Do the "ayes" have it? Parker & Partners again teamed with FUJIFILM to provide Finepix F50fd digital cameras to twelve federal politicians from all sides of politics and from across the nation. We asked them to capture the essence of their electorates in just one shot.

The resulting photos make up the 2008 Parker & Partners Australian Political Calendar. The winning photo - selected by a panel of leaders in Australian media - receives the Politzer Prize and graces the cover of this year's calendar. This year's Politzer Prize winner is Martin Ferguson MP, who captured the cultural diversity of his electorate of Batman in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Martin's artistic shot of a little girl and her grandmother framed perfectly using a park sculpture celebrates the emerging migrant communities within the area. Congratulations to Martin Ferguson.

Our judges included Lenore Taylor, National Affairs Writer at the Australian Financial Review, Malcolm Farr, Chief Political Reporter at the Daily Telegraph, Misha Schubert, Political Correspondent at The Age and Andrew Parker, Chairman of Parker & Partners. Parker & Partners would like to thank our twelve participating politicians for their contributions and creativity. We also extend our appreciation to our judges, our corporate partners FUJIFILM Australia and Art Direction Creative for the design and artwork.

“Families from 130 different ethnic backgrounds have made their home in the Canterbury and St George areas. At the Earlwood Village Festival, energetic young dancers of Greek heritage entertain local families with traditional Greek dancing.” The Hon Tony Burke MP Watson, NSW	“The city that never sleeps is the Gold Coast. The skyline is dominated by renowned high-rise apartment buildings including Q1, the world’s tallest residential building.” Mr Steven Ciobo MP Moncrieff, QLD	“World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world. In 2008, young people from around the world will make the pilgrimage to Sydney to worship together.” Senator the Hon Helen Coonan NSW	“Batman is proudly one of Australia’s most diverse electorates with more than 40 established and emerging migrant community groups living and working together. This photo was taken in All Nations Park, which is a public space that celebrates Batman’s cultural diversity.” The Hon Martin Ferguson, MP Batman, Vic
“My electorate is shaped by Sydney Harbour. This photo was taken from the old Quarantine Station on Balls Head. What always inspires me is the way that in the heart of our international city we have managed to preserve some of the original Harbour foreshore bush land within high density residential and commercial areas.” The Hon Joe Hockey MP North Sydney, NSW	“Practical and patriotic. The one thing that amazes but never surprises me about rural and regional communities is their resourcefulness. This shed is situated on the outskirts of a small village in NSW and I think represents the uniqueness and charm of our rural communities.” Senator Fiona Nash NSW	“Every year, we celebrate the arrival of a new season at the Willoughby Spring Fair. It is a celebration of cultural diversity and an acknowledgement of what can be achieved when all elements of a community work together to improve the environment and well being of its residents”. The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP Bradfield, NSW	“Sydney colours. The historic night carters’ lanes coloured by the vivid jacaranda and bougainvillea, now inner city thoroughfares of dynamic light and shadow.” Senator Marise Payne NSW
“The only stray in the village’. Members of Parliament are often asked to preside at dog shows. How would you choose the winner at the annual Surry Hills Festival dog show? The Surry Hills Festival is run by the Neighbourhood Centre. It is their one fundraising activity a year – and what a success it is.” The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP Sydney NSW	“This is Melbourne’s best Peking duck hanging in the window of Hong Kong BBQ in Footscray. Footscray is home to a diverse array of fantastic restaurants.” The Hon Nicola Roxon MP Gellibrand, Vic	“The Don in the City of Churches. It’s not just cricket tragics who appreciate the Don. For years, I walked past his house everyday on my way to school and some days I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the legend.” Senator Natasha Stott Despoja SA	“Pelicans and the Torrens River in Adelaide; Two quintessential South Australian icons”. Senator The Hon Penny Wong SA

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