A member of the House of Representatives had a busy day that included: Meeting with journalists in the morning, working out at the gym, having breakfast with colleagues to discuss news, attending the opening of Parliament and listening to a new bill, answering emails from constituents, making a speech in the House, taking calls from constituents and the media, having lunch and meetings with visitors, observing question time, gossiping with colleagues, more constituent work, voting in the House, attending a backbench committee meeting, having dinner with local government officials, writing a letter, and making a late night speech before returning to the motel exhausted.

1. A Day in the Life of a Member of The House of Representatives

2. What is the House of Representatives? The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of Parliament. It is the lower chamber, the upper is called the Senate. The House of Representatives is green, from the chairs to the walls to the floor. This is because green is the traditional colour in the British House of Commons, and we are following that tradition.

3. Dear Diary: 25/6/10 7.15am: Today, as I walked into Parliament House, I was met by a group of journalists asking me questions, so I make a brief statement 7.30am: I head to the gym, and watch the news as I work out.(Got to be BIG and STRONG) 8.15am: I had breakfast with a few friends from the same party and discussed the main political stories in the newspaper. I then have a brief meeting with my three office staff and plan the day. 8.55am: I head down the corridor to the house of Representatives and attend the opening of Parliament and prayers. 9.05am: I stay there to listen to a Minister introduce a new bill I am interested in. 9.30am: There are a lot of emails from people in the electorate, so I try to answer as many as possible. 10.30am: I make a 20 min speech in the house. 11.00am: A journalist from the press gallery rings me and asks about something in the speech. 11.25am: I get a phone call from someone in my electorate to complain that they haven't got their tax refund cheque. I ring the Treasurer's office and check with them. Then I ask my secretary to call the person back and let them know the result

4. 12.15pm: Short lunch in the staff canteen with a group of visitors from the electorate. 2.00pm: I sat in the house and watched question time. 3.15pm: I gossip with some parliamentary colleagues. We discuss some things said in question time. 4.00pm: I answer some more emails 4.37pm: I run down the corridor,(I was ALMOST late) and vote in the house. Then I wait until they count the vote. 5.00pm: I went to a meeting of the back bench committee. They want me to get changes written into the Free Trade Bill(More work) 6.30pm: I head down to dinner in the Members Dining Hall. I have a meeting with some local government councillors.(Nice Food!) 7.45pm: I write a letter to the Immigration Minister. I hope he replies 9.40pm: I present a short speech in the Adjournment Debate about Child Care. 10.00pm: I ring for a car and go back to my motel, only to collapse into bed.