Nick Sherry is proud to represent Tasmania in the Senate.

Nick was elected to the Senate in 1990 and has played a vital role in ensuring a clear communication flow between his constituents, local community groups, the Parliament and Government agencies.

To represent Tasmania appropriately, Nick needs to be informed and understand the opinions, needs and problems of the people of Tasmania. Nick does this by:

• receiving letters from those who are seeking information or putting forward an opinion,
• visiting community groups and meeting with organisations,
• examining proposed new laws and regulations,
• studying Parliamentary and government reports, and
• keeping up to date with current affairs and public opinion by monitoring the media.

Nick has sat on a number of Senate and Joint Parliamentary Committees during his time in Parliament. He has held important party roles including Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and been a member of Labors tactics, strategy, economic and policy committees.

Nick sat on a number of Senate and Joint Parliamentary Committees during his time in Parliament. These include Senate Standing Committees on Scrutiny of Bills, Appropriations and Staffing, Privileges and Regulations and Ordinances.

Nick has also participated on the Senate Legislative and General Purpose Committees for Employment, Education and Training, Rural and Regional Affairs, Economic Legislation Committee and the Finance and Public Administration Committees.

From 1991 to 1993 Nick was a key member of, and for the majority of the time chaired, the Senate Select Committee on Superannuation. This committee made a number of recommendations on the performance of the superannuation industry.

The Senate is one of the two houses in Parliament. It consists of 76 Senators, twelve from each state and two from each of the territories. The Senate is elected by proportional representation on a state and territory basis so that its composition clearly reflects the voting pattern of the electors in those areas.

The Senate carries out its role through committees, of which there are eight. Most legislation which comes to the Senate is referred to a committee for public consultation. The committees travel all over Australian to hear what people think about Government proposals.

The Senate scrutinises Government legislation, administration, policy and expenditure.

Find out more about the Senate at the Australian Parliament House Website, www.aph.gov.au/senate

Further information on resources available to students and teachers can be found at the Parliamentary Education Office (PEO). The PEO has a range of resources available including information for school projects and fact sheets to lesson plans and information on school visits to Parliament House.

If your school is interested in visiting Parliament House in Canberra, please contact my office for more information, or visit the PEO website www.peo.gov.au