Skip to main content

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware this website contains images, voices and names of people who have died.

2.1 Introduction

<p><em>Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (Later HM King George V), May 9, 1901, </em>by Tom Roberts</p>

National Museum of Australia

<p><em>Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (Later HM King George V), May 9, 1901, </em>by Tom Roberts</p>

There are two big ideas to explore in this investigation, two things that are very important for Australia: Democracy and Citizenship.

Democracy means: people have a say in how their country is run. This usually involves people having a vote in order to choose a representative in Parliament.

Citizenship means: members of a community have rights and responsibilities in that community. These can include such things as voting, paying tax, and being able to get help from the state if they need it.

There are three aspects that you can look at in this investigation:

Investigation 2.2
Who gets a vote? Suffrage
Investigation 2.3
What is Australian citizenship?
Investigation 2.4
Would you pass a test to become a citizen?

 

Logo DMDC Logo NMA