Australia: Making a Nation
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Discussion Questions: Factors that contributed to the development of democracy in Australia
Discussion Questions: Differing perspectives and key developments leading to federation in Australia
Discussion Questions: Passing of the War Precautions Act 1914
Discussion Questions: Continuity and change of NSW governance structures
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People have developed Australia as a nation
Classroom activities: Describe significant events and people that led to Australia becoming a federated nation on 1 January 1901, using sources as evidence
Classroom activities: Identify the purpose of Australia's Constitution
Classroom activities: Describe how and why symbols and emblems connected to Australian identity have changed over time since Federation
Classroom activities: Research and describe the work of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Commonwealth of Australia since Federation
People in Australia have democratic roles and responsibilities
Classroom activities: Describe the origins and values underpinning Australia's bicameral parliamentary system of government
Classroom activities: Explain the origin of the principle that all people are equal before the law and must obey laws
Classroom activities: Describe how bills are passed through Federal Parliament to make a law using Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Classroom activities: Describe the roles and responsibilities of 3 levels of government in Australia
Classroom activities: Describe the ways people can participate in democracy in Australia
Classroom activities: Research how voting rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and women were obtained in Australia using timelines to sequence key events
Discussion Questions: Factors that contributed to the development of democracy in Australia
Discussion 1:
Democracy is more than voting. What other elements are needed in a society to ensure that every person has a say in how they are governed?
Discussion 2:
In 1788, the early colony of New South Wales was not a democracy, but it did operate under the rule of law. What legal rights existed at this time, and why were they important in the early days of the colony?
Discussion 3:
English legal traditions played an important role in the development of democracy in Australia. What were some of these traditions? Why was it not practical or sustainable for the Governor to have total control of the colony?
Activity:
Summarise what you know about the rule of law or equality before the law on the blank playing card:
Related Resources
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An overview of the major factors that shaped the development of democracy in Australia, including egalitarian legal ideals shown in cases like Kable v Sinclair, the introduction of checks and balances through institutions such as the Supreme Court and a free press, the influence of immigration and political activism including Chartism and the Eureka Stockade, and the constitutional debates that led the colonies to design their own representative systems of government.
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A summary of the key arguments for and against Federation in Australia, including support for unified defence, emerging nationalist ideas, immigration control, and economic disagreements. It also outlines major developments from the 1880s to 1901, from the Federal Council and Tenterfield Oration to the Conventions, referendums, and final passage of the Constitution.
Explore Related Topics
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Federation of Australia
Explore resources on Federation in 1901, outlining how Australia became a nation, divided powers, and established the constitutional structures and institutions that govern today.
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Democracy
Explore resources on democracy, highlighting how accountability and representative institutions ensure power is exercised fairly and transparently through open processes, civic engagement and responsible governance.
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Human Rights
Explore resources on human rights and freedoms, outlining the key protections, legal frameworks, that support rights, and explore how rights and responsibilities are balanced against government power in Australia.