Action Sheet 4

Grass Roots Democracy in Action - Seeking Support of Your Local Member of Parliament

(For Approaches to both Federal and State Members of Parliament)

Speaking as a constituent to your local Member of Parliament is the essence of democracy.
It is an extremely effective and relatively simple means of getting your concerns across, and evidence from other campaigns, both in Australia and overseas, suggests that it really works. Putting direct questions to MPs to elicit their views, as well as asking them to act in Parliament and in the local community, can help create a ground-swell in the parliament and/or party room. Local action also helps to shape opinion and action by government. In effect, you are encouraging Parliamentarians to do one of their most important jobs - that of listening and responding to the interests and concerns of the people they represent.

What to ask your MP to do: you need to be absolutely clear about what you want MPs to do. We suggest the following requests that could be put to your member of parliament; you may choose those most appropriate for your own MP. Not all MPs will undertake them all, but try to get a commitment on some.

For detailed recommendations, check out the websites listed in this kit, but in general, ask them to:

• Encourage local councils in their electorate to consult local communities to develop local plans of action against racism (see action sheet 3)
• Write personally to the Prime Minister, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and to the Minister for Immigration and Aboriginal and Multicultural Affairs, requesting them to note our concerns regarding racism and its prevalence, and asking that greater action be taken to eradicate racism in our society.
• Write to or question their own party leaders and front bench on the action they are prepared to take in protecting human rights and promoting the issues raised by WCAR.
• Speak out in adjournment debates and/or ask parliamentary questions with or without notice on any of the above. Please ask for Hansard copies of any contributions, as you may be able to publicise a favourable intervention. (Note: Although you should not make this too obvious, always remember that most MPs will be keen for any positive publicity.).
• Take action to promote an anti-racism message in your electorate, through their newsletter, and through promoting the holding of anti-racism meetings.

Even if they do not support you, being forced to justify their position in the face of your polite but firm concern is valuable in itself and a fundamental part of the democratic process.

Local Members of the House of Representatives should first be written to by local groups and a face-to-face meeting set up. This is very important. Advice from MPs themselves is that meetings are much more effective in the long run.

* Check in the phone book if you are unsure of your MP's contact details. Also, let other community groups have copies of letters and feedback from meetings etc. This is vital, as they can use it to pressure their own MPs.

Lobbying by letter: suggested points to be made in your letter to your local MP. Remember these are suggestions only - please re-word them to suit your group and your MP:

• As a local community group, you are concerned at the current situation regarding racism and racial discrimination, and would like to make your concerns known to your MP.
• Ask to have your concerns raised with the relevant Ministers (and within your MP's own party as appropriate).
• Ask that your MP communicates to all her/his constituents her/his support for the World Conference
• Ask that your MP raises your concerns during adjournment or other relevant parliamentary debates as well as asking parliamentary questions.
• Ask for an opportunity to discuss these questions further with your MP, and arrange a suitable time for a meeting.

OTHER TIPS: Make the letter personal - use full names, tell them who you are, sign letters by hand. Keep it short - short sentences, no more details than necessary. Make it inviting to the eyes - attractive lay-out, left-aligned rather than justified paragraphs, no more than five lines a paragraph and use bullet points to attract the eye. Explain - be careful not to assume knowledge and use easy to understand language. Use a friendly tone - offensive remarks will send the letter into the rubbish bin. Be assertive - friendly but firm - refer to the fact that as your MP their job is to represent you. Ask for activity - appeal to their readiness to help, give recommendations, tell them what you see as the next "step" and suggest ways of providing more information/calls/visits.

Lobbying by meetings: holding a meeting is one of the central activities in all types of lobbying, and is the basic essence of grassroots democracy. A typical meeting with government representatives lasts no more than one hour. To make this meeting effective, you should:

• prepare thoroughly before the meeting;
• choose a delegation of 2-3 people and ensure they are thoroughly briefed;
• make sure your goals are clear throughout the meeting;
• take appropriate actions to follow-up the meeting.

OTHER TIPS: know your MP - have they met with community groups before? On what issue?What was the outcome? Has he/she ever spoken publicly/via the media about human rights, and racism issues? Have a clear, achievable goal. Decide who is going to say what. Plan for different kinds of response. Dress appropriately - showing knowledge of dress codes increases trust. Keep a positive atmosphere - actively listen and show interest in and understanding of their point of view. State your case precisely. Make your request for help explicit. Keep the discussion on track - summarize progress, dare to interrupt and be interrupted. Deal confidently with questions. Stick to your allocated time. Make sure you do not ask people to do what they are unable to - it may lead to unnecessary frustration on both sides. Check what you have agreed before leaving. Write a letter thanking the MP for the meeting, also mentioning the agreed outcomes. Call again after a two or three week interval, and ask if he/she has taken the action he/she agreed to.

Media work meeting with your MP may be a great opportunity for local media work. You may decide to inform the media that you intend to meet him/her and to make public the concerns about racism that you wish to raise with them. Or you may judge that it is better to wait until after the meeting itself. Whatever, please use any opportunity to publicise your community delegations.

The listed websites may have greater details on what community groups are calling on the government to do.

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This kit is supported by the following organisations (in alphabetical order) in April 2001: Amnesty International Australia, Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, Coalition Against Racism WA, Human Rights Council of Australia Inc., Quaker Service Australia, The Religious Society of Friends in Australia (Quakers),Western Australians for Racial Equality, WA Social Justice Commission - Uniting Church in Australia.