21 YEARS COVERING POLITICS: LESSONS FROM THE PARLIAMENT AND THE PROMISING ROLE OF YOUTH IN AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

“I have to do my job fairly, and without favours. I can’t be too nice. I can’t be too frightened to tackle something strongly.”

For the International Day of Parliamentarism, Grace Pearson in conversation with Joe Spagnolo, discusses the changing demographic of Australian parliaments, the importance of journalism and the promising role of youth in Australian politics. Joe Spagnolo is the political editor of The Sunday Times in Western Australia. This piece touches on the increasing importance of social media in election campaigns, and challenges faced by young persons hoping to be elected to parliament. Joe shares some advice he’s received over his career, and imparts some of his own.