Australia: Four climate activists from the Kimberley, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands came together for the Safe Climate, Equal Future Speakers tour in September 2024. Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam

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Australia: The Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council launched their 2025-27 strategic plan at Parliament House in Canberra on 10th Feb 2025. The Council’s initiatives are designed to create social, cultural, and economic benefits for communities.

Passionate politics

The Parliament of Australia makes decisions that impact you and how you live your life on a daily basis.

Whether it’s the music you can buy in stores or Australia’s global commitments to climate action, parliamentarians have immense power and responsibility to make laws that reflect the needs and desires of the Australian community.

It is important to remember that, in our democratic system, the role of politicians it to represent us.

By electing them, we give them the power to make decisions and laws on our behalf. So, it’s important for them to know what we think and what we want them to do.

Unfortunately, many Australians never attempt to use the democratic power they have. Sometimes, this is because they feel they don’t understand the political system and don’t feel confident enough to contact their MP. Not everyone has the opportunity to learn about politics at school, so it is easy to make it to voting age without fully understanding how elections work, how laws are made or how parliament operates.

Get the low-down on law-making

For more information about politics, start here.

Australia: Usaia Moli speaks in Parliament House, Canberra as part of the Safe Climate, Equal Future Speakers Tour. Photo: Irene Dowdy/Oxfam.

The low-down on law-making

Discover how Bills get to Parliament and how they become law.

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Australia: Grace was one of four climate activists from the Kimberley, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands who came together for the Safe Climate, Equal Future Speakers tour in September 2024.Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam

What happens in Parliament

Everything you ever wanted to know about what happens in Parliament.

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How federal politicians are elected and how governments are formed

How Members of the House of Representatives are elected.

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How political parties work and why we have them

What’s a two-party system and how does it work in Australia?

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Bangladesh: Mst. Monira lives fishes in the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. Without ready access to fresh water, people living here are often ill from the saltwater they are forced to use and struggle to earn an income. Photo: Fabeha Monir/Oxfam. Oxfam acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

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Looking for ways to make your voice heard? Engage your member of parliament.

What you can ask your MP

You want your MP to take action on an issue, but what can you ask them to do? Here are some suggestions.

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Writing to your MP

You've decided to write to your MP. Here's how you make your letter or email stand out

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Meeting your MP

Discover the best ways to secure a meeting with your local MP, and what to do before and after it takes place.

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How you can help

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