Dissent in society | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Dissent in society

The rise of protest movements 

The 1970s marked a significant increase in rights-based movements, petitions and public demonstrations. As public awareness grew, so did the willingness of people to speak out on social and political issues.

Learning activities

Activity 1: What is dissent?

Dissent is an important part of democratic societies—it allows people to express disagreement and influence change.

  1. Begin with a class discussion:
    • How would you define dissent?
    • What are some real-life or historical examples of dissent?
    • Can dissent be peaceful or disruptive? When might it be necessary?

Activity 2: The role of the High Court

The Australian Constitution gives the High Court the power to interpret the law and decide if Acts of Parliament are valid. It plays a key role in checking the power of Parliament.

  1. Discuss how courts, especially the High Court, act as a check on parliamentary power.
  2. Ask students to research or brainstorm examples of controversial issues in Australia that have:
    • been challenged in the High Court
    • caused national debate (e.g. same-sex marriage, citizenship laws, voting rights, Indigenous recognition)
  3. For each issue, students can briefly record:
    • What was the issue?
    • What was the legal or constitutional question?
    • What was the result of the High Court’s decision?

Activity 3: How are laws made?

Understanding how laws are made—and how they can be challenged—is key to understanding how Australia’s government works.

  1. Have students create a flowchart showing how legislation is passed in the Federal Parliament.
    • Include key steps such as: proposal, readings in both houses, debates, amendments and Royal Assent.
  2. Add detail about:
    • what happens if there’s disagreement in Parliament
    • when and how the High Court can become involved if a law is challenged
  3. Students can use symbols, colours or digital tools to make the process clear and engaging.
Page published: 24 Jun 2025

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