Leaders search for insight

A GROUP of Casey’s budding politicians, lawyers and public servants visited Parliament House this month to get an insight into how the government works.
The 10 Casey students were chosen for the 2014 Australia Day Study Tour, which aims to give them the opportunity to learn more about the three tiers of Australian Government.
The group visited the City of Casey Civic Centre in Narre Warren to learn about local government and spent a day at Parliament House in Melbourne learning more about State Government by meeting politicians, touring the facilities and attending a sitting of parliament in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
Last month they flew to Canberra to learn more about the Federal Government at Parliament House for four days by meeting with politicians, including leaders of both parties and attending sittings of Commonwealth Parliament.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne got to meet the local participants in Canberra and said it was a great honour.
“One of the best things you are able to do as an MP is to engage vibrant, intelligent young people in dialogue,” he said.
“It is exciting and challenging to talk about young people and about Australia’s future, particularly with young people who have passion, energy and ideas.
“After our discussions, I am very sure about the future of our region, given the quality of the young people and the conversation we had.
“The questions put to me were probing and intelligent.
“I sincerely hope that a number of these young people, who are learning about community leadership and participation, will want to get involved in the political process.”
The students participating in the 2014 Australia Day Study Tour are Stephen Capon, Samantha Chapman, Kelsy De Prada, Sarah Dunstan, Sitarah Mohammadi, Mason Peatling, Nelson Phan, Arnhie-Marie San Juan, Asanga Seneviratne and Wali Sultani.