PICTURED: NEGS students, school staff Emma Pracey and Andrew Paige with Mr Joyce at Parliament House, Canberra.

Students from New England Girls School (NEGS) in Armidale were treated to a special meeting with their local Federal member in Canberra.

More than a dozen, year 5-6 level students from NEGS St John’s Junior School were greeted by Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, during their visit to Parliament House.

Mr Joyce spoke about the role democracy plays in government, the political processes involved and how he represents communities, businesses and households from their local New England electorate in Parliament.

Year 5 students Louisa Duarte and Felicity Chapman were thrilled to meet Mr Joyce and learn about Australian politics. They even flagged interest in a political career themselves.

The school’s visit to Parliament House formed part of a wider education tour of the nation’s capital which included trips to the National Art Gallery, Questacon and the Australian War Memorial.

The tour itinerary featured a strong focused on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

(ENDS)