Question time
It was about more than just politics when a RAN public relations officer spent a week on the ADF Parliamentary Program

IN SESSION: LEUT Chloe Wilson learns the ropes from Chris Bowen MP, Member for Prospect, at Parliament House during the ADF Parliamentary Program. Photo: Bryan Doherty

Volume 49, No. 16 , September 07, 2006

By Barry Rollings

As the daughter of two journalists, the benefits were twofold for LEUT Chloe Wilson as one of Navy’s representatives in the recent ADF Parliamentary Program.

LEUT Wilson, a Public Relations Officer working as Staff Officer Command Human Resource Management at Navy Systems Command, was one of 13 ADF personnel who had the chance to get a first-hand view of just how the Australian parliamentary and political system functions.

“My parents made sure I had a steady diet of politics and current affairs growing up so when my boss, CMDR Neville Teague, told me it was a really great experience, I jumped at the opportunity,” LEUT Wilson said.

“My father, Nigel, currently writes for The Australian, and when I talked to him about my experiences of the week’s exchange, he told me he was the youngest member of the Press Gallery at the Old Parliament House when he began there at 16.”

Even so, LEUT Wilson went in not really knowing what to expect.

“I was attached to a Labor backbencher (Chris Bowen, Member for Prospect) and I was keen to learn more about how the Opposition works,” she said.

“Your perceptions are driven by what you see on the news or see at Question Time and you are not sure if it is all going to be like that.”

“The week completely opened my eyes to the scope and work that they do and the hours that they work during a sitting week. It’s almost like being at sea – you can’t leave the building, you don’t really know what time it is and everything seems to be run by alarm bells.”

One of the insights of the parliamentary process and politicians LEUT Wilson gained from the week was the fact that the details of passing legislation is something few see, know about or appreciate.
“Much that we don’t see is purely the mechanics of passing legislation. There is a great deal - not the exciting matters the public wants to see - that has to be done,” she said.

“The depth of knowledge MPs have to have on such a broad range of issues that could affect anyone in their electorate also surprised me.

“They have to be able to define topics into core issues to discuss them with lobbyists and at committee meetings. They really have to be across all the issues and, quickly.”
For Service personnel considering applying for the program, LEUT Wilson says it’s an opportunity too good to miss. “You don’t get an opportunity like that twice – a backstage pass to see the Parliament of Australia in action – unless you work there.”

“We did so much that there was not one thing that really stood out, although it was a change of pace and great to see the veterans honoured at the Long Tan reception towards the end of the week.”

The week also provided the unexpected, such as discovering a disco ball deep within Parliament House, meeting Midnight Oil front-man and Member for Kingsford-Smith, Peter Garrett, and walking into the office of the Member for Perth, Stephen Smith, and discovering a former school mate working there as an economic adviser.

The program is open to all ranks of all services. Service personnel will be advised when the next program will be held and a list of the prerequisites will be provided before nominations are called for 2007.

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