Parliamentary Role PlayParliamentary Role Play

Canberra Trip 2004Canberra Trip 2004

Types Of Role PlayTypes Of Role Play

House of Reps DebateHouse of Reps DebateSenate CommitteeSenate CommitteeSenate DebateSenate Debate

House of Reps DebateHouse of Reps Debate

What is needed?What is needed?The BillThe BillDebating vs. FightingDebating vs. FightingThe Role PlayThe Role PlayWhat happens next?What happens next?What is Important?What is Important?What can it be used for?What can it be used for?

What is NeededWhat is Needed

People to play roles of: Speaker, People to play roles of: Speaker, Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Prime Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Minister, Opposition Leader, Ministers, Shadow MinistersMinisters, Shadow Ministers

Majority of students on Government Majority of students on Government side. Minority on Opposition side. side. Minority on Opposition side. Two or so independents.Two or so independents.

Room set up like House of RepsRoom set up like House of Reps

Needed 2Needed 2

Props: Mace, Props: Mace, Gowns, Bell, Gowns, Bell, Scripts, BillScripts, Bill

ConceptsConcepts

ResponsibilityResponsibilityParticipationParticipationLeadershipLeadershipEvaluationEvaluationLearning that they have a voiceLearning that they have a voice

The BillThe Bill

Bills must be in positive termsBills must be in positive termsStudents can create their own bill to Students can create their own bill to

make it more relatable to themmake it more relatable to themWorded as “A bill for an act to_____” Worded as “A bill for an act to_____”

Like “A bill for an act to ban all Like “A bill for an act to ban all contact sports.”contact sports.”

If the kids come up with it, they can If the kids come up with it, they can do their own research.do their own research.

The Role PlayThe Role Play

When everything is set up and all the When everything is set up and all the roles are chosen, the speaker will start roles are chosen, the speaker will start reading the provided scripts.reading the provided scripts.

Students can debate the issueStudents can debate the issueWhen the debate is done, the class When the debate is done, the class

will vote, by saying Aye or Naywill vote, by saying Aye or NayWhen the Speaker says “The ayes When the Speaker says “The ayes

have it” they will ask if a division is have it” they will ask if a division is required.required.

DivisionsDivisions

To show the class how it works, tell To show the class how it works, tell some students to stand away from some students to stand away from their seats and then ring the bell. their seats and then ring the bell. They will rush to take their seats.They will rush to take their seats.

Students will divide. Even though Students will divide. Even though the independents usually go with the the independents usually go with the opposition, the Government usually opposition, the Government usually wins.wins.

Crossing the FloorCrossing the Floor

To illustrate crossing the floor, ask a To illustrate crossing the floor, ask a government member if they agree government member if they agree with the opposition. If they do, have with the opposition. If they do, have them go to the Opposition’s side. them go to the Opposition’s side. Now ask the Prime Minister how they Now ask the Prime Minister how they feel about that. This will illustrate feel about that. This will illustrate why this rarely happens, and why why this rarely happens, and why party members are loyal to their party members are loyal to their side.side.

What happens next?What happens next?

Senate Committee-just for informationSenate Committee-just for informationSenate Debate-Representation is more Senate Debate-Representation is more

equal. Amendments can be introduced.equal. Amendments can be introduced. If bill is passed in the Senate and the If bill is passed in the Senate and the

House, The Governor General signs it. House, The Governor General signs it. You can have the Principal sign a bill if You can have the Principal sign a bill if you wish to have this illustrated.you wish to have this illustrated.

What can this be used for?What can this be used for?

Debating Classroom rulesDebating Classroom rulesDebating Classroom/school issuesDebating Classroom/school issuesDebating Local issues (can write to Debating Local issues (can write to

local member)local member)Tool for deeper understanding (Bill Tool for deeper understanding (Bill

for an act to provide all students with for an act to provide all students with laptop computers)laptop computers)

Much much more!!Much much more!!

Thank you!!!Thank you!!!Yes, this is the end.Yes, this is the end.