The first CPA Parliamentary Academy residency programme has been held in Australia for 31 Commonwealth Parliamentarians. The CPA programme examined how MPs can be better performing legislators and scrutineers and provided an extension of the CPA Parliamentary Academy, the CPA’s portfolio of online courses specifically for Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials.

The inaugural CPA Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Programme was hosted by the Parliament of New South Wales from 22 to 26 May 2022 and attended by MPs from a wide range of Commonwealth jurisdictions including Anguilla; Australian Capital Territory; Bangladesh; Belize; New South Wales; Niue; Pakistan; Saint Lucia; Selangor (Malaysia); Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Queensland; Western Australia; and Western Cape (South Africa).

Participants were mentored throughout the programme by current and alumni Parliamentarians and Clerks from across the CPA Australia Region including:
• From New South Wales, the current Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leslie Williams MP; former Member and CPA Vice-Chairperson, Hon. John Ajaka; and former Clerk, Mr Russell Grove.
• From Western Australia, current Member, Hon. Kate Doust MLC.
• From the Australia Federal Parliament, former Member, Hon. Kevin Andrews.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg spoke at the opening and said:

“This residency programme is an initiative of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, an organisation created to foster deeper connections between Commonwealth Parliaments as well as to create opportunities for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to share knowledge.”

The residency programme in New South Wales began with a traditional ‘Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony’ performed by Marrawarra and Barkindji man, Brendan Kerin, from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council.

The CPA Parliamentary Academy will be expanding further in 2022 with new online courses aimed specifically at Speakers and Presiding Officers and Members of the CPA’s various networks including courses on climate change in small jurisdictions; developing effective women's parliamentary caucuses; accessibility of Commonwealth Parliaments to Persons with Disabilities; and Parliaments’ role in the Sustainable Development Goals. A second Residency programme will also be held later this year.

For further information about the CPA Parliamentary Academy courses please email hq.sec@cpahq.org.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.