What is Convention? | AUSPOL EXPLAINED?

A convention is like a big group of people who all agree on the same rules so everyone can play nicely together.

Imagine you and your friends are playing a game at recess. If no one agrees on how to play, it might get messy, someone might think you have to run around the playground, while another thinks you just need to sit and count. But if you all agree ahead of time that you’ll take turns jumping rope, then everyone knows what to do, and the game is fair for everyone.

In Australian politics, a convention is like that agreed-upon rulebook, it helps politicians know how to behave when they’re making decisions together, just like your rules help you all play better games at recess.

Sometimes, people might want to change the rules, maybe they think jumping rope isn’t fun anymore and want to try tag instead. But if everyone agrees on the convention, it’s easier for them to make changes in a fair way, just like you’d agree together to switch games.

That’s how conventions work in politics too, they help keep things clear and fair for everyone involved!