Taste of life in Parliament

Strathalbyn Christian College students viewed Parliament House from a different perspective — as guests of the Member for Geraldton.

The secondary school student representative councillors hit the road at 6am last Thursday to travel to Perth for a silver-service lunch in the members’ lounge with Ian Blayney.

Head girl Emma Bruce and deputy head girl Jessica Wright said they thoroughly enjoyed their “fancy lunch”.

“We were waited on hand and foot, and received an entree, main and dessert, with an unlimited refill of refreshments. There was a glorious amount of pork, chicken, steak, fish and an array of sweets, that left us overly satisfied,” they wrote in the school newsletter.

The girls said despite the long day, which included 10 hours of travelling from Geraldton, the students gained valuable insight into the workings of Parliament.

Staff member Fiona Davidson said it was a fantastic opportunity for students and well worth the long trip.

“We loved it. It was very nice of Mr Blayney to invite the students,” she said.

A member of Mr Blayney’s office said the MP issued an invitation to a number of schools to be his lunch guests in 2014, to spark the interest of students by seeing Parliament in action.

Strathalbyn Christian College took up the offer and he invited them to lunch again this year.

The students also had a tour of Parliament House and watched the politicians discuss Budget estimates.

Members pay for the meals of guests out of their own pocket.