Address to the House of Representatives, Adjournment - Lachlan Macquarie Institute

Thursday 27 June 2024

I would like to acknowledge the work of the Lachlan Macquarie Institute. The institute is an organisation that raises up Christian leaders to engage in the political sphere. The institute offers three-month residential programs twice a year, in autumn and summer, that equip leaders in foundations of theology, history, political theories, law, government, and public policy. They also provide training in debating, public speaking, media training and negotiation training, which further provide fellows the opportunity to hone their practical skills. The LMI's mission statement is centred on the premise of wise Christian leadership and seeking to make decisions for the common good.

A current fellow in the autumn program is an intern in my office for the week, Mary Fernandez, who has come from Brisbane and, on top of the learnings above, is now experiencing a real winter. From Mary's perspective, this program has been a significantly transformative experience. She has gained an understanding of the importance of how Christianity intersects with the public sphere. She has received an invaluable opportunity, gaining a better understanding of the ideas that shape our world and what it means to be a wise leader. I thank her for joining and contributing to my team here at Parliament House this week, and I wish her well for her future endeavours.