Over the next two days, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Milton Dick MP is in Central Queensland with the Leader of the Nationals, the Honourable David Littleproud MP, as part of the Parliament in Schools program.
Students will learn about federation, democracy and the Australian Parliament, as well as hear first-hand from the Speaker and their local member on what a typical day looks like in their electorate and when they are in Parliament House for sitting weeks.
With the Leader of the Nationals, the Speaker will visit:
- Longreach State High School, Longreach
- Muttaburra State School, Muttaburra
- Longreach School of Distance Education, Longreach
- Longreach State School, Longreach (including Ilfracombe State School, Isisford State School and Stonehenge State School who will attend on the day), and
- Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Longreach.
Quotes attributable to the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives
"Since I launched this program, I have visited over 135 schools across Australia – from King Island to Far North Queensland to Nullagine, and now to Longreach."
"The Parliament in Schools program is an integral part of improving civics education across Australia."
"These students are our future leaders, and it is important that we equip them with the information and tools they need, to go on to be active and engaged citizens."
About the Parliament in Schools program
Launched in September 2022, the Parliament in Schools program is a bi-partisan initiative to make civics education accessible to students regardless of their location. In collaboration with local federal members, the Speaker is visiting schools across Australia to bring parliament to them.
The program is an extension to well-established PEO onsite, digital and outreach education programs available to schools across Australia.
It also complements the existing PEO online and print resources that are curriculum-aligned, for Australian teachers and students.