1. The Australian Constitution

2. Starter question: (Write question and answer in workbook)
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
Starter question: (Write question and answer in workbook)
​​Can you imagine playing your favourite sport without any rules? What would this look like?

3. Aim: To understand the purpose and value of the Australian Constitution

4. By the end of this lesson I should be able to –
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
By the end of this lesson I should be able to –
​Define 'Australian constitution'
​List the features of the Australian constitution
Explain why the Australian constitution is important to our nation

5. A written document that sets out the rules to govern a nation
Constitution:
A written document that sets out the rules to govern a nation

6. The Beginning of the Australian constitution
Prior to 1901 Australia was made up of 6 individual colonies
Referendum was held in each colony to decide whether to unite under one nation
The joining of all 6 colonies commenced on 01 January This is known as federation
This is when our constitution came into effect.

7. Why is the constitution known as Australia’s birth certificate?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.

8. What is the constitution?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
What is the constitution?
An agreement among the Australian states, outlining the division of power and the rules or laws in the Federal Parliament of Australia
It is divided into 8 chapters and sections

9. What is the purpose of the constitution?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
What is the purpose of the constitution?
Establishes Australia as a democracy
Outlines how to structure our government
Makes sure people in government are chosen by the people through elections
States the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizens

10. What is the purpose of the constitution?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
What is the purpose of the constitution?
Outlines the responsibilities of state governments
Makes sure laws are obeyed
Many people at the time of federation felt that having our constitution was important for national identity

11. What is the value of the constitution?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
What is the value of the constitution?
Provides a consistent set of laws (meaning people can not just make them up as they go)
Describes the role of government and how it should be structured
Defines how power should be divided (so nobody has sole control)
Allows citizens to read and understand the structure and laws of Australia

12. What is the value of the constitution?
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
What is the value of the constitution?
An important feature of the constitution is that it can be changed (although it can be difficult to do)
Why is this so important to us?

13. Advantages of having a constitution
1. A constitution provides a system of rules that government is required to follow. In Australia it means that laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual.
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.
Advantages of having a constitution
Provides a system of rules that government is required to follow (Laws have to be made by a democratically elected parliament, not by any individual)
2. A written constitution can include some rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens of the country. For example, the Australian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
3. In Australia, the Constitution allows for a clear distinction between the powers of the federal parliament and the powers of the state parliaments.

14. Disadvantages of having a constitution
1. A written constitution can be difficult to change as society changes. Australia today is not the same as the colonies of the 1890s when the Constitution was written, and yet we are still bound by a document that is over 100 years old. Back then it was illegal for anyone to bathe on public beaches between 6 am and 8 pm. Imagine if such a law still existed today!
2. Any written document can be open to interpretation. Some words have a number of different meanings. People could argue over those meanings, making a constitution less clear than we would want.
3. Enforcing a constitution depends on the willingness of everyone to obey it. In some countries, dictators dictators have seized power by force and refused to follow the constitution of that country. In 1933, for example, Adolf Hitler seized complete power in Germany. Although Germany had a constitution at the time, Hitler was able to convince the German Parliament to pass laws suspending many of the safeguards in that constitution. This made it easier for him to persecute his political opponents and minority groups such as the Jewish people. Once he gained complete control of Germany, he murdered more than 6 million Jewish people.
Disadvantages of having a constitution
Difficult to change as society changes. Australia today is not the same as the colonies of the 1890s when the Constitution was written, and yet we are still bound by a document that is over 100 years old!
2. Any written document can be open to interpretation. Some words have a number of different meanings. People could argue over those meanings, making a constitution less clear than we would want.
3. Enforcing a constitution depends on the willingness of everyone to obey it. In some countries, dictators have seized power by force and refused to follow the constitution of that country.