Sitting across the aisle from each other in Parliament this week, Helen Haines and Dan Tehan were voting on different sides during a division, but leaned across to continue their conversation on an issue of collaboration.
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The Indi MP and Education Minister had been mid-conversation when the bells rang for the vote, so he chose to sit at the back with her instead of his usual spot on the front bench.
"What we had was an issue that was in common and that was improving regional education, so we kept talking," Dr Haines said.
She had expressed concerns that only 11 per cent of people on the Border hold a university degree, compared to 44 per cent in Melbourne, and wanted to know when the federal government would implement recommendations from a review conducted by former Victoria premier Denis Napthine.
The next day she officially put the issue to Mr Tehan in question time.
"It's a really good way to work, I don't try to have gotcha moments as a general rule," Dr Haines said.
Mr Tehan committed to implement all the recommendations over time, including improving access to tertiary study options and financial support for regional students.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The public battle between the Coalition and independents has continued since this year's federal election, but Dr Haines said the exchange with Mr Tehan was an example of collaboration she had experienced during her first seven months in office.
The 2019 parliamentary sitting year came to an end on Thursday.
"Seven months in, I'm really enjoying it and I feel I can be a very strong voice for Indi," Dr Haines said.
Her last speech in Parliament on this week was to again call for a federal integrity commission, which she said was needed help restore trust in politicians.
This was followed by a meeting with Attorney-General Christian Porter, who said a 300-page draft exposure bill would be released.
Dr Haines said she wanted the bill to include the ability for politicians to be called before public hearings.
"What the government has been saying leading up to this is that there would be public hearings for others, for people like police, but not for politicians," she said.
"Personally I think that's unacceptable.
"We should be held to the level of account as everybody else."