Video & Audio

Westminster Traditions

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• What Is the Westminster System?
• Westminster Influences Around the World
• The Developments of Victoria's 'Westminster-Style' System
• Red and Green / Upper and Lower
• The History of The Speaker's Role
• The Sergeant at Arms & Mace
• The Usher of the Black Rod
• Modernization of Parliament: Uniforms and The Usher of the Black Rod
• Three Readings of a Bill

Our Rituals and Ceremonies

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• Opening of Parliament Ceremony
• Welcome to Country Ceremony
• Possum Skinned Cloak / Smoking Ceremony/Tarnuk

Victoria's System of Democracy

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• Our System of Government
• Liberal Democracy & Representative Democracy
• Is Democracy Efficient?
• Protecting Our Rights
• Victoria's Constitution

Accountable Government

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• Relationship of the Legislative and Executive branches
• The Distribution of Power
• Checks and Balances
• The Chain of Accountability
• Independent Officers: the Auditor General and The Ombudsman
• Responsible Government

The Governor

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• The Role of The Governor
• The Queens Representative
• Executive and Reserve Powers
• Understanding the Governor's Role
• Executive Council
• A Day in the Life of The Governor

Victoria's System Into the Future

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• The Future
• Relevance in a Modern World

The Role of an MP

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• MP Daily Schedule
• Being an MP in Government versus Opposition
• Difference Between a 'Frontbencher' and a 'Backbencher'
• MP's and Topical Issues
• Communicating with your MP
• Electoral Officers

The Legislative Process

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• What is a Bill?
• The Drafting Process
• Who Can Introduce a Bill?
• Clerk of Council Role in passage of Bills
• How does Cabinet decide a Bill is ready to introduce?
• How is a Private Members Bill Introduced?
• What do Committees do?
• Who Makes Up a Committee?
• What does a Committee do with it's findings?
• The Role of the Opposition in the Legislative Process
• The Premier and the Bill at Cabinet
• Legislative Assembly: Debating the Bill
• Legislative Council: Reviewing the Bill
• Royal Assent: A Bill becomes a Law

Inside Parliament

• The Structure of Parliament
• The Legislative Assembly: The Seat of Government
• Accessible Government
• The Premier's Role and Cabinet
• What is a Minister?
• What is a Shadow Minister?
• Becoming a Minister - School Captain Analogy
• Presiding Officers - The Speaker's Role
• Presiding Officers - The President's Role
• Best Bits about being the Speaker
• The Presidents' Powers
• What is a Division?
• The Legislative Council: A House of Review
• The Role of the Opposition
• How are Members of the Council Elected?
• Standing Orders and The Rules of Debate
• What Does the 'Public Service' do?
• What Do the Clerks Do?

History

Contents (Links to YouTube)

• Aboriginal Significance - Parliament House Site
• Aboriginal Recognition after 153 Years
• History of the Victorian Parliament 1836 - 1851
• History of the Victorian Parliament 1851 - 1856
• Constitution Proclaimed 1855
• History of the Victorian Parliament 1856 - 1901
• 100 Years of Instability
• History of the Victorian Parliament 1901 - Present
• Women's Suffrage and the Accidental Vote
• The Evolution of Full Adult Suffrage
• Eureka to Speaker: Peter Lalor and The Eureka Stockade