Far North Queensland students to see Parliament at work

Far North Queensland school students will have the chance to witness democracy in action when State Parliament sits in Cairns in October.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said this would be the third time Parliament has convened in a regional centre and the Government would again subsidise travel costs for students to attend the parliamentary sittings.

“This is a rare opportunity for students from rural and remote parts of the Far North to watch their politicians in action,” Mr Welford said.

“It’s a chance for them to see the parliamentary process and gain a better understanding of how government works.

“The School Student Visits Subsidy Scheme will allow young people in rural and remote areas to participate in this historic event.

“The Government launched this scheme in 2002 to give Year 7 students in far flung areas of North Queensland the opportunity to visit the regional sitting of Parliament in Townsville.

“When Parliament sat in Rockhampton in 2005, it was extended to Year 6 to 10 students.

“This year, students in Years 6 to 12 who attend schools located outside 100 kilometres from Cairns, but within the Far North Queensland Education region or the Mount Isa state electorate, will be eligible for a subsidy.

“The scheme will make available subsidies of between $200 and $500 for each student depending on their location. A total of $75,000 has been allocated to support up to 191 students with travel and accommodation costs.”

Mr Welford said a more targeted approach had been adopted for this sitting, with eligible schools invited to send up to two students to the sitting. A list of eligible schools follows.

“This will give Queensland students from some of the state’s more remote schools the opportunity to witness and study Parliament at work, and it’s a excellent opportunity for school students to learn about the principles of democracy, citizenship and decision making, and the processes of democratic and representative Government,” he said.

Mr Welford said he expected thousands more students in the Far North Queensland area would also attend the Cairns parliamentary sitting scheduled for between 28 and 30 October.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000

Details of Zones and School Subsidy eligibility

Zone 1 - Students from schools which are located between a 100km and 170km radius from Cairns
17 Eligible Campuses
Cooktown State School
Rossville State School
Lakeland State School
Bloomfield River State School
Chillagoe State School
Mount Garnet State School
El Arish State School
Feluga State School
Tully State School
Tully State High School
Lower Tully State School
Murray River Upper State School
Mission Beach State School
Kennedy State School
Cardwell State School
St Clare's School (Tully)
St Rita's School (South Johnstone)

Zone 2 - Students from schools located over 170kms from Cairns and within the Far North Queensland Education Region
36 Eligible Campuses
Tagai State College – 17 campuses
Northern Peninsula Area State College
Western Cape College – Aurukun; Mapoon and Weipa
Pormpuraaw State School
Lockhart State School
Coen State School
Hopevale State School
Laura State School
Kowanyama State School
Karumba State School
Mount Surprise State School
Georgetown State School
Forsayth State School
Croydon State School
Burketown State School
Normanton State School
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School (Thursday Island and Hammond Island)

Zone 3 – Students from schools which are located in the Mount Isa state electorate and outside the Far North Queensland zone
26 Eligible Campuses
Barkly Highway State School
Boulia State School
Burketown State School
Camooweal State School
Cloncurry State School
Dajarra State School
Doomadgee State School
Happy Valley State School
Healy State School
Julia Creek State School
Karumba State School
Mornington Island State School
Mount Isa Central State School
Mount Isa School of the Air
Normanton State School
Spinifex State College - Mount Isa - Junior Campus
Spinifex State College - Mount Isa - Senior Campus
Sunset State School
Townview State School
Urandangi State School
Good Shepherd Catholic College (Mount Isa)
St Joseph's School (Cloncurry)
St Joseph's School (Mount Isa)
St Kieran's School (Mount Isa)
Mount Isa Christian College
Gulf Christian College