Independent School Parents - Guidelines on Writing to a Member of Parliament





members of parliament contact details Some Parliamentary Members you may like to contact are: Australian Parliament The Honourable Julia Gillard Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for Social Inclusion House of Representatives PO Box 6022 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 T: (02) 6277 4349 F: (02) 6277 8457 E: Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au The Honourable Kate Ellis Minister for Youth and Sports House of Representatives PO Box 6022 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 T: (02) 6277 4256 F: (02) 6277 8451 E: Kate.Ellis.MP@aph.gov.au The Honourable Tony Smith Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training House of Representatives PO Box 6022 Parliament House Camberra ACT 2600 T: (02) 6277 4284 F: (02) 6277 8439 E: Tony.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au The Honourable Pat Farmer Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport House of Representatives PO Box 6022 Parliament House Camberra ACT 2600 T: (02) 6277 2082 F: (02) 6277 8489 E: Pat.Farmer.MP@aph.gov.au Victorian Parliament The Honourable Bronwyn Pike Minister for Education 2 Treasury Place MELBOURNE VIC 3002 T: (03) 9637 3196 F: (03) 9637 2800 E:bronwyn.pike@parliament.vic.gov.au Ms Maxine Morand Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development and Minister for Women's Affairs PO Box 29 GLEN WAVERLEY VIC 3150 T: (03) 9561 0511 F: (03) 9561 5266 E:maxine.morand@parliament.vic.gov.au Mr Martin Dixon Shadow Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment Leader of the Opposition (Legislative Assembly) 853 Point Nepean Road Rosebud VIC 3939 T: (03) 5986 6661 F: (03) 5981 1360 E: martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au The Honourable John Brumby Premier Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Veterans' Affairs 1 Treasury Place MELBOURNE VIC 3002 T: (03) 9651 5000 F: (03) 9651 5054 E: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au The Honourable Rob Hulls Deputy Premier Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Racing 1 Treasury Place MELBOURNE VIC 3001 T: (03) 9651 1222 F: (03) 9651 1188 E: rob.hulls@parliament.vic.gov.au Mr Ted Baillieu Leader of the Opposition Level 4, 157 Spring Street MELBOURNE VIC 3002 T: (03) 9651-8512 F: (03) 9651-8426 E: ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au Mr Peter Ryan Leader of The Nationals PO Box 145 SALE VIC 3850 T: (03) 5144-1987 F: (03) 5144-7086 E: peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au	Guidelines on Writing to a member of parliament Write to the appropriate MP and not all of them. Address your letter using the MP’s correct name and title. • Letters to Members of the House of Representatives in Canberra should be addressed to: The Honourable (full formal name) OR Mr, Ms, Dr (full formal name) House of Representatives Parliament House PO Box 6022 CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Mr, Ms, Dr (last name only) • Letters to Senators, unless otherwise stated, should be addressed to: The Honourable (full formal name) OR Senator OR Mr, Ms, Dr (full formal name) The Department of the Senate Parliament House PO Box 6100 CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Mr, Ms, Dr (last name only) • Unless otherwise stated, letters to Victorian State Parliament Members, should be addressed to: The Honourable (full formal name) OR Mr, Ms, Dr (full formal name) Parliament of Victoria Parliament House EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 Dear Mr, Ms, Dr (last name only) To help you find an MP’s correct name and title visit the Parliament of Australia website: • House of Representatives • Senate Members • Victorian Parliament (both Houses). Click on ‘Members of Parliament’. Speakers of the House, Chairs of a Committee and Presidents of Councils should also be addressed appropriately. For example: • Mr/Madam Speaker • Mr Chairman • Madam Chairwoman • Mr/Madam President Introduce yourself as a concerned member of the public. Clearly state the purpose of your letter. For example: ‘I am writing to urge your support for/opposition to…’ OR ‘I am writing to ask you to support/ oppose…’ Focus on one issue only. Explain your concerns and how they impact the wider community and you as a voter. Support your personal views and experiences with facts. Don’t allow your letter to become longwinded. Stay focused and stick to your main points. Sample letters, postcard campaigns and emails are usually considered to be less effective than a handwritten or printed and signed letter. Personalise sample letters to portray your own views and experience, and always use your own words. Ask for a response to your letter. Let the MP know if you have met, voted for or assisted with their election campaign. Never be rude, condescending or confrontational. Always be polite and courteous. Don’t forget to include your name, address, contact telephone number and email address. Encourage others who feel strongly about independent schooling to write to their local MP as well. Encourage local MPs who support your position with thankyou letters. For further information contact Independent School Parents on: enquiries@independentschoolparents.com.au Guidelines on writing a letter to the editor • Guidelines on calling talkback radio shows • Back to What You Can Do