roles)
3. Adjournment Debate- students chose their own theme to present to the Assembly (allows up to 20 speaking roles)

Students take their place in the public gallery to observe Members during Question Time. In the following debrief session students discuss principles of accountable government and the protocols of parliamentary debating.

Students participate in a role play of a typical sitting session, including the presentation of petitions, moving and debating a motion, debating a Matter of Public Importance and an Adjournment Debate. Teachers are provided with an information pack on how to prepare for the session, including a selection of topics for debate.

The Assembly runs five debate sessions each year for teams of four to six students from Years 8/9; Year 10 and Years 11/12. The program aims to provide:

• an introduction to the Assembly for a wide variety of students;
• an experience of debating in the Westminster tradition;
• the opportunity to practice public speaking skills in the formal setting of the chamber;
• knowledge and experience in working with parliamentary terminology and practices.