Lobbying - Visit your Local MP
Chilout would like you to make an appointment to see your local Member of Parliament in person. Our MPs are in parliament to represent us, and we need to be willing to explain to them our views and wishes. Let them know of your know your opposition to the mandatory detention of children and their families in Australian immigration detention centres.
Make sure you are aware of the facts and myths so you can counter misinformed opinions with accurate information. Check ChilOut's current campaigns and issues and decide what you will ask your MP to do. These guidelines, by Joan Staples, will help you prepare for your visit.
Download Guidelines: LobbyingPlainText.doc or LobbyingPlainText.pdf
You can also refer to the RAR page for Meeting with your Member of Parliament.
After you visit your MP
Please fill in our lobbying feedback form.Once you have visited your MP or other politician we need your feedback to help us to campaign effectively. We want to know which MP you have visited, what major issue(s) you raised and how your MP responded.
Contact your elected representatives
Use the links below to find contact details then make an appointment, send an email, phone their offices, send a fax to them and/or write to them by post.
You can use A Just Australia's on-line 6 step Letter Wizard to get started.
There is also a letter writing project to join on www.julianburnside.com:
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Forcing politicians to be honest about Australia’s refugee policy and human rights. Mr Howard and the Minister for Immigration, Senator Vanstone, take the praise and criticism for Australia’s refugee policy. However all Federal politicians are responsible for it, unless they actively oppose it. Many Federal politicians do not know the facts about our refugee policy, and most have not confronted the moral issues it raises.
The Parliament, Ministry and Shadow Ministry
All Members of the Australian House of Representatives
All Members of the Australian Senate
The Federal Ministry
The ALP Shadow Ministry
Important Government contacts
Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon John Howard MP
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7700
Fax: (02) 6273 4100
Email the Prime Minister
The Minister for Immigration, Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone
Suite MF 40
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7860
Fax: (02) 6273 4144
Email the Minister for Immigration
Important Labor contacts
Leader of the Opposition, The Hon Mark Latham MP
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4022
Fax: (02) 6277 8495
Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration, The Hon Laurie Ferguson MP
Electorate Office:
Location/Postal Address:
3rd Floor
10 Bridge Street
Granville NSW 2142
Tel: (02) 9637 4713
Fax: (02) 9682 6320
Democrats contacts
All Australian Democrats Senators
Greens contacts
Senator Bob Brown, Leader of the Australian Greens
9th Floor, Marine Board Building
1 Franklin Wharf
Hobart TAS 7000
Tel: (03) 6234 1633
Fax: (03) 6234 1577
The government on-line directory GOLD is another valuable source of information for contacting government departments as well as policticians.
State and Territory contacts
From time to time Australian state and territory politicians also express their opinions on detention of asylum seekers. State Governments can also help refugees in the community, in particular TPV holders. Follow the links for the relevant parliament, council or assembly.
Members of the Australian Capital Territory's Legislative Assembly
Members of the New South Wales Parliament
Members of the Northern Territory's Legislative Assembly
Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
Members of the South Australian Parliament
Members of the Tasmanian Legislative Council
Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
Members of the Victorian Legislative Council
Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Members of the Western Australian Legislative Council
Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly