Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has this week been delighted to welcome the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Milton Dick MP to the Parkes electorate.

The Hon Milton Dick MP is this week visiting Moree Plains and Gwydir Shires as part of the Parliament in Schools program, to educate students about federation, democracy and the work of the Australian Parliament in conjunction with local Member for Parkes the Hon Mark Coulton MP.

“The Parliament in Schools program is designed to bring the work of the Parliament to Regional Australia, and I have been pleased to introduce the Speaker of the House of Representatives to several schools in the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said.

“Bullarah Public School, Rowena Public School, Gravesend Public School, Pallamallawa Public School and Croppa Creek Public School will all have the opportunity to hear the Speaker of the House as well as myself speak about what it is that we do in the Federal Parliament.

“The Parliament in Schools program was launched last year and is a bi-partisan initiative and extension to the work of the Parliamentary Education Office who co-ordinate outreach education programs to schools across the country.

“I thank the Speaker of the House for taking the time to visit students and teachers in the Parkes electorate, and I hope that this will be a regular occurrence in years to come.

“It’s so important for the next generation to connect with the functions of the democracy they are a part of, as it affects them greatly whether they realise it or not,” Mr Coulton said.

“I would encourage teachers and parents across the Parkes electorate to foster a constructive and positive approach towards our Parliamentary processes and engagement in our young people, who are our future.”