How to engage with your MPs

Make your MP work for you! Your MP is your connection to Canberra and represents you there, so get them working on the issues you care about. You don’t have to be an expert. The simple fact that you care is a good enough reason to contact a politician. It’s important for them to know what we think and what we want them to do on climate issues – and they don’t know unless we tell them! 

This page is designed to give you some encouragement and guidance to get you started by writing to your MP. There are more resources to help you with calling or visiting your MP, and taking other actions on the following page.

 

More ways to engage with your MPs

Why write?

The word from insiders in MPs’ offices is that emails and letters are taken very seriously – and counted! For everyone who takes the time to raise an issue with them, they know there are many more people who feel the same way. If they receive lots of correspondence on a particular issue, it will be discussed in policy meetings and can have an effect on decision-making.

MPs are supposed to respond to all communications from their constituents, but they are much more likely to sit up and take notice of a personal email or letter as it shows their constituent cares enough to take the time. 

You don’t have to be an expert. Keep it short (a page or less) and personal. Write what you feel. Explain why the issue matters to you and, most importantly, what you want your MP to do about it.

If you'd like to have some company while you're writing, join one of our MPEGs (MP Engagement Groups)! And to receive regular tips, issue briefings and event information to help you engage with your MPs subscribe to our monthly MPEG News Update 

 

Here are some examples, tips and issues to get you started!

We’ve prepared some issue briefings on current important climate issues for you each briefing has a summary and background notes with suggested questions to ask, who to send it to and an email example of how to do it. Choose an issue that appeals to you, click on the photo, and go for it! 

Then, when your MP replies (or doesn't!), follow up and keep them accountable – check out the tips in the speech bubbles below.

When you've written or spoken to your MP, we'd love to know. We're heartened that so many people and organisations use Climate for Change's issue briefings and other resources. However, we need more funding to keep up the work. To apply for grants its crucial that we can demonstrate our impact. So, please, whenever you contact or engage with an MP (email, meeting or call) log your contact here:

Log your contact with elected reps here!

Energy transition

 

 

 

Demand an end to seismic blasting and damage to ocean ecology

Ask the federal government to stop Middle Arm and Beetaloo fracking

Stop Viva’s proposed floating gas terminal in Corio Bay

Demand a stop to gas drilling near the 12 Apostles

Carbon dumping diverts funding from real emissions reduction

Ask the federal government to stop mining coal and gas now

Demand an end to government subsidies for fossil fuels

Gas cooking, heating and hot water is cooking the planet

Say NO to the Narrabri gas project, and a ‘gas-fired’ recovery

Demand investment in clean green hydrogen, not blue or brown

Email us at [email protected]

 

Climate and environment

 

 

 

Demand the new act is strengthened and includes a climate trigger

Demand protection for our Great Barrier Reef

Tighten land clearing legislation across Australia

Demand governments preserve wildlife habitat

Demand an end to native deforestation

Ask government to support better agricultural practices 

 

 

 

 

Climate justice

 

 

 

Updated: enshrine a duty of care for future generations

Our food security is at threat from global warming

Human Rights claim due to Australian inaction on climate

 

Ask governments to back BZE's Million Jobs plan

Ask for an active response to the Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan 

 

 

Democracy and governance

 

 

 

 

Advocate to strengthen lobbying laws to increase transparency & accountability

Repeal draconian anti-protest laws in most states

Stop the influence of the fossil fuel industry on politics

Ask your council to set net zero targets

Demand Government releases this “too hot to handle” report

Make an appointment to meet with your MP

Congratulate and connect with your new or re-elected MP

Issues of democracy and parliament influencing climate outcomes

Submissions and briefs

 

 

 

Links to climate-related projects accepting public submissions 

Support an online campaign or petition

                                                             

 

 

Log your contact with elected reps here!

 

More helps and tips

Email template

Write one from scratch

Writing tips

General guidelines

Get published

Write a letter to the editor

Following up

My MP has replied!

No response

It's been a month!
         

 


Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, whose sovereignty was never ceded. We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples around the world are at the forefront of climate change, both in experiencing its effects and leading solutions for change. We pay our sincerest respects to all Elders, past and present.