Australian Political Exchange

Brisbane, and Sydney 24 – 29 November 2019 Report on the Australian Political Exchange

24 – 29 December 2019

Background

The Australian Political Exchange Council was established in 1981 to arrange exchange visits of young political leaders between Australia and other countries. New Zealand is one of the countries with which an Australian Political (AusPol) exchange programme is in place.

Exchanges with New Zealand commenced in 2001 with objectives of aiding the personal development of participants and promoting friendship and international cooperation through exposure to political, social, economic and cultural systems in each other’s countries.

In August 2019 an Australian delegation comprising political staff and one senator visited New Zealand. In exchange, a delegation of four New Zealand members of Parliament visited Australia in November 2019.

Brisbane

The exchange started in Brisbane and the delegation first met with Hon. Yvette D’Ath, State Member for Redcliffe; Attorney-General and Minister for Justice; Leader of the House, Queensland Parliament.

The following day the delegation also met with the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Cr Andrew Wines, Councillor for Enoggera Ward; Chair of Brisbane City Council and with Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The final day in Brisbane was spent at the Queensland State Parliament where the delegation was introduced to the House and met with Hon Curtis Pitt MP, State Member for Mulgrave; Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and other members of the Queensland Parliament.

Canberra While in Canberra the delegation received briefings from both the Liberal Party of Australia and the as well as the Australian Electoral Commission. A wreath was also laid by the delegation at the Australian War Memorial Last Post ceremony. The following day was spent at the . Meetings were held with a number of MPs and Senators including Senator James Paterson, Senator for Victoria and delegate to New Zealand on the 2019 AusPol exchange. The delegation also met with Hon Alan Ferguson, Chairman of the Australian Political Exchange Council and other Council members where the purpose and future of the exchange programme was discussed. The delegation observed question time in the Senate Chamber and the House of Representatives Chamber and was introduced to both. Final meetings in Canberra were with Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Senator for Victoria; President of the Senate and Hon Tony Smith MP, Federal Member for Casey; Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sydney

The exchange concluded with a brief visit to Sydney and a meeting with Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace APM, of the NSW Police.

Conclusion

Through this exchange the delegation had the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of organisations, MPs, Ministers and officials to gain a deeper understanding of approaches, policies, operations and the political environment in Australia, at both a local, state and national level. Meetings focused on areas of specific interest to the delegation including conservation, mental health, transport and indigenous affairs.

In addition, the delegation furthered inter-parliamentary connections as part of the ongoing Australian Political Exchange programme between New Zealand and Australia.

Appendix One: Official Programme

Sunday 24 November

Arrival in Brisbane

Meeting with the Hon Yvette D’Ath, State Member for Redcliffe; Attorney-General and Minister for Justice; Leader of the House, Queensland Parliament

Monday 25 November - Brisbane

Meeting with Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland

Meeting at Brisbane City Hall with Cr Andrew Wines Councillor for Enoggera Ward; Chair of Brisbane City Council. Briefing on the role of the local council including a private guided tour.

Meeting with Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Spirits of Red Sand – Aboriginal Live Theatre and Dinner Experience

Tuesday 26 November - Brisbane

Briefing on Queensland State Parliament and observation of Question Time in the Legislative Assembly.

Private guided tour of Queensland Parliament House.

Working lunch with Hon Curtis Pitt MP, State Member for Mulgrave; Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Queensland Parliament

Guests included: • Ms Leanne Linard MP, State Member for Nudgee • Mr Lachlan Millar MP, State Member for Gregory; Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers • Mr Shane Lowry, Policy and Protocol Officer, Office of the Speaker

Flight to Canberra

Wednesday 27 November - Canberra

Briefing on Liberal Party of Australia

Briefing on Australian Labor Party Briefing by the Australian Electoral Commission

Working lunch hosted by Mr Brendan Smyth, Commissioner for International Engagement

Visit to the New Zealand High Commission, hosted by Her Excellency Hon Dame Annette King, High Commissioner for New Zealand

Attend, and lay wreath at, Last Post ceremony at Australian War Memorial

Dinner hosted by Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA, Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly; Assistant Speaker; Shadow Minister for Environment; Shadow Minister for Education; Shadow Minister for Disability.

Thursday 28 November – Canberra

Meeting with the Hon Trevor Evans MP, Federal Member for Brisbane; Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management.

Briefing on the Nationals Party.

Briefing on the Party (note, the Australian Greens Party had to withdraw at short notice and this was replaced by a meeting with Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan and Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie).

Meeting with Senator James Paterson, Senator for Victoria.

Meeting with Dr Michael Gardner, Senior Advisor to the Hon MP, Minister for Health; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Cabinet.

Council Luncheon hosted by the Hon Alan Ferguson, Chairman of the Australian Political Exchange Council.

Observation of Question Time in the Senate Chamber.

Observe Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber.

Meeting with Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory; Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters (Minister representing the Minister responsible for the Australian Political Exchange Program)

Courtesy Call on the Hon Tony Smith MP, Federal Member for Casey; Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Courtesy Call on Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Senator for Victoria; President of the Senate.

Flight to Sydney

Friday 29 November – Sydney

Meeting with Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace APM, Commander, Criminal Groups Squad and Strike Force Raptor, NSW Police Force.

Private guided tour of Sydney Opera House.

Flight to New Zealand.

Appendix Two: Members of the delegation

• Matthew Doocey MP, Member for Waimakiriri, National Party (delegation lead) • Brett Hudson MP, List Member, National Party • Sarah Dowie MP, Member for Invercargill, National Party • Harete Hipango MP, Member for Whanganui, National Party