As a not for profit, community based or charitable organisation, meeting your Member of Parliament (MP) can have significant benefits but often getting the appointment can be difficult.

Being politely persistent may be necessary but if you have an important reason for meeting the MP then don’t give up and just keep trying.

The difficulty in getting the meeting is that the MP is often extremely busy, with many appointments booked well ahead of time, and no a federal MP can afford to be away for long periods of time while parliament is sitting.

It’s important to remember that often the first person you come into contact with will be member of staff who will have a lot of influence over whether and when the meeting will occur.

Rarely will the initial appointment be agreed to from a first phone call as. more often than not. you will be advised to put your request in writing.  Here are some ideas that can assist you in getting the meeting:

• In the request provide a brief description of your organisation, any relevant history or background as well as a brief description of your role.
• Briefly outline the key reason for requesting the meeting.  This only needs to be one or two key points to highlight the purpose of the meeting and what they would expect.  Do not try to include the full case or argument as this is why you want to meet with the MP.
• Provide a reason why the MP should meet you.  For example, this may be in relation to a community program or event which the MP supports or it may be linked to a policy of their party.
•  Make sure to provide all contact details and ask for the office of the MP to contact you to make the appointment.

A couple of days after you have forwarded the written request it can be a good idea to make a phone call to the office to confirm that they have received it.  Hopefully you may receive a call back to lock in an appointment within a week or two but if there is not response after around two weeks it is worth contacting the office and asking to speak directly with the MP.

In some cases you will need to keep trying and if you fail to secure an appointment. be persistent.   Also be friendly, respectful and polite with each and every contact you have with the MP’s office as often your persistence may be the reason you are given an appointment.

(photo by Andrea Shaffer)