LAW AND ORDER

Rights

Freedoms and protections that individuals are entitled to under the law.

Contact Elected Representatives

Expressing views about an issue or law to a Member of Parliament through emails, letters, phone calls, or meetings.

Elected Representative

A person chosen by voters to represent them in parliament.

Lobby Group

A group that provides expert information and campaigns to influence public policy and law-making.

Public Policy

Government plans, decisions, and actions designed to address public issues.

Interest Group

A group that represents people who share a common concern or goal and seeks to influence public opinion or law reform.

Direct Action

Activism that uses protests, strikes, sit-ins, or boycotts to draw attention to an issue or pressure decision-makers.

Strike

A refusal to work as a form of protest.

Protest

A public demonstration expressing opposition to an issue or law.

Sit-in

A protest where people occupy a place and refuse to leave.

Boycott

Refusing to buy or use products or services to protest against a business or policy.

Submission to a Parliamentary Committee

Information, opinions, evidence, or experiences provided to parliament to help inform law-making.

Parliamentary Committee

A group of MPs that investigates issues and gathers evidence to assist parliament.

Parliament

Australia's law-making body made up of elected representatives.

Law-Making

The process of creating, changing, or repealing laws.

Bill

A proposed law that must be passed by parliament before becoming an Act.

House of Representatives

The lower house of the Australian Parliament where members represent electorates.

Senate

The upper house of the Australian Parliament where states have equal representation.

Member of Parliament (MP)

A person elected to represent citizens in parliament.

Government

The party or coalition that holds the majority in the House of Representatives and runs the country.

Coalition

An alliance of political parties that work together to form government.

Representation

MPs acting on behalf of the interests and views of their electorate or state.

Electorate

A geographical area represented by one MP in the House of Representatives.

Scrutinise Government

Parliament's role in examining and holding the government accountable.

Question Time

A parliamentary session where MPs question government ministers about their actions and decisions.

Debate

Formal discussion of proposed laws and government decisions in parliament.

Accountability

The obligation of governments and officials to explain and justify their actions.

Media

Communication platforms that provide information and influence public opinion.

Inform the Public

The role of media in explaining laws, policies, and political issues to citizens.

Scrutinise the Government

The role of media in investigating government actions and exposing problems.

Amplify Public Voices

The role of media in giving individuals, experts, and groups a platform to share opinions.

Public Debate

Discussion among citizens, experts, and leaders about important issues.

Increase Public Awareness

Helping people understand issues, policies, and laws that affect them.

Informed Public Debate

Discussion based on knowledge and understanding of an issue.

Bias

Favouring one viewpoint over another, leading to unfair or unbalanced reporting.

Oversimplification

Making a complex issue appear simpler than it really is.

Sensationalism

Presenting information in an exaggerated or dramatic way to attract attention.

Precedent

A legal principle where judges follow decisions made in previous similar cases.

Common Law

Law developed through court decisions and precedents rather than legislation.

Court

A legal institution where disputes are resolved and laws are interpreted.

Judge

A legal official who interprets the law and makes decisions in court cases.

Legal Principle

A rule or standard established through court decisions.

Technology Change

New technologies that may require courts to develop or adapt legal principles.

Societal Attitudes

The beliefs and values of society that may influence how laws are interpreted.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to all people.

Parliament Has Not Yet Addressed an Issue

When courts must resolve a dispute before parliament creates legislation on the matter.

Mabo Case

The landmark 1992 High Court case that recognised Native Title and rejected terra nullius.

High Court

Australia's highest court, responsible for interpreting the law and creating important precedents.