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
Mrs Helen Dalton MP has been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly since March 2019, representing the electoral district of Murray as a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. She attended the 2019 State Parliamentary Leaders Program, alongside 19 of her peers.
The Challenge
What was one of the biggest challenges you had to meet as a new parliamentarian?
To adjust to a completely different role and lifestyle. Managing staff and stepping up to the important position of MP. Everyone was looking to me for wisdom and for answers and at times I felt totally inadequate and out of my depth.
The Course
What do you perceive as the benefits of the training being cross-party?
The biggest benefit was the interaction between everyone and that everyone else was having the same challenges as me. Getting to know others from different parties was great as it broke down the barriers and gave me an understanding of their perspective.
The Core Values
If you were assured of success, what is the one thing you would champion right now? Why?
I would like to resolve the water issues so that this resource is equitably distributed. There are so many aspects to water which need to be resolved. Many communities and their environments are suffering because the issues remains poorly understood and the needs of all stakeholders are not being fairly balanced and there needs to be better processes for all voices to be heard.
The Check-In
What aspect of you would you really want to amplify now?
That I stand up and represent the views of my constituents and that I will fight tirelessly for a better deal for my electorate.
The Change-Making
Which element of the current political system needs the greatest overhaul, in your opinion, and why?
Better and fairer representation for the bush. We are often forgotten and neglected as the population continues to urbanise to coastal areas. I want to ensure that politicians in cities have a genuine understanding about issues in rural NSW. One size doesn’t fit all. Many decisions often have huge ramifications for rural populations and we need to ensure we are governing for all.
Responses by Helen Dalton MP, September 2020
Image of Murray, NSW from hunterandbligh.com.au
Image of Helen Dalton from helendalton.com.au
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.