Questions for discussion
Budget surplus
1.
Discuss the Budget surplus story with another student. Record the main
points from your discussion.
2. Where does the money in the budget come from?
3. Who is the Federal Treasurer?
4. Why is the Treasurer saying that this year’s budget is the toughest?
5. Use words or pictures to describe what a budget surplus is.
6. What is it called when the government spends more than it earns?
7. What does the Government have to do to get the budget into surplus?
8. What sorts of services could be affected?
9. Why are some economists saying that a budget surplus might not be good for
the economy?
10. How does the budget affect you and your family?
Working in pairs, make a list of services you think should not be affected by budget
cuts. Give reasons why you think they shouldn’t be affected.
Disability scheme
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What condition was Amelia born with?
What special equipment does Amelia need and who pays for it?
Describe the different types of support disabled people need.
At the moment, how do disabled people get money to meet their needs?
What does Kelly Vincent say about the current funding for disabled people?
Why does she believe that young people are missing out on opportunities
because of their disability?
7. What is the new scheme recently announced by Julia Gillard?
8. The NDIS is a bit like _________________ for disability support.
9. What is it hoped the new scheme will achieve?
10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?
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Richest Aussies
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© ABC 2012
Before you watch the BtN story, write down who you think is the richest
Australian. Why did you choose this person?
About how much does the Prime Minister of Australia earn?
Which industry are many of the richest Aussies involved in?
Why do you think it’s one of the most profitable industries?
One of the wealthiest Australians owns Visy Industries. What do they
produce?
Who is number one on the richest Aussies list?
About how much is she worth?
EPISODE 11
8TH MAY 2012
8. How did she make her money?
9. What was surprising about the story?
10. How has your thinking changed since watching the Richest Aussies story?
What is philanthropy? Research wealthy Australians who are also philanthropists.
Games tricks
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8.
Briefly summarise the Games tricks story.
Make a list of reasons why people play video games.
Why is it sometimes difficult to stop playing video games?
What techniques do game makers use to keep people playing?
Describe the social aspect to playing video games.
What are some of the warning signs of too much gaming?
What changes have you seen in computer games in your lifetime?
Discuss with an adult the changes they have seen in computer games over
the years.
9. Do you sometimes find it difficult to stop playing video games? Why or why
not?
10. What do you think are the elements of a great video game?
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Koalas
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Why is the koala considered an Aussie icon?
In which states have koalas been declared vulnerable?
What were koalas hunted for in the early 1900’s?
What has happened to koala populations in Queensland and New South
Wales?
5. Why did some people question koalas being on the threatened species list?
6. What impact were koalas having in Victoria?
7. What was done on Kangaroo Island to control koala numbers?
8. Many people agree that overall the number of koalas is
a. Increasing
b. Decreasing
c. Staying the same
9. Why do some people think that all koalas should be declared vulnerable?
10. What are the arguments against extra protection for koalas?
Investigate the history of koalas before European settlement. What impact did
colonisation have on koala populations? What legislation was introduced to protect
koalas?
© ABC 2012