CANBERRA: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), together with 15 year 11 students from Galstaun College, travelled to the nation’s capital for the annual Junior Advocates Program — a two-day initiative designed to inspire the next generation of Armenian-Australian political leaders.
As part of the broader ANC-AU Outreach initiative, Junior Advocates took place on 27th & 28th October 2025, offering students an immersive experience into the workings of Australia’s political system and an insight into what a career in public service entails.
Guided by staff from the ANC-AU Office and Galstaun College, the program commenced at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, where students participated in the My Voice, My Choice segment. Each student drafted and delivered a 60-second Private Members Statement about an issue they were passionate about, ranging from the housing crisis and abortion rights to their Armenian identity — reenacting the responsibilities of elected representatives during a Parliamentary Sitting in the Senate Chamber.
Students then took part in the Day in the Life of a Staffer workshop, where they heard from Ms Alissa Foster, adviser to Mr Josh Burns MP, who provided an authoritative and candid account of working in a parliamentary office. The interactive session allowed students to ask questions about the realities, challenges, and rewards of political life.
The Junior Advocates were also privileged to watch Question Time from the wings of the House of Representatives, gaining a front-row view of Parliamentarians debating some of the nation’s most pressing issues.
The first day concluded with what many alumni regard as the highlight of the program — the Job Shadow segment. Students were paired with the staff of sitting members of Parliament, gaining a first-hand understanding of the responsibilities of political advisers. Their experiences ranged from attending parliamentary events to assisting in the drafting of speeches for Senators and even watching debates in the Federation Chamber.
On the second day, the Junior Advocates received an exclusive tour of the Parliament House Press Gallery, guided by Mr Dominic Giannini, reporter at the Australian Associated Press. Students were given a behind-the-scenes look at how journalists cover politics and shape public discourse. The visit included stops at media offices and television studios, where students engaged with veteran political reporters to learn about journalism’s critical role in democracy and what a career in the field might look like.
The ANC-AU would like to express its sincere appreciation to the offices of the following Parliamentarians for their indispensable involvement and support in the program including - Mr Josh Burns MP - Member for Macnamara; Mr David Smith MP - Member for Bean; Ms Allegra Spender MP - Member for Wentworth; Ms Zali Steggall MP - Member for Warringah; Mr Jerome Laxale MP - Member for Bennelong; Mr Gabriel Ng MP - Member for Menzies; Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah - Senator for Victoria; Senator Richard Dowling - Senator for Tasmania and Senator Charlotte Walker - Senator for South Australia.
ANC-AU Political Affairs Director, Sebastian Majarian said, “Despite the troubles our community is facing in our homeland, it is encouraging to see such a high level of engagement from our youth. By the end of the Junior Advocates program, you could see a real shift in the students, many actively considering pursuing a career in or around politics.”
“We hope that the ongoing success of this program will inspire a new generation of Armenian-Australians to step forward, engage in our nation’s democracy, and take their rightful place as leaders and decision-makers in the very building that shapes our country. Our community deserves to have its voice heard — loud, proud, and influential — at every level of Australian public life.”
