Lucy
Home State
New South Wales
University
University of Sydney
Qualifications
Bachelor of Economics/Social Sciences (Hons I)
Background
During my first ever trip to Canberra in Year 6 as a somewhat bewildered 11-year-old, I realised two things; firstly, that my Mum had been right, and that I really should have packed an extra pair of socks. Secondly, and arguably more significantly, I realised that I was interested in politics. With my face pressed against the bus window, I looked out at Parliament House and decided that someday, I'd like to be somehow involved with the Australian political system.
Following on from this realisation, I completed a Bachelor of Economics/Social Science after leaving school. I ended my tertiary study in 2007, after completing my thesis on how Australian political satire portrays the Australian political and institutional system. I have always had a passion for anything satirical (growing up as a child of the Fast Forward/Full Frontal and John Clarke/Bryan Dawe generation) or political so it made perfect sense to me to combine my two main interests into a thesis topic. While studying my degree, I completed undergraduate subjects in government and international relations, political economy and performance studies.
During my last two years at the University of Sydney, I began working with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), first as a transcriber and web publisher and later as broadcast production officer for Radio Current Affairs. In this production position I was responsible for assisting with research and production for ABC Radio's AM, The World Today and PM programs, aired Monday to Friday on Radio National and ABC Local Radio. Working in the fast-paced and frenetic atmosphere of the newsroom allowed me to develop an understanding of how news and current affairs issues are disseminated and an appreciation of the immediacy of the radio genre. Working closely with presenters, journalists and producers with many years experience in the media gave me a unique insight into broadcasting and how the media has distended over time.
This position fostered my interest in public communications, and through interactions with government representatives and stakeholders, I developed a keen interest in how public affairs and issues are managed from a governmental perspective. Based on this interest in issues management and public communications, along with my personal interest in issues relating chiefly to arts, culture, heritage and the environment, I applied for the graduate program with DEWHA.
Placements
First Placement
International Heritage and Policy Branch/ International Projects Section - Heritage Division
The International Projects Section manages the Australian Government implementation of the Joint Understanding between Papua New Guinea and Australia on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges. The Joint Understanding commits Australia to assisting PNG to improve elements of management of the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges and to support the development of communities along the Kokoda Track corridor, along with improving the human capacity of key PNG Government agencies. The section is also responsible for assisting with management of the East Rennell World Heritage Area in the Solomon Islands.
My roles in this section included:
- Secretariat support for the Interdepartmental Committee on Kokoda
- Researching small-scale tourism projects in the Asia-Pacific region in order to develop an issues paper to inform the development of PNG/Kokoda tourism strategy
- Drafting of ministerial correspondence/briefings
- Involvement in the formulation of a PNG - Australia communications strategy
- Supporting the section with work on the Kokoda Development Program (KDP) and Kokoda Track Authority (KTA)
Second Placement
Appliance Energy Efficiency Branch/ GEMS Legislation Taskforce - Renewables and Energy Efficiency Division (REED)
The GEMS Legislation Taskforce is responsible for implementing a key part of the Governments 2007 Solar Schools - Solar Homes election commitment, through development of national legislation for Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS).
My roles in this section included:
- Researching and writing a discussion paper that analysed energy efficiency legislation in Australia and New Zealand
- Writing a discussion paper on possible arrangements for GEMS labelling and mandatory advertising requirements
- Attending training from the Office of Best Practice Regulation and from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel
- Attending meetings with stakeholders from industry and state government
Third Placement
Strategic Advice Branch/ Economics and Strategic Policy Section (Graduate Think Tank) - Policy Coordination Division (PCD)
The Economics and Strategic Policy Section (ESP) provides advice and support to the Ministers and Executive, assists with decision making processes, and provides advice and briefings to portfolio line areas on economics and strategic policy issues. ESP also provides economics and strategic planning and policy advice across the Portfolio and to the senior executive.
My placement in this section was somewhat unique - I was one-third of a graduate 'think tank' working on the Secretary's Adaptation Unit, a team working on a climate change adaptation strategy for the department. This was the first time that three graduates had ever worked together in on rotation.
My roles in this section included:
- Drafting the Portfolio Adaptation Strategy
- Attending meetings with division heads and the senior executive
- Developing a communications strategy for the Adaptation Strategy
- Providing secretariat support to the Adaptation Strategy Committee
- Providing support for other areas of the section (including the economics team)
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'