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Transcript
Text: Australia’s Legal System
[An image shows of two teenagers standing on a footpath beside a black Lexus with the number plate “1968”. Traffic noises play in the background. One of the teenagers is wearing a baseball cap and T-shirt while the other wears a black-and-white checked jumper.]
Teen in jumper: I want to be the Prime Minister! Then I can drive fast. Do whatever I like!
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend as they walk along the footpath.]
Teen in cap: No, even the Prime Minister has to follow the law. They can get a fine too.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper responding to his friend, gesturing emphatically with his hands.]
Teen in jumper: OK, I’ll be a police officer then. Then I can make people do what I want.
[Vision changes to an image of a policeman standing in front of a police car.]
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend.]
Teen in cap: No, police can only ask you to do what the law says. They have to follow the law too.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper responding to his friend, gesturing emphatically with his hands.]
Teen in jumper: So who makes the laws?
[Vision changes to an image of Parliament House, Canberra. ]
Teen in cap: Politicians make the law.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper responding to his friend, gesturing emphatically with his hands.]
Teen in jumper: OK, I’ll be a politician. I’ll pay people and they will vote for me!
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper on a mock campaign poster with the caption “Vote for me!”]
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap with his arm outstretched, responding to his friend.]
Teen in cap: 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.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper questioning his friend.]
Teen in jumper: Well, how about judges? Can we pay them to do what we want?
[Vision changes to a close-up image of the Magistrates’ Court building and its coat of arms.]
Teen in jumper: I have to go to court soon.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend. They are walking past a brick house with a white picket fence. ]
Teen in cap: You will be in trouble if you try to give money to a judge. Even judges have to be honest and follow the law.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper questioning to his friend, gesturing emphatically with his hands. A silver van is parked in the background.]
Teen in jumper: Ohhh, I’m so worried. What will happen in court?
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend. He stands in front of a shop window with an image of an old tram hanging on display.]
Teen in cap: First the police talk, then you have a chance to tell your story.
[Vision changes to a judge presiding over a courtroom.]
Teen in cap: Then the judge makes a decision.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap listening as his friend in the jumper talks and gestures emphatically with his hands.]
Teen in jumper: But I don’t know what to say.
Teen in cap: You can get a lawyer to help you.
[Vision changes to an image of the reception of Legal Aid through glass doors. A sign on the doors reads “Legal Aid Lawyers And Services”.]
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper talking to his friend. A tram is passing in the background. ]
Teen in jumper: But I don’t want everyone to know my problem.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend. They stand in front of a corner store with messy graffiti covering beige walls.]
Teen in cap: Lawyers have to keep everything private, unless you tell the lawyer that he can tell someone else.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper responding to his friend.]
Teen in jumper: But I don’t have any money.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the cap responding to his friend. They stand in front of a corner store with messy graffiti covering beige walls.]
Teen in cap: You can get free legal help, and a free interpreter.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper smiling and responding to his friend.]
Teen in jumper: Really? Cool! I think I want to be a lawyer.
[Vision changes to an image of the teen in the jumper dressed comically in a wig and gown. He has been superimposed over an image of a court building.]
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