It's My Right, Isn't It?

Year 8 - Government and democracy 

 The freedoms that enable active participation in Australia’s democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (ACHCK061) 

• explaining how each freedom supports active participation in Australia’s democracy   
• discussing how and why ‘the bounds of law’ can limit these freedoms 
• considering the circumstances that can lead to dissent in a democracy 
• debating how to manage situations when rights and freedoms are in conflict (for example, whether it should be a matter for parliaments or judges to resolve) 

How citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, and direct action (ACHCK062) 

• comparing the effectiveness of different forms of participation in Australia’s democracy 
• exploring how elected representatives can advocate on behalf of citizens 
• investigating examples where citizens have taken direct action such as organising a public demonstration or social media campaign 
• analysing how opinion polls are conducted and the ways they are used in democratic debate 
• exploring the different ways that citizens can participate in and support Australia’s democracy through their working lives, such as by serving in the armed services or as a reservist, teaching, representing Australia abroad as a diplomat or aid worker, or joining the police service or the public service 

Year 9 - Government and democracy 

 The role of political parties and independent representatives in Australia’s system of government, including the formation of governments (ACHCK075)

• investigating how the contemporary party system operates in Australia’s liberal democracy and how governments are formed in parliament 
• discussing the meaning of key concepts such as parliamentary majority, the opposition, hung parliament, minority government 
• exploring the role of the Senate and state upper Houses, and the balance of power in these Houses 

How citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media (ACHCK076)

• discussing how social media is used to influence people’s understanding of issues 

The process through which government policy is shaped and developed, including the role of Prime Minister and Cabinet (ACHCK103)

• investigating the development and implementation of policy and the role of the public service in Australia, including the role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in proposing policy and the role of parliament in debating it 

 Year 10 - Government and democracy 

 The key features and values of Australia’s system of government compared with at least ONE other system of government in the Asia region (ACHCK090) 

• categorising the key features of Australia’s system of government (for example, democratic elections and the separation of powers) and comparing and contrasting these to the key features found in another country in the Asia region, such as Japan, India or Indonesia 

 The Australian Government’s role and responsibilities at a global level, for example provision of foreign aid, peacekeeping, participation in international organisations and the United Nations (ACHCK091) 

investigating Australia’s involvement with the United Nations (for example, representation in the organisation and adherence to conventions and declarations that Australia has ratified)