Resource 1: Parliamentary Chamber
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Allocate student roles for the roleplay as outlined in the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) teacher resource The Franklin River debate 1983.
Classroom set-up
Organise the classroom to look like a parliamentary chamber (ACT Legislative Assembly chamber pictured). Tables can be used for the Speaker, clerks and leaders, surrounded by chairs in a “U” shape for all other members. Once everyone is in position and ready to commence the role play, all students should be standing and then the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Speaker can enter the chamber in a procession. Once the Speaker is seated all other members can sit.
Key
1. Speaker (usually a Government member)
A-B. Clerk, Deputy Clerk/Serjeant-at-Arms (not members)
2-3 & 15-16. Leaders table (leaders and deputies of the Government and Opposition parties)
4-8. Government ministers and 11-14 Government backbenchers
9-10. Crossbench (second unnumbered curved bench is also a crossbench)
17-25. Opposition members