Webinar and panel discussion: All politics is local – how do our MPs engage in constituency work and connection-building?

In this Australasian Study of Parliament Group webinar, Dr. Pandanus Petter (Australian National University) will discuss his recent research on parliamentarians’ engagement with their electorates. Dr. Petter found evidence of increased time and resources devoted by MPs to constituency work in the areas of policy building, service, and connection with citizens. He explores the implications of these findings for thinking about how politicians relate to the wider society, suggesting that political science may need to catch up with what is happening ‘on the ground’, where MPs are striving to connect constituents to parliament.

Following an overview from Dr. Petter, join us for a discussion with distinguished federal MPs and ACT MLAs, including: Ms Kate Chaney MP Mr Rowan Ramsey MP Ms Marion Scrymgour MP Ms Joy Burch MLA, Speaker, ACT Legislative Assembly Ms Nicole Lawder MLA

Presenter

Dr. Pandanus Petter is a distinguished Research Fellow at the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University (ANU). With a robust background in political science and international affairs, Dr. Petter has contributed extensively to the understanding of global political dynamics. His research focuses on political participation, public policy analysis and political sociology, and he has published numerous articles in leading academic journals. Dr. Petter is known for his insightful analysis and engaging presentations, making complex political issues accessible to a broad audience.

Booking

This is a free event open to the public (online). If you wish to participate, please register here. After registering you will be sent a calendar invite. A recording will be made available on the Parliamentary Library website. For further information, or if you have any accessibility requirements, contact nicholas.cumming@aph.gov.au or on 02 6277 2610.

APLA Conference 2025 – registration and call for papers

The Agile Parliament: resilience, adaptation and innovation / Pāremata, he waewae kai pakiaka: manawaroa, manawa urutau, ihu atamai. 

The amount of information that is readily available to our clients is vast and the technology through which it can be accessed, analysed and presented continues to develop at pace. This conference, we invite you to discuss how your libraries and research services adapt to meet the everchanging needs of your users. 

  • How do you monitor and meet current needs? 
  • How do you optimise established processes? 
  • How do you anticipate and advocate for the future? 

Call for papers 

Please send applications to brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz with the presenter’s name, contact details and topic by Friday 1 November 2024. 

Schedule 

  • Day 1 – The APLA Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 January. This is usually for Parliamentary Librarians or their delegates. There will be other activities (workshops, tours, sessions, and visits) for other attendees on this day. 
  • Days 2 and 3 – APLA 2025, with all attendees, Thursday 23 – Friday 24 January. The full schedule will be confirmed in November, after the Call For Papers is complete. 

Registration

The registration cost per person will be $AUD350. This will cover the following:  

  • Attendance at APLA 2025  
  • Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and tea in the conference rooms 
  • Conference dinner on Thursday night 
  • Registration pack 
  • Offsite event 

The registration fee does not include: 

  • Accommodation (see below) 
  • Transport, including airport transfers 

To register, email brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz by Friday 1 November 2024 with the details below. We will invoice you for the registration fees. 

  • Name(s) and role(s) of attendees 
  • Days attendee(s) are attending – Wed/Thu/Fri  
  • Dietary needs 
  • Other needs or requirements (for example, physical access or equipment)  

Virtual attendance

We realise not everyone can make it this far, so there will be some options to attend sessions virtually – this won’t be possible with all sessions or workshops. 

Scholarships

We will be offering support for two delegates from Pacific Parliaments to attend the conference. These positions will be funded by Tai a Kiwa: Stronger Pacific Parliaments. This will be a fantastic opportunity to learn and share with our Pacific colleagues. 

Accommodation options 

We have arranged some discount options for the conference. Contact brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz for discount links.

Discounted hotels 

Other nearby hotels

Key dates

  • 01/11/2024: Final day – call for papers 
  • 01/11/2024: Final day – registrations 
  • 22/01/2025: APLA AGM 
  • 23/01/2025 – 24/01/2025 – APLA Conference 

Australia and democracy in the Pacific Islands

Wednesday 11 September 2024, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (AEST)
Parliament House Theatre, Parliament House and live streamed

The Pacific is a strongly democratic region. Most Pacific countries have unbroken track records of scheduled elections and peaceful power transfers. Despite this, there are challenges to democratic resilience in the region, including the protection of political rights and civil liberties, issues of electoral integrity, and under-representation of women and marginalised groups.

