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Video clip synopsis – Starting as a simple apparatus to test sin and guilt, the law has become one of our most convoluted contraptions.
Year of production - 2002
Duration - 5min 0sec
Tags - appeal, class action, common good, constitution, human rights, Law, restorative justice, rights and responsibilities, separation of powers, verdict, see all tags


The Law Machine

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About the Video Clip


The Law Machine is an episode of the series Human Contraptions (10 × 5 mins) produced in 2002.



Curriculum Focus


By studying this five minute Film Australia animation, students have the opportunity to examine aspects of the National Statement of Learning for Civics and Citizenship.

Citizenship in a Democracy
Students evaluate Australia’s pluralist society and explore the responsibilities of young adults in contributing to a socially cohesive, democratic community. They have the opportunity to:

  • Evaluate Australian society’s effectiveness in balancing majority rule and respect for minorities in civic decision making
  • Evaluate ways in which individuals, groups and governments use the media and ICT to shape opinion and manage controversy.


Background Information








The Law Machine
It may have started as a simple apparatus to test sin and guilt, but over time, the legal system has become one of our most convoluted contraptions, with a noticeable lean towards the financially gifted and a baffling array of attachments. Loopholes, out-of-court settlements, reasonable doubt, company law … as long as you’ve got a wig it’s possible to bypass justice altogether. Bruce Petty shows us the inner workings of this machine, where lawyers speak a different language and money speaks louder still.

Classroom Activities

  1. Rules and Laws
    Draw up a four column page with headings of Home, School, Australia, Discussion. Write in each of the first three columns two examples of a rule or law. In the Discussion column include who made up the rule/law, how this was done, who is affected by it, who enforces it, who and how are disputes about the rule/law decided and finally your opinion about whether the system in each of the three areas is working. On completion of this activity now include the words rules or laws as part of your heading for each of the Home, School and Australia columns.
  2. Thinking about how decisions are made in your home and school what reasons does Bruce Petty in The Law Machine give for the law evolving into such a complex and complicated contraption?
  3. Using the Internet and other resources investigate the meanings of:
    1. Constitution
    2. Judiciary
    3. Legislation
    4. Common good
      Bruce Petty argues that overriding all of these is the concept of the ‘loophole’. What does this mean? How does it work? Why does it exist? Does it, and should it, in your opinion underpin the whole legal system? So, do we need lawyers?

Further Resources


Go to The Age for a profile of Bruce Petty

Go to to find out more about Bruce Petty


