Film Australia's Australia: Political Power

1988, 60 Minutes

Power is central to politics at all levels. This program looks at how it influences decision-making in the political process.

The four themes provide some answers to important questions.

Who holds power in Australia?

How is it distributed?

What conflicts arise through the unequal distribution of power?

How is it resolved?

What means do Australians have to influence the decision-making process?

The first theme, Exercising Power, shows varying degrees of power being exercised in Australian settings: from the Crown to the actions of ordinary people. The second theme examines the workings of Australian democracy, including our constitution, the parliament, judiciary, legislative and electoral processes. Four key issues are examined in the third theme: Aboriginal land rights, immigration, unemployment and nuclear disarmament/peace. And finally, the program looks at the power of the media and its effect on society and government.

© 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.