Jess’ first look inside a political office was in 2020 when she completed an internship as part of her Master of International Development. She spent twelve days over a trimester working out of the Minister for Pacific’s office learning how to apply her academic expertise in a political setting.

As a new Senator, she is launching a structured program for students to get experience inside a political office and develop their policy skills.

To apply for the Internship Program applicants must

1. Be a resident of New South Wales;
2. Be nominated by a member of the Liberal Party;
3. Satisfy one of the following criteria:
   • Enrolled (or accepted) in a university or vocational course; or
   • Enlisted or formerly enlisted in the Australian Defence Force; or
   • Currently caring for children, and planning to return to the workforce; or
   • Has established a career in another field and is considering a move to politics.

Details of the program will be supplied to successful applicants, but there will be three phases to the program:

Phase One will be based in the community. Interns will undertake community based activities and service that align with the policy area they are interested in. Good policy is good for people, this will set you up for phase two.

Phase Two will be undertaken at the Electorate Office with the option to conduct part of the research from home. You will develop and test policy ideas leading to the development of a policy brief.

Phase Three will be undertaken at Parliament House in Canberra. You will have the opportunity to meet with various stakeholders and deliver your policy brief. You never know – it might just become legislation. This component will be subject to availability, with preference given to those who have performed diligently in earlier phases, and have developed a sound policy brief for presentation.

Interns will not be licking stamps and they will not be getting coffees. The Internship Program is a policy focused project-based learning program. Interns will identify an area of interest, and will be taken through the policy development process including:

1. Community engagement
2. Policy analysis and research;
3. Stakeholder engagement;
4. Legislative requirements;
5. Policy costing;
6. Development of a policy brief (your body of work); and
7. Leadership review.

Intake into the Internship Program is on a rolling basis as availability arises. There is flexibility around timings and location.

The application is on this page. You will need to upload your resume and a cover letter.