Volume 48, No. 16, Sepetember 7, 2006
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GETTING
THE HANG OF IT: Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, on Parliamentary
exchange to Air Force, and WGCDR Jack Foley, CO 285SQN,
in the simulator.
Photo
by SGT Craig Sharp
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By
Barry Rollings
THE ready acceptance by politicians to engage in the ADF Parliamentary
Exchange Program was just one of the positives SQNLDR David Riddel
took away from his recent visit to Parliament House.
SQNLDR Riddel, of the Aerospace Development Branch of the Capability
Development Executive in Canberra, was one of 13 ADF personnel
who spent a week with Australian parliamentarians learning first-hand
how the country’s Parliament works.
The experience included Parliamentary tours and educational lectures
from staff and accompanying his host, the Member for Lingiari,
Warren Snowdon, as he went about his daily duties on “The
Hill”.
At the end of it all, SQNLDR Riddel said he had been given “open
door access” to workings of Parliament and would have no
hesitation in highly recommending the exchange to his fellow Service
personnel.
“I volunteered because I believed it was a great opportunity
to see the workings of parliament, the workloads of the ministers,
MPs and their staffs, and the operation of the committees,”
SQNLDR Riddel said.
“I thought it would help give me a better idea of how to
communicate to those committees and members of Parliament within
briefs on Defence matters, when required.
“The week certainly gave me an appreciation of the workload
and the diverse nature of topics of which MPs have to be knowledgeable.
“While I was aware of the issues that MPs have to be conversant
with, the actual depth of knowledge of such a varied list of issues
was a revelation to me.
“Sitting in on a Labor Caucus meeting increased my understanding
of how party policy is generated. I also attended a number of
other Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Standing Committee meetings,”
SQNLDR Riddel said.
“Also among the several committees and presentations that
I attended, I was able to briefly speak with the visiting (US)
Major Michael Mori — quite an interesting opportunity.
“Warren Snowdon has continued to be a very strong supporter
of the ADFPP — this time in the role of host. He has previously
been hosted himself by the Australian Army on a number of occasions,
including a visit to the Australian operations within Iraq.
“His support is not surprising given the significance of
Defence in his electorate (his constituency includes the Northern
Territory and the Cocos and Christmas Islands).
“Highlights for me included sitting in the Adviser’s
Box in the House of Representatives during session, meeting some
of the senior staff on both sides of parliaments, the Government
and Opposition and essentially being a fly on the wall for some
of the private sittings of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Committee meetings.”
Getting
behind the scenes
THE
Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program had its beginnings
six years ago and this is the third year that ADF personnel have
been invited to Parliament House.
ADF personnel were afforded a behind-the-scenes look at the inner
workings of the parliamentary process, spending a week with parliamentarians.
“Such first-hand exposure has given parliamentarians a better
appreciation of the ADF, greater perspective when debating Defence
policy, as well as improved understanding of how legislative decisions
impact on the lives of ADF personnel,” Parliamentary Secretary
for the Minister for Defence, Sandy Macdonald, said.
“The ADFPP is indebted to members and senators of all sides
of politics for embracing the program so enthusiastically and
making it such a success.
“The exchange is designed to give ADF members a similar degree
of intimate access to the workings of parliament and the day-to-day
operations of a political office as members and senators have
had in our working environment.
This year 13 personnel, from an Army Private to Navy Commanders
and Air Commodores, took part in the program.
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 pre-requisites will be provided before nominations are
called for 2007.
