Murdoch University and the WA Parliament team up to give students a taste of power

A COLLOABORATION between Murdoch University and the Western Australian Parliament is empowering students in a tough job market.

Commencing this semester, the Sir Walter Murdoch School’s flagship Parliamentary Democracy unit immerses graduate students in the parliamentary environment.

This unique experience, the only unit of its kind in Australia, allows students to peek behind the political curtain and gain a true sense of how power is wielded in theory and practice in WA.

Unit co-ordinator William Bowe said the course provided a valuable understanding of the legislative and political processes common in parliament.

“To be able to engage effectively with government, both public and corporate entities need to know the fundamental building blocks of the parliamentary process and government,” he said.

“That knowledge – and the high-level contacts they make – can create job opportunities for students.”

All classes take place in the WA Parliamentary complex and feature a range of guest speakers drawn from the Parliament’s core staff, with students able to liaise with politicians and parliamentary officers during assessments.

“Parliamentarians are very candid with the students, giving them an intimate look at what politicians are meant to do in theory and what parliamentary life is like in practice,” added Bowe.

“To get a sense of how well our political system is working as a democracy, it is invaluable to witness it first-hand and get to know the people involved, and that is what this unit provides.”