Pearce MHR Christian Porter (centre) with year 6 students from Ellenbrook Christian College.
Camera IconPearce MHR Christian Porter (centre) with year 6 students from Ellenbrook Christian College. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Ellenbrook Students have Q’n’A with Politician

Joel KellyThe Advocate

The interview was a chance for students to prepare for a visit to Canberra and Parliament House in July and give them an insight into the life of a Federal politician.

Here is a selection of questions from the students:

Q: Why were you interested in politics?

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A: My interest started with my family and then as a lawyer. I felt like politics was something that I could do a good job at. The important thing with any career is to find something that you love doing.

Q: How did you become Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister?

A: I was selected by the Prime Minister to be his Parliamentary Secretary. You never turn down a job that the Prime Minister offers you.

Q: What do you do as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister? And do you like working for him?

A: I give speeches for the Prime Minister, provide him with advice, write papers for him, attend meetings, engagements and events representing him and travel overseas and interstate on his behalf. I also go for runs with the Prime Minister. Yes I like working for him.

Q: Do you prefer to give speeches or listen, and do you get scared when you speak in public?

A: Yes, I get scared to speak in public sometimes but you learn to deal with it and it’s all about practice. I don’t know whether I prefer to give speeches or listen to them because listening can be an amazing experience and I have got to listen to some incredible talks by people such as Nelson Mandela.

Q: Do you have friends in other parties?

A: Yes. I have some good friends from the other side of the Chamber. It is a bit like factions in school and I am sure you have friends across factions.

Q: How often does Parliament sit?

A: 22 weeks of the year. My staff and I are there from 7.30am until 11pm, four days a week, when Parliament is sitting.

Q: How close do you work with the City of Swan?

A: I work very closely with the City of Swan. Different levels of government and have different responsibilities but I always talk to the Mayor and chief executive about issues.

Q: What is the hardest part of your job?

A: The travel.

Q: When you travel do people recognise you and want to talk to you? Do you have paparazzi?

A: People do stop me when I go out but there are no paparazzi.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I like coming home, spending time with my wife, gardening and running.