QLD
Write to your MP
MP not found. Please search again
MP not found MP not found MP not found MP not found
Sending your letter
By Post: MP not found
By email: MP not found
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 oppose this legislation?
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,
*************************
[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]
*************************
I am writing to express concerns about the new draft of the Anti-Discrimination bill that is currently under consideration. I believe this bill threatens religious freedom by preventing faith-based organisations from maintaining their community of faith through employment practices. Faith groups need the ability to employ individuals who fully live out the teachings and values of their faith in every aspect of life. This principle ensures that staff members in faith-based schools act as genuine role models, embodying and reinforcing the faith's principles and morals for the students.
In the education setting, the presence of staff who uphold and exemplify the school's faith is crucial for delivering an authentic religious education. Similarly, politicians are permitted by the draft bill to employ people who share their political beliefs; faith-based groups seek the same allowance to employ based on religious beliefs. Included with this letter are submissions from numerous faith leaders detailing their concerns with the legislation under discussion.
I would appreciate your response on this matter. Specifically, will you stand to protect religious freedom and support faith groups in retaining their identity when it comes to employment? I urge you to reject the bill and support the rights of these organisations to operate in accordance with their beliefs.
Thank you for considering this important issue.
*************************
[enter your name, address and phone number. Your address is needed so MPs know you are legitimately from their electorate.]
*************************
Authorised by Mike Southon, Freedom for Faith, 168 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW