Working with politicians

Being an internship student in Parliament House is not an easy work, I work with Dr. Gordon Moyes, a member of the legislative council in Sydney. He used to be a member of the Christian Democratic Party, but he had divorced with the party just a month ago before I arrived. Then they have to move to a temporary office, where I don’t have my own computer, and even a desk. Luckily I have brought my own laptop with me, and use a small table for typing.

Most of the legislators would hire two staff, one is the speech writer, and the other would be the secretary. My job duties, of course, would be an assistant with their large workload, so I have to pick up all mails for Dr. Gordon Moyes, post mails, filling, type books, maintain Dr. Moyes’ website, greet guests in some functions as well as sit in the chamber to hear what they are debating for the bills (that’s cool for me!). I enjoy sitting in the chamber, then I can recognize most of the faces of Sydney’s political leaders, how their legislative system operate, how the government deal with the opposite parties. Once I heard the opposition say “excellent rubbish!” to describe the treasury minister during debating, I can’t help to bursting into laughing, you just imagine there is another ‘long hair’ sitting the chamber and biting with the governors, isn’t it funny to watch?

And my supervisor is a very strong and talent young lady, she is graduated from University of Sydney, the Political and Economic major, she can handle lots of things at the same time, surely have to work under high pressure. She is also the speech writer for Gordon, that means she has to catch up the latest news quickly and analyze them deeply. At the first week here, Maria (my supervisor) told me to speak loudly, to be tough and confident! Although I don’t think my voice is too soft, I respect all the advice she gives me. My another colleague, Leslie, is a gentle and elegant lady, she speaks slowly and softly, that’s why I love her so much. It’s easier for me to pick up Leslie’s words rather than Maria’s. But the one I love most in office is our legislator, Dr. Gordon Moyes, a wise old man who talks Bible stories with me a lot. He is very busy, but he still remembered to bring me some postcards from his far way home.

I love working in the Parliament House, although I am always very busy, and have to stay late. The only inconvenience is lack of time for my own writing……