Tammy
Home State
New South Wales
University
University of Newcastle
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (hons)
Bachelor of Law (hons)
Background
Whilst studying at Newcastle University I decided to take my time getting my degree/s. This involved me taking a 'one year on one year off' approach to study, which gave me time to do a little bit of travel and work.
Placements
First Placement
Corporate Strategies Division - People Management Branch
My first rotation was in the remuneration and conditions section with the team's primary focus the negotiation of the department's new Collective Agreement.
My roles in this rotation were diverse and interesting. I spent significant time studying other institutions' workplace instruments and reporting on these. I also prepared financial documents, provided secretariat support, liaised with union and staff representatives and attended bargaining committee meetings.
The highlights of this rotation were sitting as a member on the Australia Antarctic Division Working Group and the Remote Localities Working Group. Through this participation I was able to travel to Tasmania and Darwin, meet a range of extremely interesting people and gain an insight into the challenges that face employees in the non-conventional, outdoor offices.
Second Placement
Marine Division - Environmental Biosecurity Section
During my second placement I worked independently to develop a discussion paper on the different approaches, both legislative and policy based, taken to threat abatement in the different Australian jurisdictions. The paper also addressed the ways a cooperative based approach could be used to avoid duplication. I also worked on ministerial correspondence, facts sheets, contracts and participated in working group meetings.
Third and Final Placement
Approvals and Wildlife Division - Legislation Policy Section
As soon as I entered this section I knew I had found my home. The team was small but very supportive and the work was so varied and constant. My tasks as a graduate included, advising on training programs, providing written and oral advice, writing options papers on legislative amendments, writing briefs to the Minister, ministerial correspondence, actioning amendments to the EPBC Regulations, reviewing statements of reasons, engaging with stakeholders and other miscellaneous legal interpretation task.
I negotiated my final placement with the Legislation Policy Section about half way through my rotation and have continued to work on a wide variety of tasks.
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'