Episode 16
th
11 June 2013
Activity
Republic
Key Learning
Students will discuss and evaluate the issue of whether Australia should become a republic.
The Australian Curriculum
English / Language / Expressing and developing
ideas
Incorporate new vocabulary from a range of sources into
students’ own texts including vocabulary encountered in
research (ACELA1498)
Understand the use of vocabulary to express greater precision
of meaning, and know that words can have different meanings
in different contexts(ACELA1512)
English / Literacy / Interacting with others
Use interaction skills such as acknowledging another’s point of
view and linking students’ response to the topic, using familiar
and new vocabulary and a range of vocal effects such as tone,
pace, pitch and volume to speak clearly and
coherently (ACELY1688)
Mathematics /Statistics and probability / Data
representation and interpretation
Select and trial methods for data collection, including survey
questions and recording sheets(ACMSP095)
Pose questions and collect categorical or numerical data by
observation or survey (ACMSP118)
Construct suitable data displays, with and without the use of
digital technologies, from given or collected data. Include tables,
column graphs and picture graphs where one picture can
represent many data values (ACMSP096)
Construct displays, including column graphs, dot plots and
tables, appropriate for data type, with and without the use of
digital technologies (ACMSP119)
Participate in and contribute to discussions, clarifying and
interrogating ideas, developing and supporting arguments,
sharing and evaluating information, experiences and
opinions(ACELY1709)
Discussion Questions
1. Is Australia a republic or a monarchy?
2. What Australian politicians agree that Australia should become a republic?
3. Why do some Australians want to break away from their British Royal connections?
4. How could Australia become a republic?
5. What year was the last referendum held in which Australians were allowed to vote for a republic?
6. How does a referendum work?
7. What would change if Australia became a republic?
8. Why would some people vote against Australia becoming a republic?
9. Who do you think should rule Australia, the Queen or a new Australian President? Explain your
answer.
10. What does becoming a republic mean to you?
©ABC 2013
Activities
Remember and understand
Ask students to find definitions for the following terms and then use these words to construct sentences.
Refer to the Parliamentary Glossary for definitions. http://www.peo.gov.au/students/gloss.html
Monarchy
Republic
Referendum
Constitution
Head of State
Queen
President
Governor General
A bill
Ask students to conduct research and find answers to the following questions.
Is Australia a republic or a monarchy?
Who is the Head of State? What is their role?
Who is the Governor General? What is their role?
Who is the Prime Minister? What is their role?
Plus, minus and interesting
As a class discuss the concept of Australia becoming a republic. Students will identify and explain the
values that a constitutional monarchy represents for Australians.
Use the plus, minus, interesting chart to evaluate the issue, compare advantages and disadvantages and
make decisions. In the plus column enter all the positive elements, in the minus column enter all the
negative elements and in the third column enter the elements that cannot be classified. A scoring system
can be added to this chart to inform decision-making.
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©ABC 2013
M
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Classroom opinion polls
1. A poll is a count of people, votes or opinions. The poll recorded the number of people for and
against the proposal.
2. To poll is to ask and record the opinion of the people. The prime minister agreed that the poll
reflected a deep level of community concern.
3. To poll is to receive a number of votes. The new party polled well during the election.
4. To go to the poll is to hold an election. The minority parties went to the poll hoping to win four more
seats.
Students will conduct their own opinion poll on the issue of Australia becoming a republic.
Working in groups, students will need to decide on who their sample group will be and how many people
will be polled. What method they will use to conduct the poll? (Face to face interviews or written
responses).
Ask students to graph the opinion poll results and display in the classroom. Students can reflect on how
reliable they think the results were. What would they do differently next time?
Students may want to film their interviews and then create a movie to present to other students.
Further investigation
How does Behind the News use polls? Go to the BtN website http://abc.net.au/btn/vote/total.htm and
look at past poll questions and results. Discuss in small groups why you think BtN includes an online poll
question on the website?
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a vote by the people. Every citizen who is eligible to vote has the right to vote on a given
issue. Voters can accept or reject a government proposal put directly to them.
Students will find out more about what a referendum is before holding one in their own classroom or
school.
Further investigation: Conduct research into the history of referendums that have been held in Australia
and then create a timeline of successful and unsuccessful referendums.
Research questions
What is another word for referendum?
How does a referendum work?
When was the last referendum held on becoming a republic?
Why are referendums important?
Is it compulsory to vote in a referendum? Explain why?
©ABC 2013
Students will hold their own classroom referendum. Consider developing a campaign for the classroom
referendum. Working in small groups develop speeches, posters and newspaper articles.
Classroom referendum
1. Consider your classroom as a country. Give your country a name and describe how it is governed.
This is your classroom’s Constitution.
2. Review your classroom Constitution; does it include equal rights for everyone in your class? How
can you improve it? Remember any changes have to be put to a classroom vote!
3. As a class choose an issue that is important to you, and can be voted on in a classroom
referendum.
4. Put together a proposal for your referendum.
5. Hold a direct vote asking to either accept or reject the proposal. Create a voting card and polling
booth to lodge your votes.
6. Count the votes
Further Investigation
Take a look at BtN’s Flag Debate story and associated teacher resources. Ask
students to re-design the Australian Flag. Students will need to consider the 5
basic principles of flag design.
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3681106.htm
How much do you know about the Royal Family? Do BtN’s Royal Life quiz to
find out more?
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/quiz.htm?file=/btn/quiz/js/2011-10aroyallife.js
 Related Research Links
ABC Lateline – Turnbull re-launches campaign for Australian Republic
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/turnbull-re-launches-campaign-for-australian/4683200
Civics and Citizenship Education – An Australian Republic?
http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/an_australian_republic_introduction,35125.html
Civics and Citizenship Education – Australian Identity activity
http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/an_australian_republic_identity,35128.html
Discovering Democracy – Should Australia become a republic?
http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/units/ms4fq4acts.htm
Australian Electoral Commission – Referendums
http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/index.htm
Behind the News – Flag Debate
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3681106.htm
Behind the News – Royal Family
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3178713.htm
©ABC 2013