For Students and Teachers
Here you'll find some information and online resources on government-related topics that we hope will help teachers when they are setting assignments, and students who have to complete them!
What does the Premier do?
Sometimes in assignments teachers ask students to research the Queensland Premier's role. Finding out what our state Premier does is a good starting point for understanding how our government works.
The term 'Premier' refers to a leader. Whether it's a school or the state of Queensland, without leaders to guide us it's hard to get things done.
Principals are our school leaders. It's their job to make sure that there's a school timetable and that everyone sticks to it because, without a timetable, the situation at schools would be chaotic!
The same goes for states. If we didn't have leaders to make plans and laws, to look after the budget and generally run things, then we'd quickly end up living in chaos.
In Queensland we get to choose our leaders in a contest called an election (external site). The leader of the political party that wins the election becomes Premier. The Premier then heads up the government, which is the group of politicians who have been elected by the people in their communities.
Together, the Premier and other members of the government have the job of running the state.
Mostly the Premier's job involves making tough decisions about the big issues that affect entire communities, often the entire state.
The safety of our communities, health, education, climate change and natural disasters such as floods are just some of the issues that the Premier, with help from government Ministers, has to deal with every day. To find out more about what the Premier does and how government makes decisions, check out the fact sheets on the Parliament House website (external site).
Read the current Queensland Premier's biography (external site).
^ to top
What happens in an election?
The Electoral Commission Queensland (external site) has information to help you understand Queensland's voting system and the processes involved in local, state and federal elections.
^ to top
How does government work?
To find out how governments are formed, how they make decisions and how you can participate in government, the Queensland Parliament (external site) has fact sheets for primary, high school and university students on a wide range of government-related topics.
^ to top
Can I see or listen to Parliament in action?
Sittings of the Queensland Parliament are broadcast live over the internet. Just go to the page on the Queensland Parliament website that tells you the sitting times (external site) and you'll also find the link to the live broadcast for that date.
Those living in regional Queensland may want to attend a sitting of Regional Parliament (external site).
^ to top
What about some help for teachers?
As well as helpful fact sheets, the Parliament of Queensland website has classroom activities (external site) suitable for all levels.
Primary school teachers might like to check out an activity based on Queensland's state emblems (external site).
Information about Members of Parliament (external site) is also available on the website.
Have fun with the games on the ABC's Constitutional Convention site (external site). Who knows, students might also enjoy playing them!
The community engagement (external site) section of the Queensland Parliament website has some great options for getting students involved in government.
Community Cabinets (external site) are probably one of the best ways of engaging young people in their democracy. Held regularly throughout the state, these community events give Queenslanders an opportunity to voice their views and needs directly to the Premier and other Cabinet members.
Last reviewed: 19 July, 2009
Last updated: 22 July, 2009
^ to top
