Year 6 News

Parliament Process Incursion Recount

On the 30 of August 2022 we had an incursion on the Parliament Process. Dan from ‘Linked’ showed us a slide show about the 3 levels of government and how people get elected to Parliament. Once he finished the slide show we got on to the party candidates; he asked for 6 volunteers. After the volunteers were selected, we had a democratic vote. 

The parties were: Animal Party, Environmental Party, Equality Party, Happiness Party, Peace Party and Relaxation Party. To win, a party needed the majority of votes (at least half the voting population). To vote we had to go to the voting stand, where voting officials would ask us: ‘What is your name?’ ’Have you voted here before?’ and, ‘Are you allowed to vote?’ 

After we numbered each party in the order we wanted, we placed the slip inside the voting box which 2 security guards watched over. Then the security guards counted the votes. The party with the least number of votes was eliminated. It did not end there, though, since the winner needed to get 16 or more votes. We had to go to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place boxes.

 Once voting had concluded, the leaders got to sit at a T shaped table in the House of Representatives which in real life is all GREEN... green seats, green carpet, green walls. There were also 3 other positions: The clerk, The speaker, and the Serjeant at Arms. The Serjeant at Arms had a Mace to protect the Speaker! 

There were also different speakers who spoke at various times such as: the two Whips, the member for Deakin, member for Melbourne, and member for Hawke. The Speaker and the clerk sat at the top of the T shaped table. All the other ’Members of Parliament’ sat in chairs surrounding the T-shaped table. A bill (a new law) was given to the clerk, then the clerk read out the bill. 

The debate began once the clerk rang the bell and the speaker asked all the people to sit down, then the speaker started the session. 

There were back and forth statements/arguments from both sides of the table until a break. The second half began, and then halfway through the opposition called a division. The clerk rang the bell and started the hourglass timer for 4 minutes. The Serjeant at Arms locked the imaginary doors and 4 minutes later all members were expected back in session. A few minutes later the division began. 

After much debating, the Government came out on top with more votes and the ’bill’ was passed. It is extremely difficult for the government to lose because the government has more members in their party. This is because of democracy and tradition. 

All students learnt heaps about the process from Dan who was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. The role play really helped to us understand how things work in real life!

By Mason 6B, Jack 6B, Slater 6B, Henry 6C, Jamie 6B