Programs

Suitable for: all age groups

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

This program introduces participants to Assembly – history of our legislature, how the Assembly operates and what members do. This program can include a tour of the building and a visit to the chamber to explain the unique nature of the Assembly. The program varies dependent on if it is a sitting or non-sitting week and is tailored to suit age of visitors in the group.

Suitable for: all age groups

Duration: 30 minutes

Gives participants an opportunity to meet the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). In this session the audience are invited to ask MLAs questions about their role as parliamentarians, why they stood for office, what they do in their daily work, or to discuss current issues before the Assembly. If you wish to discuss a specific issue a list of questions should be forwarded to education staff prior to the visit.

Suitable for: 9 years (school year 4) and up

Duration: 1 hour

Participants take part in an election, taking on the roles of voters and polling officials with mock candidates and electorates. A perfect way to learn about the Hare-Clark electoral system used in ACT elections.

Delivered in conjunction with Elections ACT. Visit their website to download resources to help you run your own Hare-Clark election.

Suitable for: 10 years (school year 5) and up

Duration: 45 minutes

Sit in the public gallery to observe members during question time, one of the mechanisms of accountability in a parliament. Arrive early for a short session providing an overview of the chamber and then watch question time from 2.00pm.

*only available on sitting days

Suitable for: 8 years (school year 3) and up

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Role plays are offered to demonstrate the work of members in both the parliamentary chamber and the committee inquiry system.

Chamber role play

Participants take on the roles of the Speaker, Clerks, ministers and members as our educators guide you through an accurate recreation of sitting day protocols including the ceremonial placement of the mace in the chamber.

Select your debate:

• a motion - a proposal is presented, debated and voted upon;
• a matter of public importance (MPI) - present speeches on a common topic; or
• the passage of a bill - debate and vote on a mock bill

* available on non-sitting days only

Committee inquiry role play

Guided by our educators participants take on the roles of the committee members and witnesses to experience the committee inquiry process. Learn how the community can have a voice to inform policy and law-making in the ACT.

Suitable for: Kindergarten to year 12

Duration: 1 hour

Students participate in a role play for a model of a school parliament sitting. Participants take on roles as the Speaker, Chief Minister, minsters, Leader of the Opposition and members in a typical sitting session. Teachers are provided with an information resource that supports the operation of the model in the school.

* available on non-sitting days only

Placement opportunities are offered for:

• school and vocational education students undertaking a school or vocational (CIT) work experience program
• university students completing programs with an internship requirement.

School students usually undertake work experience for one week in an MLA's office. Other placements are by negotiation depending on the requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled.

Please note that while placements are offered not all requests may be met and are dependent on the workload of MLAs in the time period requested.

If students are interested in work placements at the Assembly, please contact the Manager, Education and Engagements to discuss the possibility of a future placement.

Anyone is welcome to join one of our free public tours of the Assembly building. Tours run every Wednesday at 1.00pm from the Assembly foyer and take between 45 – 60 minutes.

The tour takes you behind the scenes, offering an insight into the running of Australia's youngest parliament. Highlights include visiting the committee rooms, seeing items of the Assembly art collection, and experiencing the gravitas of the debating chamber.

On sitting Wednesdays, tours will conclude in the chamber at 1.55pm with the option of continuing on to watch question time. When is the next sitting Wednesday?

Bookings for individuals or small groups are not required. If you have a medium to large group, we may be able to run a dedicated tour. Booking enquiries.

Program for: Year 7-12 students

Duration: 2 hours

The Assembly runs five interschool parliamentary debates days each year for teams of four-to-six students from Years 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12. Two sessions will be run on each debate day, schools can choose their preferred session:

• session 1 is 9.00-11.00am; or
• session 2 is 1.00-3.00pm

The program is revised each year to reflect a broad range of current social issues, and aims to provide:

• an introduction to the Assembly;
• an experience of debating in the Westminster tradition;
• the opportunity to practice public speaking skills in the formal setting of the chamber; and
• knowledge and experience in working with parliamentary terminology and practices.

The debates are presided over by the Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly (or another member).

Places are limited. Schools wishing to participate should submit an expression of interest at the beginning of the school year.

Program for: Year 11 students

Duration: 2 school days (9am to 3pm)

The ACT Schools' Constitutional Convention is targeted at Year 11 students and is held over two days in third term. It is organised by the Legislative Assembly for the ACT, Education Directorate, Museum of Australian Democracy, National Archives, Australian Electoral Commission, Elections ACT and Australian National University College of Law.

The program aim is to promote understanding and informed discussion about the Australian Constitution and the national system of government. They will listen to presentations, view historical documents, participate in role plays and discussion groups, and vote in a mock referendum on constitutional change.

Schools may enrol up to six students in this program and each year 5 students are selected to represent the ACT at the National Constitutional Convention the following year.

Program for: Accredited Teacher Quality Institute Program (TQI) 2021 graduate and proficient teacher career stages,

Duration: 3 hours

This 2021 TQI accredited professional learning program is aimed at helping teachers to increase their understanding of how the ACT Legislative Assembly works and how members are elected using the Hare-Clark electoral system. Primary, secondary and college teachers are welcome to attend this event. This program will not only increase participants' knowledge of the Assembly but will provide a useful teaching tool for those teachers who are engaged in teaching Civics and Citizenship programs. A certificate (record of attendance) will be provided to all participants.

Suitable for: ACT public sector staff

Duration: Half day (9.00 am - 12.30 pm)

Cost: $110.00 (inc. GST) for each participant.

Two half-day public sector seminars explore the responsibilities of ACT public sector staff in relation to the processes and practices of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT. The seminar examines the links between the public sector and the Assembly, role and function of the Assembly, a typical sitting day, the legislative process and the committee system. During the seminar participants are able to visit the chamber. Each seminar will be repeated twice a year. Number limits will apply for each seminar.

To book, please complete the public sector seminar registration form (Word 219 KB).

Suitable for: 18 years and over

Duration: 1 day (9.30 am to 3.15 pm)

The ACT Legislative Assembly offers two tailored programs each year for the ACT community. The Your Assembly program aims to inform participants about the operation of the Assembly and the various roles that MLAs undertake. The program includes a mock Hare-Clark election, meet the members’ session, session on the importance of committees in the Assembly and visit to question time.

2021 program dates