Information for primary and secondary students to help with school projects
Below are the answers to questions local students often ask about 
Bob Stensholt and the Burwood electorate, including links to more information about the Victorian Parliament and Government.

Who is Bob Stensholt?
Bob Stensholt is the Member of Parliament for the State Electorate of Burwood and part of the Brumby Labor Government.

What does Bob do?
As the local representative, Bob helps residents, schools, businesses and other groups with Victorian Government matters and works hard to improve the local area. He meets with residents and organisations; works with other ministers and government departments; attends local events and visits local schools and businesses. 

Which political party does Bob belong to?
Bob is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

When was Bob elected?
Bob was elected as the State Member for Burwood in December 1999 (by-election).

When do I enrol to vote?
If you’re an Australian citizen aged 18 years or over and you’ve lived at your current address for at least a month, then you need to enrol to vote. You can also apply for enrolment if you’re 17 years old and will be automatically enrolled when you turn 18. Download an Electoral Enrolment Form.

What does the State Government do?
There are three levels of government: Federal, State and Local.
The State (or Victorian) Government looks after things like public hospitals, state schools, main roads and freeways, public transport, police, ambulances and public housing. To find out if something is a State Government issue, visit the Victorian Government Homepage.

Links to more information
Parliament of Victoria
Lots of useful information for students. Including how Parliament works,
how laws are made, Members of Parliament, committees, history and
much more. You can even take a virtual tour of Parliament House.

Victorian Government
Main entry point for State Government information and services on the internet.

Office for Youth
Gateway to government for Victoria’s young people. Including an A to Z
Guide for Young People and the Victorian Youth Strategy.

Voting Is Compulsory For Persons Over 18
If you are 18 years old and over, an Australian Citizen and have lived for at least the last month at your present address, you must be registered to vote. Voting is compulsory in Australia and you may be fined if you are not enrolled.
 
If You Just Turned 17
If you are 17 years old, you can provisionally enrol so you can vote at elections held after you turn 18.
 
If You Have Recently Changed Addresses
If you are eligible to vote and not enrolled at your current address, you need to do something about it right away.
 
For More Information
You can get an enrolment/change of address form by contacting the office on 9808 1857 or pick one up from any post office. Or you can download the form from the Australian Electoral Commission website. For more detailed information about eligibility and enrolling to vote, visit the Australian Electoral Commission website. Or call the AEC on 13 23 26.