Members of Parliament (MP) are there to represent you and your community. Many MPs set aside time to meet with their constituents, and this can be a good way to find out what your MP is like and where they stand on your issue. Ring and make an appointment. Take a friend or a group. Prepare your questions and what approaches might help you get answers.
Arranging and preparing to meet with an MP
- Don’t contact MPs until after the first two chaotic weeks of parliament.
- Ask to meet in the MPs’ electoral office as they have more time and won’t get called away.
- Ask to meet with an them when legislation is before the parliament or when your subject is very topical – part of an inquiry etc
- If you can’t get a meeting with an MP arrange one with their policy adviser as they are really smart and often know more than the MP
- Take two or 3 people with you preferably from the MPs electorate as you will be much more likely to get a meeting
- Nominate one person to take notes to remind everyone of the points
- Decide head speaker and who will talk about the different issues to be discussed
- Be prepared – know and outline both sides of the issue, focus on a solution
- Prioritise a list of questions and ask them to do something specific
- You may not get time to say it all so leave an executive summary – no more than 2 pages. Don’t include things they already know.
- Keep the MP on track
- Ask for a photo and post on social media
- Debrief straight after – what went well, what didn’t, what did you learn
- Follow up
- Give praise when they have done something good
- Build a relationship
How to find Federal MPs likely to support your cause
Find your MP and Senators and read their maiden and other speeches and check their voting records.
Check their website and social media to find common ground for personal starting points
Look for a topic in Parliamentary Friends Groups
Search for parliamentary committees and inquiries.