Parliament House Tour

The Year 12 Legal Studies class recently had the opportunity to visit the historically significant Parliament House in Melbourne. 

Students were granted access to both the Legislative Chambers and the Parliamentary Library as part of a curriculum-focused excursion designed to deepen their understanding of the Australian legal system.

Cherub Sandhu, a Legal Studies student, has written the following summary;

"On Monday, 13th June 2025, Nina Taghaddosi, along with Aakarsh Sharma, led her Year 12 Legal Studies class on an insightful excursion to the Parliament of Victoria. This visit was an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the role of Parliament in Australia’s legal system.

The Victorian Parliament stands as a cornerstone of Australia's democracy, where laws are introduced, debated, and enacted. Upon our arrival, we underwent thorough security checks before being greeted by our guide, Grace. She outlined the purpose and importance of the Parliament, highlighting that it is a public venue accessible to everyone, irrespective of age, gender, or ethnicity. Grace also pointed out that Parliament is bound by the laws it establishes, reinforcing the crucial notion that no individual is above the law.

Inside the Legislative Assembly, or the lower house, Grace reenacted essential parliamentary procedures and clarified the seating arrangements and roles of each member in the law-making process. This provided us with a clearer insight into the workings of the lower house and the initial stages of law creation.

Although the Legislative Council was unavailable due to an event, we had the opportunity to observe it from the ‘People’s Gallery’ and received a summary of its responsibilities in reviewing and refining proposed legislation.

We also discovered the importance of the Mace, which symbolises both the Royal and the Speaker’s authority. Before the election of a Speaker, the Mace is positioned beneath the table, and once the Speaker is elected, it is placed on the table to signify their authority.

An interesting highlight was reviewing a bill passed in 2024 related to disability rights, which helped us better understand how a bill progresses through Parliament.

Our excursion concluded with a visit to the Parliament Library. We were introduced to the vital support it provides in helping members of Parliament research and understand legal issues. We also saw the library’s distinctive red and green books, which organise resources according to different courts.

Overall, the excursion offered a rich and engaging insight into how Victoria's Parliament functions and its essential role in the legal system."

-Cherub Sandhu

Year 12 Legal Studies Student