Getting to Know Your Politicians
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Influencing Decision Makers Michael Beahan Chairman ANHCA Public Fund Committee Former President of the Australian Senate Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 1 Influencing Decision Makers Process of influencing decision makers an expansion of networking 3 questions Why and with whom do we network? Why is it important to include politicians? Are there other key decision makers we could include? Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 2 State Election Victoria has four year fixed term elections Next election due on Saturday 29 November, 2014 Legislative Assembly comprises 88 single member districts (seats) Each member elected for four year fixed term By a system of preferential voting Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 3 Composition of Assembly Party Seats Held Liberal/National Coalition Liberal 34 Nationals 10 Total Coalition 44 Labor 43 Independent (Geoff Shaw) 1 Total 88 Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 4 Legislative Council Legislative Council comprises 8 regions Each containing 11 contiguous districts Each with five members elected by proportional representation Each elected for four year fixed terms Legislative Council of 40 members Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 5 Composition of Council Party Seats Held Liberal/National Coalition Liberal 18 National 3 Total Coalition 21 Labor 16 Greens 3 Total 40 Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 6 Districts and Regions https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/images/maps/Map- stateAllRegionsandDistricts.pdf Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 7 State Election 2014 Government has only one seat majority Independent Geoff Shaw holds balance of power Election likely to be close All MP’s and candidates sensitive to lobbying ANHLC will be asking MP’s and candidates to sign up to support for Better aligned funding with community need Growth component in response to unmet need New funding to strengthen community governence ANHLC will be asking all NHC’s to assist Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 8 Redistribution Redistribution in 2013. Result One Lib and One Nat seat abolished Two notionally Labor seats created in western suburbs 5 Labor seats now notionally Liberal Implications Labor has lost a net five seats But swing needed for Labor to win majority has declined. Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 9 In Summary On old boundaries Labor needed two seats on uniform swing of 1.2% for majority government On new boundaries Labor needs five seats but on uniform swing of 0.9% Two of these seats currently have sitting Labor members Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 10 Lib Seats % Swing Sitting member Main opposing Candidate Comments to change Wendouree 0.1* Sharon Knight (ALP) Craig Coltman (LIB) Former Ballarat W Yan Yean 0.1* Danielle Green (ALP) Sam Ozturk (LIB) Carrum 0.3 Donna Bauer (LP) Sonya Kilkenny (ALP) Frankston 0.4# Geoff Shaw (IND) Helen Constas (ALP) Sean Armistead (LIB) Bentleigh 0.9 Elizabeth Miller (LP) Nicholas Staikos (ALP) Monbulk 1.1* James Merlino (ALP) Mark Yerschuur (LIB) Mordialloc 1.5 Lorraine Wreford (LP) Tim Richardson (ALP) Ripon 1.6* Joe Helper (ALP) Louise Staley (LIB) Joe Helper ALP ret Daniel McGlone ALP Bellarine 2.5* Lisa Neville (ALP) Ron Nelson (LIB) Forest Hill 3.5 Neil Angus (LP) Pauline Richards (ALP) Prahran 4.7 Clem Newton-Brown Neil Pharoah (ALP) (LP) S’th Barwon 4.9 Andrew Katos (LP) Andy Richards (ALP) Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 11 ALP Seats % to Sitting member Main opposing Comments change Candidate Eltham 0.8 Steven Herbert (ALP) TBA Albert Park 0.9 Martin Foley (ALP) TBA Cranbourne 1.1 Jude Perera (ALP) Geoff Ablett (LIB) Buninyong 1.6 Geoff Howard (ALP) Ben Taylor (LIB) Former Ballarat East Ivanhoe 1.8 Anthony Carbines (ALP) TBA Macedon 3.2 Joanne Duncan (ALP)* Donna Petrovich (LIB) Duncan ret Mary- Anne Thomas ALP Mulgrave 2.4 Daniel Andrews (ALP) Robert Davies (LIB) Bendigo West 3.1 Maree Edwards (ALP) Jack Lyons (LIB) Bendigo East 3.2 Jacinta Allen (ALP) Greg Bickley (LIB) Geelong 4.0 Ian Tresize (ALP)* Paula Kontelj Tresize ret Christine Couzens ALP Essendon 4.3 Justin Madden (ALP)* TBA Madden ret Danny Pearson ALP Niddrie 4.5 Ben Carroll (ALP) TBA Narre Wrn Nth 4.8 Luke Donnellan (ALP) Amanda Stapleton (LIB) Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 12 Lobbying Lobbying a legitimate exercise Essential part of political process Important feedback for politicians Lobbying for community sector a privilege Not rocket science Exercise in personal communications Common sense But must be well done Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 13 Getting to know Your Politicians Two main objectives Education - general Lobbying – specific issues Credibility and trust underpin all One member of board responsible for political engagement Education Get to know local politicians Invite to functions Arrange special functions e.g. lunches, talks Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 14 Elements of Lobbying Four elements Preparation The meeting Follow up General considerations Preparation Like military operation Develop strategy Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 15 Preparation Clear objectives Escapes and fall back positions Research target Background Interests Values Send notice of issues to be discussed Anticipate questions Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 16 Preparation Select team Rehearse Spokesperson and scribe Keep simple Prepare brief Select appropriate meeting place Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 17 The Meeting Opening comments Casual and non-contentious Spokesperson delivers message Scribe takes notes One leader Assume limited knowledge Summarise key points at end Leave written brief Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 18 Follow Up Thank you letter Respond quickly to requests for further information efficiency impresses Report back to peak body Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 19 General Relaxed and casual tone at all times Interviewee should be comfortable No arguments or attacks Stress what sector can do for government Not what sector wants from government Helping government solve problems Not creating problems for government Convey sincere and caring demeanour Friday 23 May, 2014 ANHLC Conference 2014 20 .