Day 0

Everyone in the group flew into Canberra today to start the journey. Coming from Adelaide there is only two direct flights, so Nikki took me to the airport at 5.30am. I arrived nice and early in Canberra.
Federal Parliament was sitting today and with an old scholar as the deputy chair in the House of Representative. I went to see question time. Bruce Scott (Nuffield Scholar and MP) got me a seat in the Speakers Gallery. I arrived at 1.45 to only see a few MP’s in “The House”, but once question time drew near they all strode in to their seats and were ready for the 2:00 start.
The Opposition were still trying to get at Peter Garrett for the Insulation Scheme. There is a lot of problems with this scheme, that has left people out of work and companies with huge levels of stock on hand already paid for. The Government were not in the mood to answer any question other than the staged one’s coming from their own side.
I was very impressed by the Honourable Julia Gillard when she was asked a few questions and how see went about partly answering them. Each side of the house had their hecklers. Wilson Tuckey was like a mad uncle everyone has in their family. He would yell out and cat call at regular intervals.
We had a tour of Parliament House, courtesy of Bruce Scott and were able to have dinner in the Members Dining Room. Bruce was a gracious host and gave us a insight into politics, both Agri and Straight. Some of key drivers for dinner conversation were global warning & feeding the worlds 9 billion people. With the questions of “can we produce enough?”, “who will produce it?” and “if we can, will they be able to pay for it?”
I am always amazed by some people’s forward thinking. Burley Griffen who designed Canberra was one of these. Bruce told us of the symbolism used in his plan. On a direct line the path goes from the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Solider, down Anzac Parade, over Lake Burley Griffen to Gallipoli Rocks and all the way up to Parliament House. This imaginary line continues through the House passing through the Great Hall, Cabinet Room and stops in the Prime Minister’s Office.
It symbolises the struggle and sacrifices that have been to allow our country to reach a democracy.
Tomorrow awaits.

A great starter to “The Journey”.