Deborah O'Neill (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Like the member for Hasluck, I was very proud to host an Indigenous year 11 student as part of the Learn Earn Legend Work Exposure program this week. Connor Watson spent two days learning the ropes and seeing what life in this place is like. I asked that Connor write a few words about his time with me and my office. I am happy to read those into Hansard for him now:

My name is Connor Watson; I'm a year 11 student from Knox Grammar School.

Over the past few days I have had the opportunity to do work placement in the parliament house, this is through the very successful; learn, earn, legend program.

I am very lucky to have the chance to come to Canberra and work with Deborah, Ann and Richie. These few days have really changed my ideas of politics.

At the start of the week I really had no idea or much interest in how the country is run, but I have been fortunate enough to see the cool side of politics whether its question time, the meetings I hear about or even just the various tours I have been on.

I did some office work and I learnt about the issues facing people in our electorate of Robertson.

I hope that one day the country fixes the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people through getting in constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians.

I have known Connor over many years. He was the absolute gun rugby player who joined my son's under-seven team at the Sharks at Avoca. We were not a very successful team overall but we knew we had a star when Connor arrived. He is a star. He has got himself a scholarship to Knox. He is a former student of St Edwards at East Gosford, a wonderful asset to this nation.