By Alexandra Falls
JINANE Bou-Assi has been the right-hand-woman of Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell since 2010, now the 23-year-old has taken up the job of a lifetime in the nation’s capital.
While most of Gen Y roll their eyes at the mention of politics, for Jinane the goings on of government has been a long-standing passion.
Jinane joined the Labor Party in year 11 at St Monica’s College in Epping.
She continued her interest at Monash University, where she studied arts with a major in journalism and politics.
Jinane said while she considered a career in reporting she realised that government was where her passion lay.
“Politics is where I want to stay,” she said.
After eight weeks of work experience with Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green, Jinane was offered a media advisor position on staff while she finished her degree.
Since August 2010 Jinane has been the media advisor for Rob Mitchell.
As a media advisor Jinane can be at a school opening one day, in Canberra for Parliament the next and assisting Rob in a last minute national television appearance the day after that.
The job means undefined hours, plenty of commitment and knowledge of everything from policy, research, speech writing and new media.
But Jinane said with the right mix of passion and commitment, success is possible.
“I think if you’re keen to do the hard yards in any line of work you’ll be fine,” she said.
Jinane said the best part of the job is seeing first hand the changes she helps Rob to create.
“It gives you a real sense of pride,” she said.
“Rob taught me that when you’re in office you’re working for the community and giving them a voice.”
Now, after more than three years in the business, Jinane will be heading to Canberra permanently to work as a media advisor for Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.
It will be a career and domestic change for the former Epping resident who said that she expects the job to be challenging but a great opportunity.
“I’ve always lived locally to where I work and been involved in the community I’m helping.
“But working with the Treasurer and the Department Minister doesn’t mean you’re not working for the community,” she said.
“The decisions made affect everyone at the end of the day.”
