PR? in Politics

Public relations has a very broad meaning and can be used throughout organisations and there doesn't need to be a specific person with the title of public relations officer. Senator's and Members of Parliament have a demanding role to communicate their views and achievements, therefore as I realised in my placement, there is a need for specified roles to organise an MP or Senator.

Government's growth has stimulated the need for increased public relations support and counsel for government and for organisations needing to deal with local, state and federal government. Political communication is persuasive communication that comes from politicians explicitly or implicitly striving for political image and electoral points.

During my time at the WA Greens party I realised that there is not just one person doing all the media and organising for one Federal Senator. They have a campaign and communications officer, and media advisor, an energy and climate change campaigner, a policy officer and an electorate officer as well as many volunteers working on a specific tasks and aspects of the Senator's portfolio. The Greens are willing and inviting to quite a few volunteers who research on a particular issue or part of the portfolio. It was great so see that so much work is involved for a Federal Senator as his job is very demanding and staff members need to be on call 24/7 especially his media advisor.