QLD
Write to your MP
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Sending your letter
By Post: MP not found
By email: MP not found
Copy the Premier and Attorney General:
Writing Guide
An effective email is polite, friendly and short.
Emails are first read by the MP’s staff, who are extremely busy and are usually dealing with a very full inbox. If they can quickly scan the email and understand your point, they are able to convey your concerns to the MP – especially if dozens of other people have also written expressing the same issues.
Introduce
Address them as “Dear MP not found”, or “Dear MP not found”
Introduce yourself and say where you live, something about your family, community, or church/mosque/temple etc.
Concerns
Say that you are writing about the draft Anti-Discrimination bill.
Say that you are concerned that the bill will undermine religious organisations (or religious freedom) in Queensland. You could mention:
- It will stop religious organisations and schools from employing people who live out their faith
- It introduces tough restrictions on speech
- Judges will be authorised to decide what is “reasonable” for religious organisations
- The law allows politicians and other groups to choose who they employ, so faith groups should be able to do the same.
Attach the letter
Say that you have attached a letter from heads of faith explaining their concerns (see more details below)
Your request
Ask the MP for a response – will they take the time to consult with the community and fix this draft?
Conclude
Thank the MP for their attention and their service to the electorate.
Ensure you include your name and address. This is so the MP’s staff can confirm that you are a member of their electorate. Letters without an address are often ignored
Attach the letter
This letter has been written by faith leaders to all MPs to point out concerns with the draft legislation.
We recommend you don’t simply put the link in your email, but make it an attachment. Attachments to emails are usually taken more seriously than links.
Example email text
This letter is provided as an example. It is always best to write your own letter, however this example is based on a few of the discussion points above and is provided to help you start.
If you are basing your letter off this template, make sure you replace the sections in **[brackets]**
Dear MP not found,
or Dear MP not found,
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[write a paragraph about yourself, include what suburb you live in or how you are connected to the MP’s electorate. You might mention your family, your cultural background, your faith, what church or place of worship you attend]
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I am writing about the new draft of the anti-discrimination bill, which I believe threatens churches and other faith groups. The legislation stops churches and faith-based schools from requiring most employees to agree with and show their faith in how they live. It is important that all staff in a faith-based organisation are examples of the belief system because they shape and influence the community and individuals within it. Staff who share and demonstrate the school's faith ensure a consistent and supportive environment for faith development. The bill also sets different rules for religious organisations than for others, which is a form of religious discrimination.
I have attached a letter to the premier signed by a diverse group of faith leaders outlining their worries about the bill. I am keen to hear your position on this. Will you stand up for religious freedom and the right of faith groups to maintain their faith-based identity in hiring? I urge you to address the concerns raised and amend the bill.
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[enter your name, address and phone number. Your address is needed so MPs know you are legitimately from their electorate.]
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Authorised by Mike Southon, Freedom for Faith, 168 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW