Journalists of tomorrow quiz WA Premier on hot topics

Most media students need to wait until they get a job before they get to interview senior politicians. For ECU Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting students, the WA Premier, Roger Cook, came to them.

In a tradition dating back to the 1990s, and honoured by both sides of politics, the Premier of the day visits ECU Broadcasting students each year to answer their hard-hitting questions – and no topic is off-limits.

It’s expected the tradition will continue when the digital journalism and broadcasting programs move to ECU’s new, transformational city campus in 2026.

The industry-leading programs will join a suite of world-class multidisciplinary courses to be delivered in world-class professional film, television and broadcasting facilities at ECU City, which is currently under construction in the heart of Perth’s CBD.

Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting Course Coordinator, Andrea Burns, said this year’s visit – a quick-fire check-in before the Premier was due in Parliament – was an invaluable learning opportunity for the “journalists of tomorrow”.

The Leader of the WA Liberal Party Libby Mettam – a graduate of ECU’s Broadcasting program – has also worked with students this year.

“It breaks down a barrier and allows our students to practice asking the hard questions,” Ms Burns – herself an award-winning TV journalist and presenter, broadcaster, and media commentator – said.

“It teaches them how to forge those relationships because they are going to be calling on politicians to give them grabs, and to comment on issues.

 “The students understand that politicians have a role to do, but that they are people as well. The students also see that politicians understand that the media has a job to do.”

6PR and FOX Sports broadcaster Adam Papalia also teaches in the widely well-regarded program, of which he is also a graduate.

Mr Papalia said students benefited from opportunities that boosted their confidence when entering a workplace.

“The hands-on ability to practice what they are actually going to be doing in a workplace – and to go out and form industry connections – is a factor that makes ECU Broadcast students stand out,” he said.

Ms Burns added: “We're unashamedly practical about what we do. We try and create as realistic a workplace as we can. Students are working to proper deadlines and proper media calls with all the same pressures and time constraints.”

It is an approach the students welcome, along with requisite work placements.

Energised by the visit, the students said they enjoyed an opportunity to ask questions of the State’s leader, and to start building relationships with politicians, while putting their knowledge into practice.

The 11-super level, ECU City campus is a landmark project that will see more than 10,000 students and staff learning, working, engaging and performing in the heart of the city from semester one, 2026.

The $853 million project is part of the $1.66 billion Perth City Deal, a collaboration between the Australian Government, the Western Australian Government and ECU to deliver Perth’s first inner-city comprehensive university campus.

Once open, ECU City will bring fresh energy and a dynamic new home for Creative Industries, Business and Technology.