Something everyone should read writing to ministers

[Slakewell]

http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/12/16/dont-waste-your-time-waste-theirs-a-guide-to-writing-to-ministers/

I know its a link to another website but it's something every smart bloke should know.
Bernard Keane’s guide to writing to Ministers

[Mick22]

Interesting read, I've been involved in this process quite a bit... related to a pollie and worked on several campaigns. From what I've seen writing letters to ministers or govt officials has about the same success rate as sitting in the corner and sucking your thumb

The best way to get a result is to approach (preferably face to face and hand them a letter) your local member and get them to raise the issue with the minister and you will get a real response.

You know those people you see handing out "How to vote" cards outside your local school at election time and you think , who are these parasites and why would anyone want to do it? if you have a burning issue become one of them! Its hard work at election time trying to find people willing to do it and their efforts are not forgotten by any pollie with half a brain, so any issue they raise is always looked into as the pollies cannot afford to burn them. This definitely works, local footy clubs sometimes hand out for 3 opposing candidates at a time just so they get a voice regardless of who wins, so they can get funding for their new clubrooms etc....and it works

[monaro308]

A few years ago,a mate of mine that i used to race sprint karts with got elected as mayor of Casey (cranbourne,Vic)I think it was a 2 year duration.
He said it was "hard work" trying to keep everyone happy,but it was also the biggest taxpayer funded rort going around.
A nice paypacket,a Holden Statesman supplied at his leasure,a HUGE taxpayer funded trip to the French Formula 1 GP with a meet and greet of the drivers.This included an entourage of about 6 other tax payer funded cronnies.....all because of....wait for it......a town near by was the sister city to Cranbourne!
I havent got time for anyone in politics and wouldn't give the steam off my bog to elect them in and rape all of us rate payers tax money instead of funding Hospitals and better/safer roads.
But hey they get to go to "A listing" functions (that we pay for with rate payers money)that we have to pay to get in (Aust F1GP ) and drive the Australian Toyota Prius'

[VMX247]

Good tips in letter writing thanks....
Once again its dedication on the part of these people..Our MLA (family of mxer's  ) is a fighter for our Coal industries amongst other community agendas.
The government doesn't seem to be putting any infrastructure in for new power sources. 
They seem to be pretty responsive to us rural & remote folk    with the good response from Minister's about the quoter of Wedge Tail Eagle's shot by farmers per annem and about our roads that still follow the old railway formations.Have had the speed reduced to 100 km for about 20km here and no deaths since.
Fingers crosses they keep up the good fight here.