Australia has asserted the importance of promoting shared democratic values in its foreign policy and invested significantly in democracy in the Pacific. In the Pacific region’s complex and competitive geostrategic environment, democratic norms and practices may increasingly come under pressure.

This seminar will examine how democracy manifests in the region and explore the challenges and opportunities of democracy support.

Book Online

Presenter: 
Dr Kerryn Baker is a political scientist and Fellow in the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University. Kerryn’s publications include issues on political participation, elections and electoral reform, and women’s political representation. She is the author of Pacific Women in Politics: Gender Quota Campaigns in the Pacific Islands (University of Hawai’i Press, 2019), and the winner of the Carole Pateman Gender and Politics Book Prize, 2021.

This free lecture will be held in the in the Parliament House Theatre, Parliament House. Senators, Members, their staff and the public are welcome to attend in person.

This lecture will also be live streamed and recorded. You can access the live stream on the day at Watch, Read, Listen and the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal on Youtube.

For further information, or if you have any accessibility requirements, call or email Nicholas Cumming on 02 6277 2610.

International Librarians Network: new round begins March 2015

Want to build your professional network and learn about librarianship around the world?  Love the idea of professional travel but just don’t have the budget?

The next round of the International Librarians Network (ILN) will commence in March 2015.

The ILN peer mentoring program is a facilitated program aimed at helping librarians develop international networks.  Having connected over 1500 librarians from 103 countries, participating in the ILN brings wider professional awareness, an international perspective to your work, new ideas and increased professional confidence.

Applications for the next round of partnerships will open in January 2015 and close at midnight on Sunday 15th February 2015. To apply online go to http://interlibnet.org/participate-in-the-iln-2/

The ILN is open to anyone working in the library and information industry around the world.  The program remains free and the only requirements to participate are an internet connection, fluent English skills, an hour each week and a desire to build professional connections and learn from colleagues.

For further information contact Jenny Mustey, ILN Australian Country Coordinator at australia.ilnetwork@gmail.com.

Parliamentary research services in Central Europe and the West Balkans

Parliamentary libraries and research services around the world play an important role in supporting the work of legislatures. However, the capacity of such services in parliaments across the world varies greatly; and for this reason they are increasingly a focus of programs to support and strengthen democratic institutions.

A recent report released in June this year by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs provides an overview of the development of parliamentary research services in Central Europe and the West Balkans. Further information on the report, including good practice recommendations for legislative research services, can be found on the APLAP website.

HungarianParliamentBuilding
The Hungarian Parliament

Call for Nominations for President-Elect and Members of the Governing Board of IFLA

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced its call for Nominations for President-Elect and Members of its Governing Board. The Governing Board is responsible for setting IFLA’s strategic and professional direction. The President Elect serves for two years in this role, and then holds the position of President for two years. Information about the roles and expectations of the President Elect and Board members, together with processes for nomination can be found here.

The deadline for nominations is 11 February 2015.

International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) have released a framework to help improve and encourage effective public sector governance. The Framework encourages better service delivery and accountability in the public sector through improved decision making and the efficient use of resources. The Framework is available from IFAC’s website.

Keeping Up with Copyright newsletter

The Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) is Australia’s peak body representing copyright users and innovators in a digital world. Members include IT companies, cultural institutions, schools, universities, libraries, consumer groups and individuals.

Interested individuals can join the ADA mailing list to receive the Keeping Up with Copyright newsletter, which contains information about upcoming events and activities.

Digitised newspapers from the National Library

The National Library of Australia makes Australian newspapers freely available online through Trove as part of the Australian Newspaper Digitisation Program.

The Digitised newspapers home page features a map of Australia. Clicking on a particular state or territory shows:

  • the titles available for that region, and
  • links to Web Feeds of newly added titles and issues for the region.

 

Screencap of Digitised newspapers homepage
Screencap of Digitised newspapers homepage from the National Library of Australia