Page 4169 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2019
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advisers. Eight other young Canberra women have also participated this week at the ACT Legislative Assembly as part of girls take over parliament.
In the two days Harriet spent here, I asked her a lot of questions about her opinions on various matters. I am really pleased to say that not only did she have an opinion on a wide range of matters but that it was a very informed opinion on a range of matters. She was willing to talk about them and asked questions to understand what other people were thinking. It was a really important part of showing how engaged she was in the political process.
Harriet said she felt that the voices of young people—young women of diversity especially—were under-represented generally in parliament, and she is passionate about creating a positive political culture that genuinely engages with young people and women of diversity.
Harriet said she feels this program, even though it was only two days in the Assembly, has been invaluable to her. She felt wanted and welcomed in politics as a young woman. She has learned much more about the way that democracy works in the ACT Assembly on a day-to-day level and is now much more confident about how she can be heard, calling up her local politician and asking for change in the future.
I express my appreciation to Harriet for her efforts in my office this week and to the other young women in other offices throughout the Assembly. I especially thank Jasiri Australia for their hard work and vision in putting together the girls take over parliament program. Thanks also to the Hon Margaret Reid, the first female President of the Senate, and former ABC journalist Ginger Gorman, who spoke to the girls this week.
On our side of the corridor Mark Parton, Elizabeth Lee, Candice Burch and Julia Jones have also participated. I am really looking forward to the next generation of young and diverse women’s representation, like Harriet, to see how they can take over politics by entering our parties and our parliament in the future. I am excited at the opportunities for them to help shape positive change in our community in the process.
Thank you to everyone involved, and I wish Harriet all the very best for the future. I think she has a very bright future ahead of her. She is studying at the ANU and she does a lot of research. She is keen to learn more, and this is a really valuable attribute that will stand her in good stead in the future. Thank you, Harriet Nolan.
Catherine Woodward—tribute
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (5.14): I rise to pay tribute today to Catherine Woodward, commonwealth public servant, colleague, dog lover and friend—my friend. Catherine died early last week, following a short unexpected illness. Catherine would be a little shocked that any fuss was made about her. Indeed, she has actually asked that a funeral not be held. One of her key personality traits was her quiet humility. But it is for this reason that it is important to acknowledge and pay public tribute to who Catherine was and the type of public and personal contribution she made.
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