Transcript 1.7 – Means by which individuals and groups influence

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FORMAL
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INFORMAL
Come from within the
formal structures of the
law making processes
Cabinet
Government
Departments
Parliamentary
Committees
Law reform bodies
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Individuals and/or
groups who are not
connected with the lawmaking process and
cannot be instrumental
in changing the law
BUT can try to influence
by application of
pressure
Legal Studies 2013 GSC
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INFORMAL METHODS
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PETITIONS
Petitions
Lobbying
Pressure Groups
Demonstrations
Defiance of the law
Individuals
Political Parties
Trade Unions
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Must address the
matter/requested action
within the legislative
jurisdiction of that particular
parliament.
Most petitions are presented
to the lower house
(Government of the day)
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Principal petitioner required
with contact details. Takes
responsibility for petition
and ensures petition is
correctly delivered.
Must be correctly addressed
Outline who it is from
Outline reason for the
petition
Outline requested action
Moderate language
Name, address, signature of
all petitioners
Nil other documentation to
be attached
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WHAT HAPPENS TO
PETITIONS
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Commonwealth Government has
a Petitions Committee in Lower
House.
Petition is presented to Parliament
Petition is recorded in
parliamentary records
Published on Petitions Committee
web site
Relevant minister advised and to
cause a response
Response tabled in Parliament
and forwarded to principal
petitioner
Response also published on web
site
HTTP://WWW.APH.GOV.AU/PARLIAMENTARY_B
USINESS/COMMITTEES/HOUSE_OF_REPRESENTAT
IVES_COMMITTEES?URL=PETITIONS/INDEX.HTM
HTTP://WWW.APH.GOV.AU/PARLIAMENTARY_B
USINESS/COMMITTEES/HOUSE_OF_REPRESENTAT
IVES_COMMITTEES?URL=PETITIONS/PETITIONS_43
/IMMIGRATION.HTM
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The Committee Secretariat
can be contacted at:
Committee Secretary
Standing Committee on Petitions
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Phone: (02) 6277 2152
Fax: (02) 6277 4627
email: [email protected]
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Lobbying
Approaching a member of parliament to argue a case
for change.
Organisations can and do contact parliamentarians
and argue for change
Companies have been set up as professional lobbying
organisations. Will lobby an issue on your behalf.
(For a FEE) They use their professional contacts and
intimate knowledge of Government/Parliament to
advantage.
Lobbyists present the views of their clients to
Parliamentarians
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Animals Australia
http://www.youtube.com/user/animalsaustral
ia
Lobbyists on the register must agree to comply with
the requirements of the Victorian Government
Professional Lobbyist Code of Conduct.
http://www.lobbyistsregister.vic.gov.au/lobbyistsregister/documents/
Vic_Gov_Professional_Lobbyist_Code_of_Conduct_Sept_2009.PDF
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Pressure Groups
Represent people in society with
particular points of view to promote
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Demonstrations
Public protests such as the
Teacher strike 14/02/2013
Generally an organised group of
people such as the WSPCA, RSPCA,
Wilderness Society, Australian
Conservation Foundation.
They have resources such as funds
and expertise to best serve their
objectives and to get the message
across.
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The success of a demonstration
depends on the number of
participants and the level of
public support. Support = votes
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Defiance of the law.
Refers to deliberate breaking of the
law in order to stand up for your
beliefs and aid in highlighting
issues.
Opponents use the process of the
Criminal Law action in an attempt
to gain public support.
It comes at a cost.
What is the price of standing up for
your convictions?
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The 63-year-old farmer is the
spokesperson for Plug the Pipe,
the group that opposed the $750
million project to pump water
from the Goulburn River in the
state's northeast to Melbourne.
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Complete questions
1 – 5 and 7 (Page 28)
Pre-read 1.8
Complete Oscars law
handout
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