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Writing Letters

Guidelines for writing to your politician

Introduction – Why Write Letters

We generally direct criticism of Australia’s refugee policy and the actions taken by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection at Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton.  However, every Federal politician is also responsible, unless they have actively and openly opposed the Federal Government’s position and actions.  The Australian Labor Party has supported all the recent legislation and has also breached international law by ignoring Australia’s obligations under several UN conventions.

Many Federal politicians do not know the facts about our refugee policy, and most have not confronted the moral issues it raises. Our politicians are fed information by their minders and the party political spin doctors.

So, the responsibility is on us to educate our politicians and force them to acknowledge the facts and confront the issues raised.  We can all do this by writing to them, asking very simple, focused questions and then pressing for an answer. Pressing them for an answer is critical. They will not want to answer and they will refer your letter to someone else, or respond with a form letter containing bureaucratic fog in the hope that you will go away.

Join the BMRSG Letter Writing Group

You can either write your own letter using the tips and information given below or you might like to join the BMRSG Letter Writing Group where you can brainstorm and share ideas for letters.  The Group meets monthly – usually the second Thursday of the month from 11am – 2pm.  For more information on the group contact Judy Reynolds on 0429 491 862 or email, juglenn@bigpond.com

Tips for writing to Politicians

 Contact our politicians and encourage them to act. Any contact is seen as an indicator of public opinion!

If you phone, you will talk to the office person whose job it is to record your views. Write out what you will say before you phone. One or two sentences are plenty. When it is election year it is worth adding that you will re-consider your vote on the basis of the party’s refugee policy.

Letters, either typed or hand written, are much more effective than emails and tend to elicit a response.

If you email, give your email a title – Begin by affirming, finish by asking. Try to be polite.

Use your own words, not someone else’s.

An original letter sent by one person is generally more effective than a form or template letter sent by dozens of people. If you feel your writing skills are not the best, remember that a letter written in your own words will carry much more weight than a letter that just repeats what some else said.

Always remain polite and courteous

but don’t be afraid to take a firm position. While your representative’s job is to represent you, you must remember that politicians and their staff are people too. Threats, hostile remarks and rude/offensive language are among the fastest ways to alienate people who could otherwise decide to support your position in light of rational and reasoned argument. Your representative could be in elected office for decades, and could be promoted to higher, more influential, office within their party. Avoid creating enemies.

Keep your letter brief

Please ask only two questions (see below for suggested content). As a normal rule letters should be no longer than one page and should be about one issue only. You need to be concise as Politicians receive many letters on many topics every day. Long or rambling letters are likely to be put aside and read on a quieter day and that day may never come. Also brief, concise letters makes evasion all the more evident and repeated refusal to answer a simple question carries its own story.

Handwritten letters often get more attention than word-processed letters and emails are often ignored.

You are likely to get a wordy or evasive answer. Read it carefully. If it does not actually answer your questions, write again pointing out politely that they have not answered the questions.

Repeat the question until you receive an answer.

If you get an answer, write thanking them for the response.

The Australian Refugee Action Network (ARAN) also has some useful information to assist with letter writing – visit their website here https://aran.net.au/resources/letter-writing/

Some issues you could address

How to address your letter

 The Australian Parliament website has guidelines on the correct forms of address for Members and Senators.

Click here for this information

Contact Details for Members and Senators

 The Australian Parliament website has the contact details for Members and Senators – click here for this information

Click here for this information