Episode 027 - Mr Tony Pasin MP

In this episode, we talk to Mr Tony Pasin MP, Member for Barker in South Australia, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse. Topics covered include: - The impact of primary and high school trips to Parliament House - The loneliness of Parliament House - The symbolism of areas of Parliament House - How engaged school children are in politics - How to represent such a large geographical area in Parliament House - How the needs of Regional Australians differ to those living in urban areas - The need to cope with change in a political career - How to fight the cynicism against politics - The cultural differences within Australian and how it becomes evident in Parliament House - Committee work in Parliament House and how it causes politicians to think more holistically - Ensuring the dissemination of information from Parliament doesn’t become lecturing - The idea behind the ‘Australian Experiment’ - How to further engage young people in the political agenda - The power of social media in politics About Mr Pasin: Growing up in Barker, Tony knows first-hand the challenges faced by local families. Tony was born, raised and educated in Barker. Growing up on the family farm, Tony has a deep respect for the demands of life on the land. After graduating with degrees in law and economics, he worked in Adelaide before being drawn home by his strong family and community ties. Tony operated his own legal practice in the South East, representing local farmers, residents and businesses. As a young father and family man, Tony know first-hand the real challenges faced by families in Barker, as they confront rising cost of living pressures and access to quality healthcare, jobs and education. Tony has always believed in standing up for his local community, which led him to serve as a Councillor with the City of Mount Gambier between 2003 and 2010 where he worked to deliver better services and facilities for local residents. Tony was first elected as the Federal Member for Barker in September 2013. Tony wants to use his skills as an advocate and his experience as an effective representative to ensure that the views of local communities throughout Barker are heard loud and clear in the Federal Parliament.