Following the NSW Shadow Cabinet meeting in the town of Parkes, members of the shadow cabinet paid impromptu visits to the telescope.

The Opposition leader, Mrs. Kerry Chikarovsky, was welcomed to the observatory by the Director Dr. John Reynolds, and by Dr. Lewis Ball, the Deputy Officer-in-charge. Present with Mrs. Chikarovsky was Mr. Alex Ferguson, the CEO of the IMC. Mrs. Chikarovsky inspected the new Visitors Centre with manager Mr. Rick Twardy, and Mr. Ray Walker. They were then taken on a guided tour of the facility and introduced to visiting astronomers, Dr. David Jauncey and Prof. Marcus Price.

Shadow Minister for Roads and Tourism, Mr. John Turner and Mr. Andrew Tink, the Shadow Minister for Police, also visited the observatory. They were escorted by Kelly Atkinson, the Tourism Co-ordinator for Parkes, and by Kate Gisborne, Research Assistant to John Turner. The visiting party was met at the Visitors Centre by Dr. John Reynolds and Dr. Lewis Ball. Later they were given a guided tour of the facility.