September 10, 2009

Year 6 students from St Patrick's College Strathfield opened their CEFA School Parliament with their first sitting earlier today following a successful election between the Earth Party and the Workers Party. Eminent community guests attended including the Parliament mentor Mr Douglas Sutherland AM JP, former Lord Mayor of Sydney. Upon presenting the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition with the Parliamentary Mace Mr Sutherland talked of his pride of St Patrick's as he is an ex-student of the school graduating with the class of 1949. He also gave the Parliament a short history of the Mace, the role of despatch boxes and an explanation of the workings of the Australian system of government.

Nine bills were tabled and debated by the relevant cabinet and shadow cabinet ministers. All speakers presented their argument powerfully and with individual flair and style. A senate will now be formed to debate and vote further on the bills which range from the health minister's proposals to improve healthy eating to solar panels proposed by the environment minister and anti-bullying legislation proposed by the peace minister. Outstanding alternative solutions for each bill as put up by the opposition will need to be debated further.

Above: The nine bills are tabled and debated by the
Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet, watched by an engaged
press gallery of interested students. 

CEFA Executive Director Mrs Kerry Jones attended the opening sitting and played the role of the Governor-General. Upon declaring the Parliament open she stressed the importance of the young students engagement and life-long participation as a part of serving their families, local and wider communities and Australia.

Mrs Jones added 'I hope some of the students here today will think about going into a public life and make an important contribution as have so many students from this great school including Mr Sutherland. The staff and CEFA community wishes the St Patrick's Parliament a great success for the future. Mr Jim Walters, Head of Junior School, deserves full congratulations for his outstanding efforts as the instigator and now the speaker of the St Patrick's Primary College Parliament.

Above: The Prime Minister from the Earth Party being
congratulated by the Parliament mentor, Mr Doug
Sutherland AM JP, watched on by Governor-General of
the day, Mrs Kerry Jones.

Above: Prime Minister from the Earth Party (left) and
Leader of the Opposition from the Workers Party (right)
with the Parliamentary Mace