Indigenous women meet MPs

Two Karratha women went on the trip of a lifetime last week to meet the country’s leaders and learn the political system in the Straight Talk Program.

Pilbara Education Regional Office Aboriginal Education manager Susann Beath and Department of Education Aboriginal Education co-ordinator Natasha Hunter joined 63 other indigenous women in Canberra to talk to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Deputy Opposition leader Julie Bishop, Greens Senator Rachel Siewort and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin about the issues important to them and their communities.

Straight Talk, started by Oxfam five years ago, is designed to promote political participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to give them change-making skills and engage them in the political system.

Over five days the women learnt about talking to the media, the structure of government and advocating and lobbying skills. Ms Bishop co-hosted the program’s opening ceremony with Ms Macklin and Senator Siewart and also hosted a small group session in her parliamentary office.

“It was a marvellous opportunity to connect with a group of women from different backgrounds and experiences who had travelled to Canberra to engage in the political process and make new friends,” Ms Bishop said.

Mrs Hunter said she took away a lot more knowledge of the political system and had made life-long friends, strong connections and networks.

“When it comes up again next year, I highly recommend that any of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the Pilbara apply for it because it’s a benefit, not only to them but to their communities,” she said.

The women also got to role play at passing a Bill through the Senate and participating in Parliament question time.

“It’s a real eye-opener because what you see being there at Parliament House is way different from what’s portrayed in the media,” Ms Beath said.

She said she enjoyed talking to the politicians over morning tea organised by Ms Bishop and described them as very down to earth and easy to talk to.