Parliament, Policy, the Press & the Public: Preparing for the
Challenges of being a Minister

A Professional Skills Development Course for Parliamentarians

21 – 30 October 2009 | Canberra

CDI recently concluded a new professional development course for parliamentarians from the Pacific Islands region and Timor-Leste. This highly specialised Course was aimed specifically at relatively new parliamentarians who want to better understand their roles and responsibilities and who aspire to and wish to be better prepared for future positions of leadership. The idea for this course came about as the result of MPs in the region asking for further training following the induction programs and specialised workshops that CDI has helped organise and run. This course was therefore designed to address a gap in programs to assist parliamentarians newly appointed to positions in government and thereby help them become more effective leaders and government ministers in their respective countries. It helps meet a growing demand from the public throughout the region for strong and outcome-oriented people in ministerial positions who can make a difference.

The course was convened by Hon. Dr Kay Patterson, former Senator and Minister in the Australian Federal Government, with the assistance of former Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. Moses Maladina MP, and CDI Deputy Director Quinton Clements. It was held in Canberra from Wednesday 21st to Friday 30th October 2009.

Sixteen parliamentarians, including several Ministers in their respective governments, from across the region participated in the course. They were joined by Mr Mariano Carmo who works for the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste. They were involved in a practical, interactive course using best practice from Australia and the region. Session presenters included current and former Members of the Federal, NSW and ACT parliaments, departmental heads, ministerial advisers and key statutory officeholders such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The course was officially opened by the Hon. Duncan Kerr MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs. The program addressed some of the following subjects:

• Constitutional and legal frameworks - understanding the concepts of responsible government and the separation of powers;
• Understanding the job of being both an MP and a Minister ;
• Supporting Ministers - the role of Ministerial staff - setting up your office including appointing your personal staff;
• Ministers’ relationship with Departments - building a relationship with your department(s) – creating a ministerial/departmental liaison mechanism;
• Cabinet – collective responsibility, understanding the policy making process, working with fellow ministers – cabinet solidarity;
• Understanding the budget process;
• Parliamentary Business (parliamentary questions, the legislation process, parliamentary committee inquiries);
• Dealing with the institutions of accountability such as parliament, Ombudsman, Leadership Code Commissions, Anti-Corruption bodies, Audit Office;
• Preparing and giving speeches;
• Dealing with the media;
• Dealing with the party – implementing party platforms;
• Ministerial conduct - principles of good leadership & good governance - ethics and codes of conduct for Ministers.