The principal purpose of this course is to explore key aspects of how parliaments operate at the Federal and State levels, especially in relation to making legislation, scrutinising government and debating matters of public interest. It will be concerned with the roles of ministers, shadow ministers and other members of parliament, as well as those of ministerial advisers, public servants and the media. It will also examine ways in which lawyers and other people can contribute to or engage effectively with parliamentary processes.
The course will be concerned principally with description and analysis from a practical viewpoint. It will include informal lectures and group discussions as well as a number of seminar presentations by a range of public figures and other people who have close and practical experience of working in or with parliaments. The course will draw on and examine particular instances and experiences but it will also seek to draw broad conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of relevant structures, processes and practices.