The legal system
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For free legal help:
Legal Aid Queensland
Phone1300 65 11 88 (for the cost of a local call from a landline in Australia)
www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
Community Legal Centres Queensland
Phone 07 3392 0092
www.communitylegalqld.org.au
Or look under “Community Legal Centres” in your local phone book.
To complain about discrimination:
Queensland Human Rights Commission
Phone 1300 130 670
www.qhrc.qld.gov.au
If you need an interpreter to help you contact a service phone TIS 131 450
Activity sheets for this story:
Video transcript:
Title: Australia's legal system
Abdi: I want to be the Prime Minister! Then I can drive fast. Do whatever I like!
Gahmal: No, even the Prime Minister has to follow the law. They can get a fine too.
Abdi: OK, I’ll be a police officer then. Then I can make people do what I want.
Gahmal: No, police can only ask you to do what the law says. They have to follow the law too.
Abdi: So who makes the laws?
Gahmal: Politicians make the law.
Abdi: OK, I’ll be a politician. I’ll pay people and they will vote for me!
Gahmal: You can’t buy votes in Australia! I’m 18 and next election I’m going to vote for who I think will work the
hardest. No one can tell me how to vote.
Abdi: Well, how about judges? Can we pay them to do what we want? I have to go to court soon.
Gahmal: You will be in trouble if you try to give money to a judge. Even judges have to be honest and follow the law.
Abdi: Ohhh, I’m so worried. What will happen in court?
Gahmal: First the police talk, then you have a chance to tell your story. Then the judge makes a decision.
Abdi: But I don’t know what to say.
Gahmal: You can get a lawyer to help you.
Abdi: But I don’t want everyone to know my problem.
Gahmal: Lawyers have to keep everything private, unless you tell the lawyer that they can tell someone else.
Abdi: But I don’t have any money.
Gahmal: You can get free legal help, and a free interpreter.
Abdi: Really? Cool, I think I want to be a lawyer.
Last updated 18 June 2020