Paul Neville (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the United Kingdom and Poland from 25 June to 8 July 2006. It is difficult, in five minutes, to convey the entirety of a visit to the UK, Scotland and Poland, other than to say that it was an enjoyable experience giving all of us who were part of the delegation an insight into how politics is practised in other countries, how our own country is viewed, how it performs against international benchmarks and how it is perceived and hopefully respected in the international community. The UK and Scottish section of the visit was arranged by the UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, whose professionalism and organisational abilities are par excellence. I thank Paul Jackson and Helen Haywood for their extraordinary facilitation and hospitality.

Unlike previous visits I have had to the UK, on this occasion we were able to drill down into areas of expertise that are highly relevant to Australia—for example, an understanding of the framework of the BBC, both in TV and radio structures, as well as UK energy policy and EU security. The delegation also received briefings on law enforcement and the modernisation of the House of Commons. It was interesting to understand the difference in the dynamics of our Senate and the reformed House of Lords. One of the most pleasing aspects of this reform was the adoption of a model not unlike ours for the UK’s main committee organisation. It plans to utilise the historic Westminster Hall and use a more open debate procedure where the person speaking is invited at times to yield to the opposition. This also leads to greater, more interesting and more open debate. Although we do this sparingly in our own second chamber, there is some merit in expanding the practice.

One of the briefings which appealed to me was that on direct learning. This is a system developed by the University for Industry and supported by the UK government to deliver high-quality learning to post-16-year-olds. It is aimed at those with limited skills and qualifications who are unlikely to participate in traditional forms of learning. It is aimed at enhancing their skills for employability, which flows on to the workforce and, through that workforce, the productivity of the nation. It delivers educational, trade and commercial courses innovatively through technology, notably the internet.

There are 2,000 online learning centres in the UK, including in Wales and Northern Ireland. Since it was launched in 2000, 1.3 million people have been enrolled in the system and it has trained around 200,000 people in small business. It offers 550 courses, including management, IT, languages, skills for lifestyle and a number of trade and quasi-trade subjects, such as driving forklifts. They may sound very simple things but, to people who do not have the opportunity to gain these skills, they become very important. It is something we could look at in this country.

Our visit to Poland was an eye-opener. There we saw the effects of the Second World War in visits to the Warsaw Uprising Museum and Auschwitz. Every Australian who goes to Europe should visit Auschwitz. It is an insight into man’s inhumanity to man. It is something we should etch in our psyches. It was also pleasing to look at the economy of Poland, its trade with Australia and its modernisation. Although we criticise it in Australia, Poland will be adopting the Australian health system. This visit led to our becoming aware that Australia is respected and that there are many opportunities for trade and social contact between our country and Poland.

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