Lesson 13: How individuals can Influence Law Reform I

Question 1

Demonstrations
(strengths)

Answer 1

Strengths:
- large numbers of participants can attract free, positive media attention
- can gain support of members of parliament who want to ‘adopt a cause’
- can raise social awareness

Question 2

Demonstrations
(weaknesses)

Answer 2

Weaknesses:
- can decrease support for a law change if they cause:
- public inconvenience
- become violent
- lead to breaches of the law
- can be difficult and time consuming
- a demonstration that cannot be changed in Australian Law will be less effective

Question 3

Demonstrations
(definition)

Answer 3

• A.K.A: protests or rallies
• a gathering of people to protest or express their common concern or dissatisfaction with an existing law as means of influencing another law reform

Question 4

Petitions
(strengths)

Answer 4

Strengths:
- simple, easy, inexpensive
- strong support within community is important as the issue will be considered
- once petition has ben given to a member of parliament, they must present the petition in parliament

Question 5

Petition
(definition)

Answer 5

• A petition is a formal, written request to the government to take some action or implement law reform
• may be on paper or online
• to be accepted for consideration by parliament, it must be prepared in a particular format
  Must:
• contain clear statement
• be an original document
• contain the name, address and signature of at least one supporting individual

Question 5

Petitions
(weaknesses)

Answer 5

Weaknesses:
- influence may depend on who tables it
- parliament receives hundreds of petitions
- many do not gain public media attention