Parliamentary Leaders Program is now known as Next25 Leadership
THE CONTEXT
Our first Parliamentary Leaders Program ran in 2015 and we now count approximately 8% of all sitting parliamentarians as alumni, including 10% of NSW and WA parliaments. Facilitated under Chatham House Rule and a strictly non-partisan environment, those who attend choose to uncover and deeply understand their own values so that they become increasingly conscious individuals, more purposeful leaders and constructive change-makers. This series of Q&As with program alumni is designed to give all of our alumni the opportunity to get to know each other and to provide our community with new insight into the experience of being a politician and some of the work our alumni are doing in relation to their professional development.
INTRODUCING
Ruth Forrest is an independent member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council in the electoral division of Murchison. She attended the Parliamentary Leaders Program in 2017 and has been a proactive advocate of professional development for parliamentarians and the broader Australian Futures Project mission.
The Challenge
What was one of the biggest challenges you had to meet as a new parliamentarian?
Having been elected in 2005, it seems a long time ago that I was "the new Member" sitting in the "new Member seat". As an Independent Member I found I was pretty much on my own. I was shown where the Parliamentary Library, the dining room, IT department, the ladies bathrooms, Clerks, President's and other Members offices etc. were and then left to find my own way. I had never stepped foot inside Parliament House prior to my election and had no previous experience in politics, outside the workplace politics of nursing and midwifery.
Coming from a health background, I felt quite well prepared to advocate for health services. I understood how the system worked at the grassroots level and knew the legislation that applied to my practice. Whilst this knowledge and experience was useful, there was much I didn’t know about in this area. I didn't believe I had a financial bone in my body so when I was elected just ahead of the Budget Session I felt completely out of my depth. I struggled on, with only one staff member, who was leaving to join a Federal Senator's office and engaging a new staff member with very limited political experience. It was sink or swim.
In no time I was dealing with legislation to regulate the sex industry. I felt comfortable with this as I had worked in women's health and as a sex educator, making it less difficult to really appreciate the matters being considered. When the Bill was introduced to the Legislative Council, it was clear it would not be supported and we saw an almost completely new Bill introduced effectively overnight. Was this how it works, I wondered?
I soon realised, as an Independent Member, I needed to get my head around all aspects relevant to my electorate, the industries - agriculture, mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, inter-generational poverty and disadvantage, homelessness and low educational attainment, the public finances and economics, our justice system and everything in between. As a new Member, this was daunting and it took a while to build up the networks I needed to have "go-to experts" in every area who could assist me. I often joked that if I could have laid in a bed and had an infusion of knowledge in all these areas, even if it took several days, I would do that! I knew I had to grab every opportunity to undertake Committee work, where you learn so much more about a particular area. I also was determined to undertake other professional learning whenever I could. Another key was to surround myself with people smarter than me in specific areas that I could contact for advice, information and greater understanding in areas I was less familiar with.
Personal development and leadership programs have also been essential to assist me understand myself and interactions with others to enable me to have the greatest influence I can for the benefit of the people of Tasmania.
As a new Member, I brought my own life experience, growing up on a farm, living in a regional area, a (good) public school education, nursing and midwifery experience and the many benefits being a sex educator brings. These life experiences however, do not prepare you for the enormity of the privileged role you are taking one and the vast range of knowledge you need to acquire to do your job well. One of the biggest challenges I experienced was a significant lack of knowledge, experience (lived or learned) of so many other areas in which I was being called on to make major and significant decisions about. Decisions that impacted on the lives and livelihoods of my fellow Tasmanians. The thirst for knowledge and valuing of lifelong learning, building networks and relationships, personal and professional development and “go-to experts”, have been crucial to overcoming what I believe was the biggest challenge of a new Member.
The Course
What was the most profound / valuable experience of the course and why?
The course was the first (and to date only) leadership course designed specifically for Parliamentarians. Having undertaken other leadership programs and courses it was really helpful to focus on the specific leadership challenges and skills needed by Parliamentarians. I found the opportunity to fully immerse myself within this context resulted in a greater appreciation of the leadership styles and approaches I relied on and how others I worked with interacted with this. The course helped me to much better understand my values and how to rise above challenges or distractions to achieve my own goals and have greater influence on decisions made by other leaders.
Having a one-to-one with Ralph in a compressed time frame where he was willing to really challenge my values, my motivations, my thinking, my understanding and desired outcomes was profound and challenging, at the same time being extremely valuable and defining. The course helped me to better understand myself and those I work with and seek to influence at a much deeper level and with greater impact.
The Core Values
What keeps you positive / motivated in your role? Why?
I continue to be motivated through the people I represent and serve. The beauty of being a Parliamentarian is that every day brings new challenges and new opportunities. This role continues to meet my deep desire for lifelong learning and the opportunity to make a difference in the life of another. When I see the outcome of my work expressed through the gratitude and acknowledgment of my constituents, in quiet ways mostly, a kind word in the street, phone call, private message or email, I feel renewed and motivated to continue. Even in circumstances where I have been unable to directly assist, or agree with another person's point of view, listening and doing what I can generally brings gratitude and respect. To be publicly recognised is also very gratifying and humbling. However seeing how I have influenced decision making and policy through my work is what really keeps me positive and motivated.
The Check-In
What does the opportunity to check back in with the facilitators and alumni afford you?
A shared experience is very powerful as we can all learn from each other. When you know another's story and underlying value base, I believe it is much harder to be critical of them as a person. We can have different political beliefs and ideologies but when you know the person and have taken the time to really listen, I believe there is a shared and common desire to make a real difference for those we serve. Checking in with facilitators and alumni can help reinforce learnings and provides a freedom to share experiences. When life gets busy and pressure mounts, especially at times we currently face with COVID-19, we can forget to take a breath and reach out. Access to others facing the same or similar challenges is very helpful as many others in the community have no lived experience of the unique and privileged position we hold.
The Change-Making
If you and other alumni could work together to transform and improve one element of the political system (no matter how ambitious), what would it be and what would that look like?
I envision a cooperative political system guided by a shared long-term vision and plan in the key areas of education, health care, community well-being and infrastructure. I envision a political system where those outside the party in power but with expertise and/or knowledge in these areas are key participants in decision making. I envision a political system that values and understands our Federal system and appreciates the need to achieve a balanced economy rather than a balanced budget, that serves all Australians. I envision a political system that demands respect for diversity and inclusion and does not tolerate misogyny, racism, sexism or violence. I note there are four elements, however to achieve any one of these we need to have all three.
Responses by Ruth Forrest MP, August 2020
Image of Murchison from ausphotography.net.au
Image of Ruth Forrest from The Mercury
Know of a politician who you think would be interested or benefit from this Program? You can nominate a politician for the next Parliamentary Leaders Program here.