When Aboriginal Australians say they are, or are going, “on country”, they don’t just mean they are physically on the lands their ancestors have inhabited for 60,000 years. It also implies that they are shaped by the place, connected to it, and recognize a responsibility to care for it. It is this meaningful phrase that … Continue reading “On Country”
Canada and Australia have decided to stick with the status quo after elections where the governments had been expected to lose their mandates. In Canada, the Liberal Party was re-elected for a fourth term, though as a minority government. And in Australia the Labor party won re-election with a landslide victory. In both cases, the … Continue reading “Canadian and Australian Elections”
When Justin Trudeau resigned as Canadian Prime Minister on 6 January, he was hoping to give the Liberal Party a chance of winning the election that had to be held by 20 October. But since Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Liberal Party has leapt up in opinion polls. Now the newly chosen Prime Minster Mark Carney … Continue reading “Canada on the Brink of an Election”
On 28 February, the average age in the House of Commons debating chamber was a lot younger than normal. Instead of the usual MPs, the chamber hosted the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament: more than 300 11-18-year-olds elected by their peers. The debaters are MYPs: Members of the U.K. Youth Parliament. Any 11-18-year-old … Continue reading “Kids Take Over Parliament”
After nine years at the head of the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down as leader of the Canadian Liberal Party on Monday, following months of internal struggles in the party. His resignation may have come too late to allow his successor to successfully lead a campaign for re-election, which must be held by … Continue reading “Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canadian PM”
All through Elizabeth II’s long reign, the Queen’s Speech was shorthand for the UK’s State Opening of Parliament, which takes place annually at the beginning of each parliamentary session. The monarch reads out a speech to the assembled Houses of Lords and Commons detailing the government’s programme of legislation for the upcoming year. On 7 … Continue reading “What is the King’s Speech?”
On 14 October, Australians voted 60-40% against a referendum proposal on a change to the Constitution that would have given Indigenous Australians a greater voice in the legislature. If approved, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice would have been a consultative body to advise lawmakers on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. Labor Prime Minister Anthony … Continue reading “Australia Says No in Indigenous Representation Referendum “
Australia will hold a referendum later this year on a change to the Constitution that would give Indigenous Australians a greater voice in the legislature. If approved, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice would be a consultative body which would advise lawmakers on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who … Continue reading “Australia to Hold Referendum on Indigenous Representation”
This A1+ article is a short introduction to the Gunpowder Plot, which could of course be treated from a more complex historical point of view at a higher level. The traditions of Guy Fawkes night, fireworks, bonfires and the State Opening of Parliament are introduced. As 5e pupils are studying the same period in history (Thème … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes”
Canada went to the polls two years early on 20 September. The situation after the election looks almost exactly the same as that before, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party losing the popular vote but winning the most seats, though not enough for a majority. Trudeau will now form another minority government. Justin Trudeau, … Continue reading “Canada Elections: Status Quo”