Description
Activity
Students watch question time and make a tally chart of how many questions are asked and by whom. Students refer to the House of Assembly Member list or the Legislative Council Member list (depending on which video you watch) to profile the different Members in the tally chart. When the tally chart is completed, students need to consider:
- Who asked the most questions: government, opposition, or combined minor parties/independents?
- Ministers of the Government are the ones answering the questions. Why are they answering the questions?
- Why did the party that asked the most questions get to ask the most questions?
Duration
40 minute option, 90 minute option – options to shorten or lengthen
Preparation Required
- Read the lesson plan.
- Review the answer sheets for support.
- Print or digitally circulate blank tally sheets for your students.
- Access the question time clip of your choice on YouTube.
Follow Up Ideas
- Pick one of the Members from the tally table to profile – research their biography and key policies.
- Pick one of the political parties referred to and research their key policies in education, health, and transport.
- Visit Parliament and watch Question Time live.
- Get a student to take turns acting as a Minister for a topic they are an expert in, and take class questions – practice public speaking.
- Write a letter to a Member of Parliament posing questions about a state matter.
