Legislature becomes lecture hall
7 October 2022
Law and justice students from Victoria University have gained practical insights into the workings of parliament during a program held at Parliament House.
During the two-hour program, Legislative Council member for the Eastern Metropolitan Region, Sonja Terpstra, spoke about the many facets of an MP’s work and answered a range of questions from the students.
The program also included sessions on a typical sitting week and parliamentary committee processes, presented by parliament’s clerks and committee staff.
Now in its fourth year, the parliament in practice program was delivered online during the pandemic but has now returned to in-person sessions at Parliament House, providing students with the opportunity to experience the building where Victoria’s laws are made.
Over the four years, hundreds of VU students have participated in the program and undertaken assignments based on what they have learnt during it.
'We are privileged to have our students learn about parliamentary process, the role of an MP and parliamentary committees whilst sitting in the seats of the Legislative Council,' said VU Senior Lecturer Kathleen Raponi.
'This unique experience allows students to make direct connections between unit content and the role of parliament,' she said.
