An ‘insightful, educational and wonderful experience’: Attachment of Jean Sahu from NPSI

Between 3 and 28 October 2017, the Parliament of NSW had the privilege of hosting Ms Jean Sahu from the National Parliament of Solomon Islands Procedure Office.

Jean was attached to NSW as part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's twinning program partnership. Jean spent four weeks in NSW, in which time she worked alongside the Table and Procedure Offices of each House. The attachment afforded the opportunity to shadow officers whose roles are similar to her own at home, particularly those who produce House Papers. Jean also discussed systems for tabled papers, bills and acted as a Clerk at the Table in both Houses.

Jean's primary task during her attachment was the production of a procedure guide for the NPSI to assist new staff and provide a handy reference to the procedures and systems that drive the business of the Procedure Office. Jean completed an initial draft which she has now taken back to her team for further consultation and final publication.

Of her stay, Jean reflected that she had 'gained a lot of knowledge regarding skills and procedure. In turn, I feel I can carry out my job in the Solomon Islands Parliament with much more confidence and put the skills which I have learnt here to good use when I return home'.

While the opportunity to acquire a taste of Sydney and all of its sights and experiences was a valued aspect of the attachment, Jean reported that the opportunity to compare and contrast the practice of the two parliaments and to build strong professional networks were the most valuable takeaways from the attachment. Jean concluded that, 'all in all, it has been a most insightful, educational and wonderful experience'. The Parliament of NSW wishes Jean all the best on her return to the busy work of procedure at home and looks to future partnership activities between our twinned parliaments.