2 Module 2: Differences Between Rules & Laws
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Making in Western A Law ustr alia enship - Upper Prima and Citiz ry / Low ivics er Se C cond ary ginal Student Work Abori book Par liam ent ary E alia duca ustr tion O ern A f ce - Parliament of West Module 2 Differences between ModuleRules & Laws - 21 Module - 1 Lawmaking in Western Australia Module 2 Differences between Rules & Laws • Our State Parliament • Our Bicameral Parliament • Carol Martin’s story • Ernie Bridge’s story • Ben Wyatt’s story Further information please contact: Parliamentary Education Office 08 9222 7259 Parliament House Harvest Terrace, Perth WA 6000 [email protected] www.parliament.wa.gov.au Artwork ‘Acceptance of loss’, 2004. Courtesy of Carol Martin. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part for educational purposes, within educational institutions and on condition it is not offered for sale, is permitted by the Parliament of Western Australia. 2 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws 1 What’s the difference between rules and laws? 2 Rules and laws both tell you what you can and cannot do. 3 You can tell the difference between rules and laws if you know: • Who made it? • Who has to follow it? • What happens if you break it? RULES Laws • Home • School Who made it? Parliament • Sports Club Who has to follow it? Everyone Only Members of a group, such as a family, school or team Not that serious, such as: Very serious • detention with police: • grounded What happens if you • courts • pick up litter break it? Police • fines • jail 3 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Is the sentence in the box a rule, a law or both? Wear a school uniform to school Don’t drive a car without a WA Driver’s Licence Don’t be late for school You can vote when you Don’t hit anyone are 18 years old Both rule Rule and law Law 4 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws So far we have seen that we are required to follow rules and laws in Western Australia. It is Members of the Western Australian Parliament who are responsible for making these laws. Who can be a Member of Parliament? To be a Member of the Parliament of Western Australia you must be: • An Australian citizen • Over the age of 18, and • you must live in Western Australia. We have been fortunate enough to have some important Aboriginal Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. One of the important aspects of an inclusive democracy is that we have the opportunity to hear from many different voices. These Aboriginal Members of Parliament have brought with them, many different life experiences that have enriched our Parliament and provided unique cultural insights that have benefited all of Western Australia. On the following pages we will learn about three of these important people and the contributions they have made to our State. 5 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Carol Martin b 1957 ‘The first Aboriginal woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Australia.’ Carol Martin’s Story • A Yamatji and Noongar woman who grew up in Carnarvon and Perth. • Joined Australian Labor Party in 1993. • Represented the seat of Kimberley in the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) from 2001 until her retirement in 2013. • Has a bachelor of arts degree in Social Work. • After 1993, she worked with several organisations and projects in the Kimberley as counsellor, consultant and trainer. • An active artist with some works on display at Curtin University Centre for Aboriginal Studies Board Room. Her artwork is also featured on this work book. 6 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Carol Martin’s Story Write the missing words to Carol’s Story below 2013 Parliament elected Australia Member represented Assembly Kimberley Laws 2001 1. Parliament House in Perth, is the place where L are made in Western Australia. 2. Carol Martin was the first Aboriginal woman to be e as a M of P in Western A . 3. Carol, was the Member for K in the Legislative A ____________________ at Parliament House from 2 to 2 7 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Ernie Bridge 1936 - 2013 ‘The first Aboriginal person to be elected to the Parliament of Western Australia and the first Aboriginal person in Australia to become a Cabinet Minister.’ Ernie Bridge’s Story • Born in Halls Creek. • Elected to the seat of Kimberley in 1980; in that seat for 21 years. • Joined the Australian Labor Party and then became an Independent in 1996. • Made the Minister for Water Resources and became the first aboriginal person in Australia to become a Cabinet Minister. He also became the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Agriculture. • Awarded Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal for community service 1977 • Awarded Centenary of Federation Medal 2003 • In 1993, he received an OAM “in recognition of service to the WA Parliament and to Aboriginal Affairs”. • He was a talented musician where he recorded a number of albums of Australia bush ballads. • Won the Halls Creek Cup as a jockey in 1955. 8 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Ben Sana Wyatt b 1974 ‘The first Aboriginal Treasurer in the Parliament of Western Australia.’ Ben Wyatt’s Story • A proud Yamatji man from Meekatharra. • Elected to the seat of Victoria Park in the Perth metropolitan area after the resignation of the Premier, Hon Dr Geoff Gallop in 2006. • Studied Arts and Law at the University of Western Australia with a law degree completed in 1997. • Undertook training at the Australian Army Reserves at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. • Recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, with Masters (MSc) at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2000. • Son of the late Cedric Morgan Wyatt, CEO Jigalong Community, who was the state and federal public servant in Aboriginal Affairs. • Nephew to Federal MP, Ken Wyatt, the first Aboriginal member of Federal Parliament for the Liberal Party. • Awarded Town of Victoria Park Young Australian of the Year 2001. 9 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Our State Parliament Read the poem ‘The People’s House’ below and answer the following questions. ‘The People’s House’ Members of the Legislative Assembly are known as MLAs. Drafting Bills for four whole years is how they’ll spend their days. In the Legislative Council they’re known as MLCs. They check the bills up to three times before approving if they please When each house approves the Bill, to the Governor it is sent. The Bill will then become an Act, once it has royal assent The Governor represents the Queen in our state of WA. She will only pass the Bill as Law, when each house has had its say The symbol of the Assembly is a heavy, golden mace. Carried by the Sergeant at Arms, before the Speaker takes their place For the Usher in the Council, a different path is trod. For they knock three times on the Assembly’s door, with their small black rod This system’s called bicameral, meaning not one house but two. Our upper house is coloured red, our lower coloured blue. In the Assembly we have a Speaker who keeps order good and fair. In the Council we have a President who sits upon the chair They are both a bit like umpires, their positions are protected. And if a member’s out of line, from the house they’ll be ejected So although there’s sometimes arguments and different points of view This historic Westminster system keeps it transparent and true These laws they make affect us, every single day. Where you work or go to school or even where you play. How much we pay for power or riding on a bus. Don’t forget that parliament is there for all of us. So every West Australian right across our state Your future is in your own hands you decide your fate So meet your local member and come to parliament We call this place the people’s house because it’s you they represent. 10 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Our State Parliament Answer the following questions from ‘The People’s House’ poem. What does MLA stand for?________________________________________________ What does MLC stand for?________________________________________________ How long is a parliamentary term in Western Australia?__________________________ Which house reviews proposed laws?________________________________________ How many houses need to approve a bill in order for it to become law?______________ Who is the Queen’s representative in Western Australia?__________________________ What is the symbol of the legislative Assembly?_______________________________ What is the term given to the person carrying the above symbol? ___________________________________________________________________ What is the symbol of the Legislative Council?_________________________________ Who carries this symbolic object?__________________________________________ What does the term bicameral refer to?_____________________________________ The President sits in which house? ________________________________________ 11 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws Our Bicameral Parliament Our Parliament House has two rooms for making laws. It is a bicameral (a two chamber) Parliament. The red room is the Legislative Council The blue room is the Legislative Assembly The Meeting Places for Making Laws in Parliament House Parliament House Perth, Western Australia. Parliament House in Perth is where laws are made by Members of Parliament for Western Australia. 12 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws The Legislative Council (red room) There are 6 electoral regions in Western Australia. There are 36 Members of the Legislative Council. Your electoral region is where you live and where your parents and Australians 18 years and over, are enrolled to vote in a state election. 13 Module 2: Differences between Rules & Laws The Legislative Council (red room) Find ONE of your local Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) on the Parliament of Western Australia website to answer the following questions.