At the Parliament of Western Australia, Hon. Shelley Payne, Member of the Legislative Council held a special event to mark Commonwealth Day with the Parliamentary Friends of the Commonwealth group, which she co-convenes with Hon. Steve Martin, MLC. The objectives of the group are to provide opportunities for Members of Parliament in Western Australia to establish and strengthen relationships with the 56 Commonwealth member countries to assist in delivering a common and sustainable future; to advocate for active engagement with the Western Australian-Commonwealth Business community to boost trade and economy; and to foster friendly social and cultural ties between Western Australia and Commonwealth partners. The event heard from guest speaker, Senator Hon. Sue Lines, who is the President of the Australian Senate, a CPA Executive Committee member for the CPA Australia Region and a local Federal Senator in Western Australia who highlighted the Commonwealth Day theme of youth engagement. The traditional Welcome to Country ceremony was performed by Dr Richard Walley and over half of the Commonwealth’s 56 countries were represented on the day.

In addition, the Western Australia Parliament hosted Deanmore Primary School students on a visit on Commonwealth Day where they learned more about the number of countries in the Commonwealth and what it means to be part of this Association during a special information session to mark the day. Each year, the Parliament welcomes hundreds of primary and secondary school students for tours of Parliament House to learn about democracy and the Commonwealth, as well as through their regional outreach program, Virtual Q&A sessions and online civics and citizenship workbooks.