Contact your representatives
Contacting your politicians to tell them what is important to you, enables them to represent you (a member of their electorate) in the various decision making forums.
There are two main groups of politicians:
Your State / Territory representative - one person representing your area in your state or territory.
Your Local representatives - one or more councillors for your ward (sub area) in your local government area (LGA)
Federal government is usually only involved in funding for major national infrastructure (eg. Black Spot Projects and Roads to Recovery).
Step 1: Find your area / electorate and your representative
If you don’t already know these details:
Find your state or local electorate on the relevant Australian Electoral Council (AEC) website (links below).
Find the name of your member for that area
Step 2: Find your state / local politician’s contact details
Google your politician’s name to find their contact details.
Their email address and phone number may be listed on the state government or local council website.
Or they may have their own website and/or social media channels.
Step 3: Write to them about your concerns and the improvements you want in the area
Step 1 - Identification
Research shows people are more likely to grant a request from someone who they like, or someone who is like them. Start the letter by relating to the person about things you have in common with them.
Step 2 - The ask and justification
The challenge here is to put your ask in terms of how it will benefit them to do it. Think about why they would do it, or why they may care about the issue, or what they could gain?
Step 3 - The action
Ask a question that requires an answer. “Can you advise when a kerb ramp would be able to installed in this location?”
When/where/why/how…? Perhaps request a meeting to discuss further.
Download our 2 page tips with detailed suggestions.
Step 4 - Follow up
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again!
Tips
Be polite and constructive in tone
Copy in other allies or sub-targets (local member, councillor, newspaper, lobby group like NRMA), especially if you might be able to use their help to follow up after.
Give your street address, especially if it is in a marginal electorate (one that swings to different parties each election), but at least give your full name and email address.
