Role-play program at Australia’s Parliament House
The Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) has been delivering its role-play program at Australia’s Parliament House (APH) for 20 years.
Each year over 80,000 students participate in PEO role-play programs. The total number of students who have participated in role-plays at APH since day one in 1988 until today is 1,281,807.
During the program, students from all over Australia experience what it is like to be a parliamentarian or an official working in the federal Parliament. PEO role-plays explore the four main functions of the federal Parliament:
- making and amending laws
- representing the people of Australia
- forming the government
- scrutinising the work of the government.
Role-plays are facilitated by qualified and experienced educators and take place in a real parliamentary setting, complete with costumes and props.
The following links will take you to information covering all you need to know about participating in a role-play program at APH.
- Before you arrive
- Meeting the PEO
- Choosing a role-play
- Making a booking
- Financial assistance
- Disclaimer
Before you arrive
The following table summarises useful information designed to help you plan a successful role-play experience at APH.
| ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROLE-PLAY | |
|---|---|
Duration |
The role-play runs for one hour, on the hour. |
Availability |
Role-plays run between 9 am and 5 pm weekdays. To make a booking free call 1800 646 337 or (02) 6277 4570 during business hours. |
Suitability |
PEO role-plays are suitable for primary, secondary and tertiary students. |
Group sizes |
Groups will usually be between 20 and 50 students, but may be divided into smaller groups or combined into larger groups as circumstances require. The average size of a role-play group is 36 students. |
Role-play choices |
PEO educators are happy to discuss options with you when you arrive. |
Cameras |
Teachers are invited to photograph and video their students during the role-play. |
Security |
The role-play takes place in secure areas of the building. Students and teachers may not leave the venue unaccompanied. |
Energy |
We have found that students who are well fed and well rested get more out of their parliamentary experience! |
Meeting the PEO
Following check-in, a PEO educator will meet teacher and student groups and escort them to the role-play venue. This can be an opportunity for a quick exchange about specific program requests. PEO educators are experienced practitioners of role-play genre who will guide your class through the program including assisting students with written or oral instructions as required.
Choosing a role-play
The PEO offers three different parliamentary role-plays, covering law-making, Question Time and committees.
Law-making role-play
Three options are available for the law-making role-play.
1. Law-making in the House of Representatives
In this role-play students become members and other parliamentary officials. Government, opposition and independent members all have an opportunity to express their view on the bill being debated before a vote is taken. The role-play explores the concepts of legislation (law-making), representation, scrutiny and formation of government. No previous knowledge is required.
2. Law-making in the Senate
In this role-play students become senators and other parliamentary officials. Government, opposition and minor party senators all have the opportunity to express their view on the bill being debated before a vote is taken. The role-play explores legislation, representation, scrutiny and the role of minor parties in the Senate. Knowledge of the passage of a bill through the House of Representatives is useful, but not essential.
3. Law-making with amendments in the House or Senate
This role-play is similar to those described above. Students become either members or senators and explore the functions of parliament, but are also introduced to the additional process by which the federal Parliament may change or amend a bill.
Question Time role-play
Question Time may be role-played in either chamber.
Question Time in the House of Representatives or Senate
This role-play is particularly suited to students who are familiar with the work of the Parliament or who have seen Question Time on television. Depending on whether a House or Senate Question Time is chosen, students take on one of the following roles: presiding officers, ministers, shadow ministers, government and opposition backbenchers, independents, members of minor parties and parliamentary officials. Ministers are asked questions without notice from both sides of the chamber and are called on to answer these questions. The Question Time role-play explores the role of executive government (the ministry), government accountability to the Parliament and the people of Australia and opposition scrutiny. It involves improvisation, quick questions and answers and some knowledge of current affairs.
Committee role-play
Two options are available for the Committee role-play.
Committee of inquiry in the House of Representatives
In this role-play students become members and representatives of witness groups. Members question the witnesses to become better informed about an issue. When the evidence has been heard, the committee makes recommendations concerning the issue. The role-play involves formulating questions, critical listening and synthesising information. It explores the committee system, policy making and how people living in Australia are able to voice their views. A House of Representatives committee role-play is ideal for groups of between 20 and 25 students.
Committee of inquiry in the Senate
In this role-play students become senators and representatives of witness groups. Senators question the witnesses to become better informed about issues arising from a bill. The senators use the evidence gathered to recommend either that the bill be accepted, rejected or that appropriate changes be made. The role-play involves formulating questions, critical listening and synthesising information. It explores the committee system and how people living in Australia are able to actively participate in the legislative process. A Senate committee role-play is ideal for groups of between 20 and 25 students.
Making a booking
- To book a role-play at APH, contact the office of the Serjeant-at-Arms at APH on: free call 1800 646 337 or (02) 6277 4570.
- The bookings officer can also book a guided tour of APH for you and your students.
- Please book early to secure a program. For parliamentary sitting times check the Parliamentary sittings calendar.
Financial Assistance
From 1 July 2006 the Citizenship Visits Program (CVP) at Parliament House ceased to operate. CVP has been replaced by the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) and is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Please contact PACER administration for all information about subsidies and guidelines by phoning 1300 368 248 or by visiting the National Capital Educational Tourism (NCETP) website.
NCETP: http://www.ncetp.org.au/
Disclaimer
School teachers retain exclusive responsibility for the safety and well-being of their students undertaking education programs at APH at all times. Therefore, all students participating in the education program must be in the care of their school teacher(s) at all times.
If this information does not answer all of your questions about role-play programs at APH or to suggest a role-play topic, please contact the PEO by phone, fax or email.
Ph: 02 6277 3147 or 02 6277 3508
Fax: 02 6277 5775
Email: info@peo.gov.au