This week, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Milton Dick MP will celebrate visiting 150 schools as part of the Parliament in Schools program, as he visits schools across Mallee with the Federal Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster MP.
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.
On Monday 24 February, they will visit:
- Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Horsham
- Birchip P-12 School, Birchip, and
- Robinvale College, Robinvale.
On Tuesday 25 February, they will visit:
- Irymple South Primary School, Irymple, and
- Henderson College, Irymple.
Quotes attributable to the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives
"I am so proud to be celebrating 150 school visits since I launched this program 2022, bringing Parliament to schools across Australia – from King Island to Far North Queensland to Nullagine, and now to Mallee."
"It is a particularly important time for civics education and engagement. We need to ensure we improve democracy literacy across the nation, and support needs to be extended to students regardless of their location."
"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.