IT’S often been said a week is a long time in politics.
Inverell High School captain Josh Cathie got more than he bargained for last week after heading to Macquarie Street for work experience at Parliament House under the watchful eye of Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan.
During an historic week in state politics, Josh witnessed two leadership spills when Mark Speakman stood down as leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Dugald Saunders resigned as leader of the NSW Nationals.
First-term MP Kellie Sloane was endorsed as new Liberal Party leader on Thursday, two days after Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, was elected to lead the NSW Nationals after Mr Saunders’ shock resignation on Monday.
“My week of work experience was eye-opening and energising,” Josh said.
“I observed how the environment would quickly shift from debating bills to working with one another.
“This deepened my understanding of how decisions that affect us are made and how members of parliament work from day to day in a sitting week.
“Throughout the week, I was able to sit in on multiple parliamentary proceedings that showed me the scale of work that goes into delivering for the community,” he said.
Josh said one of the highlights during a tumultuous week of state politics was watching Question Time.
“Seeing it unfold in real time was completely different from seeing short clips on the news,” Josh said.
“The energy, the pace and the pressure were all on full display as ministers were challenged on their decisions and held to account.
“What impressed me most was how quickly members had to think on their feet, balancing preparation with the unpredictability of the debate,” he said.
By the end of the week, the Macquarie Street bunker was like a second home for Josh.
“What made the experience even more meaningful was how inclusive and supportive everyone was,” he said.
“I left with a stronger understanding of how Parliament functions and with a clearer sense of the kind of leader I want to become.
“Additionally, it was interesting to watch the behind-the-scenes work of every parliamentarian, staffer and journalist, plus leadership changes in real time and how each of these people help to deliver the direction for our state.
“I’d like to thank Brendan, his office and everyone who made this experience possible for me and for making it so engaging,” Josh said.
Mr Moylan said Josh certainly picked a very strange week for work experience in NSW Parliament.
“The week was dominated by two leadership changes and particularly raucous question times in the lower house, with multiple members been thrown out of the chamber across the week,” Mr Moylan said.
“Josh was able to spend time watching debates and question time in both houses of Parliament and he was able to see what MPs do in Parliament during a sitting week.
“Josh also helped me with some research across a few topics across the week.
“He is a great young bloke with a very bright future, and I hope he enjoyed his week in Macquarie Street,” he said.
Josh has his heart firmly set on becoming a chalky, but firmly believes he also needs to be an active community leader.
“I want to become a high school teacher to help provide rural and remote students with the mindset to overcome inequities and transform the next generations of people,” Josh said.
“This helps inform students but also creates sparks into what they see in their own future.
“The week in state parliament helped me realise to achieve this, I need to have an open mind and be an active leader in the community as well as the classroom,” he said.
