Work Experience with Jaxon Marshall 

It is hard to describe what this week was. I got the opportunity to do so many different things and talk to many different people. But this most certainly has been the most interesting week I have experienced, with everything between a cup of coffee to the theatrics of question time. 

On Monday I worked with Committees at 55 St Andrews Place which is still the Parliament of Victoria and not a separate department. It was very interesting as they were getting ready for an inquiry into IBAC which is the state’s anti-corruption commission. I enjoyed seeing how Committees work and what they do. In the afternoon that day I got to sit in on the Committee and watch it in action. They had so many witnesses from different places to talk about the legal implications of IBAC. It was an interesting day with a lot of learning about more foundational parts of Parliament.

On Tuesday I was working in the Legislative Assembly which was preparing for the upcoming sitting week. I started the day by sitting in on a meeting where they talked about what was happening and what they need to do. I then had morning tea with the assembly Clerks—who give advice to the members. It was interesting to see how their roles are important to the Parliamentary proceedings. After morning tea, I then worked with the Tours & Customer Service Unit (TCSU). At TCSU I helped prepare the Chamber for the members and proceedings, as well as seeing the other duties they have such as taking people on tours. I then got to watch the Assembly in action by sitting in on proceedings and question time. Question time showed the theatrics of politics as I saw the coalition walk out as the Leader of the Opposition was kicked out of question time then suspended from Parliament. After that I got to meet with my local member Tim Bull for a coffee. It was a great conversation where we talked about how he works on a day-to-day basis and his role in Parliament as a Shadow Minister and National Party member. I learnt a lot that day not just about what politicians do in Parliament but what allows Parliament to run as efficiently as possible.

Day three I was working in the Legislative Council as they were preparing for the second day of the sitting week. I started by sitting in on a similar meeting to the day before but for the Council. I then helped prepare the Chamber and even got to hold the Black Rod which symbolises the authority of the President of the Council and the sovereign and governor. I had a good conversation with the Assistant Clerk about his role and how they help with the upper house. I helped at the rear entrance of Parliament and see how the press sign in as visitors. I then got to have afternoon tea with three of my five upper house members: Jeff Bourman, Tom McIntosh, and Harriet Shing I had great talks with all of them. It also meant at that stage Renee Heath was the only local member of mine I was yet to meet. It was a great day, and it gave me the chance to meet my local members and see how they found their way to now. 

On Thursday I got the opportunity to work with the Security team and the Hansard and Broadcast teams—it was interesting to see how they both work. While at security I was shown all the cameras around Parliament and how they use them to keep it safe. While being shown around I got to go in the tunnel there which takes you from inside the building to outside in the gardens. I then went back to the other building at 55 St Andrews Place to work with the Broadcast team. It was interesting to see what each little thing goes into broadcasting the proceedings for the day. It was quite busy while there, so I didn’t get to do much, but I did get to learn how they use the cameras to film it. After that I went back over and was able to meet with Renee Heath for a coffee, we had a great chat about what made me interested in work experience at Parliament and what sparked her interest in politics. I then watched some question time in the Assembly which was much quieter then Tuesday. After that I went to the Procedure Office and helped make sure that the bills are ready to be sent with a message to the Governor for royal assent. It was amazing to see how each part of Parliament is responsible for what and how it does it.

On Friday I got to go on a visit to a primary school in East Bentleigh. While there we taught about Parliament, what each house does, and how it does it. We also went over the history of Parliament and why it uses the Westminster system. Before they split into Parliament and debated a bill which they later passed, it was great watching all the kids get involved with the activities. I then sat in on the Assembly debrief meeting for the week. They talked about many different things that had happened through out the week, including what advice they would give to members.

This week of work experience was great, I got to do so many different things and meet so many different people. This was definitely not an opportunity I would pass up if I got to do it again. Even one day of work experience would show someone everything they need to know about Parliament.

Jaxon Marshall 

Year 10 Work Experience Student