Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Staff

Choose your Ministerial/Parliamentary office or group of offices to assess for political literacy. Tick the column that most accurately describes your office or group of offices. Follow the instructions to find the percentage of political literacy potential being achieved.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand their value and role within the office/party, and their relationship with relevant Ministries and other government agencies.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the line of command within the party, from the Minister to relevant individuals within specific Government agencies.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the Minister’s political and other priorities.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the Minister’s relationship with the media (including key personalities) as well as the media’s interest in specific issues.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff read all media releases and public policy statements issued by the Minister and organisations within the sector.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand how laws are made and amended.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are aware of governing legislation and recent amendments, and relevant bills before Parliament.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are aware of amendments and policy developments within their area of responsibility.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Managers regularly update staff on policy and legislative changes which are underway, and explain the rationale for changes.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are trained to ask questions about the best practice for the delivery of advice or implementation of policy.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are aware of decision-making processes (formal and informal) within the party and/or government and/or cabinet, and how to influence those decisions.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Researchers and policy analysts are encouraged to work with their counterparts in other government agencies

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Seconded staff receive orientation training in policy development, implementation, and feedback processes.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Researchers and policy analysts regularly meet with sector organisations, and other key people, and actively seek feedback from them.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

There are mechanisms for communicating with relevant sector groups.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff have a good working relationship with the Minister.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Parliamentary resources

Someone is responsible for monitoring relevant parliamentary literature

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

The person responsible for monitoring parliamentary activity briefs the rest of the staff on a regular basis.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the parliamentary timetable.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff have access to reference resources which identify and explain parliamentary personalities and processes.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers know and understand for whom they are writing.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers understand the information and policy needs of the sector.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers understand the Minister’s expectations and information needs.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers are able to use a range of language styles to meet the needs of their target readers.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Realistic timeframes for submissions are observed.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers understand the need for well-researched choices backed up by an understanding of their political imperatives.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers actively engage in the submission planning process and understand the constraints and needs of submissioners.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers understand expectations and conflicting agendas at Party, Parliamentary, Government and Cabinet levels.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Writers understand the function, role and importance of the community and NGO sector.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Managerial feedback is always constructive.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the Parliamentarian’s/Minister’s political agenda and the timeframe for its achievement.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are aware of conflicting political agendas.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the potential effects of conflicting agendas.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand key local and community issues in light of specific national or global agendas, and the relevance of elements of international law.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are aware of key advocacy and activist organisations, and their political agendas, and actively communicate with them.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

There are effective channels for contributing to current or on-going campaigns.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

There are protocols for dealing with media questioning and probing and everyone is aware of these.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand campaign objectives and timeframes.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff are encouraged to build strong social bonds with stakeholders

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue

Staff understand the difference between leading, and contributing to, key campaigns.

Very true

Fairly true

Untrue