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Peeking at Parliament


Edition 4906, April 19, 2007
 
INVOLVED: Parliamentary Secretary Peter Lindsay and VCDF LTGEN Ken Gillespie peruse the schedule.
Photo by AB Kade Rogers
 
FOUR Air Force members were among the 12 Service personnel who became privy to the inner sanctum of Parliament House and its members as part of this year’s ADF Parliamentary Exchange Program in late March.

They included WGCDR Mark Larter - hosted by Senator David Johnston, SQNLDR Colleen Higginson - hosted by Senator Steve Hutchins, WOFF David Strauss - hosted by the Parliamentary Secretary (PARLSEC) to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay; and CPL Fiona Scholes - hosted by Ms Catherine King, MP, member for Ballarat.

After their orientation and welcome by Mr Lindsay and VCDF LTGEN Ken Gillespie, a tour of the building and observing a session that included Question Time, our intrepid Defence quartet took up their placements with Members and Senators.

Day three included a forum with the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, PARLSEC Lindsay and LTGEN Gillespie.

SQNLDR Higginson, from DCOORD-AF, knew the theory, but gained a first-hand look at how the parliamentary process works through the latest Exchange Program.

“To be able to participate in the ADF Parliamentary Exchange Program has been an enriching career highlight,” SQNLDR Higginson said.

“Having studied the policy process academically, the program allowed me to witness the parliamentary arena first hand.

“I now fully understand the necessity for Air Force to provide timely and quality advice in the form of Ministerial submissions and representations, hot issues, Question Time and other briefs through the chain of command to CAF and DCAF.

“Through that they, and CDF, can well support the Minister for Defence, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence.”