Contact your Candidate

This election let's put children first.

Send candidates in your electorate a message.
Ask them to make children a priority in the next parliament.

Feel free to use our example questions and messages below as a guide but it's important to customise it with your local and personal experiences.

To find your current MP visit the Australian Electoral Commission and check who represents your electorate. From there you can usually find and contact your incumbent MP via email or social media. Other candidates usually advertise closer to the election in your electorate.

Example Questions

Did you know child wellbeing is not a cabinet priority?
Did you know Australia doesn't have a Minister for Children?
What are you going to do about it?

Example Messages

Ideas for posts/replies on your candidates' social media.

I am concerned that despite being a rich and developed country, Australia has not made the wellbeing of children a national priority.
I keep hearing about tragedies involving children in the child protection system, or more children being locked up in detention centres. It seems Australia is not making progress on these issues. If you are elected, what will you do to make child wellbeing a national priority so that we can improve the lives of children in the most vulnerable circumstances?

Example Letter/Email

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

I am writing to you as a concerned voter who believes that Australia can do better, and must do better, for children and young people in vulnerable circumstances. Right now, far too many children face harm and hardship, such as mental health struggles, poverty and disadvantage, and child maltreatment. The systems of health, education and social services that should be helping children and their families are unco-ordinated and piecemeal, and those who most need help are unable to get the help they need.

It is unacceptable that Australia has no Cabinet Minister for Children. Children's rights and wellbeing should be a national priority, yet there is no dedicated leadership at the highest level of government, and no accountability for policy reform based on evidence.

As a candidate in the upcoming Federal Election, I urge you to commit to the Act for Children campaign and support the following critical reforms:

A Cabinet Minister for Children – A dedicated leader to co-ordinate evidence-based reform
National Cabinet to make ‘Child Wellbeing’ a priority for the federation, supported by a Ministerial Council for Child Wellbeing with multidisciplinary experts.
A National Plan for Child Wellbeing – A coordinated cross-portfolio strategy to deliver real change for children across Australia.
A National Children’s Act – Legislation to ensure accountability for children’s rights and wellbeing, now and for future generations.

These reforms will ensure that the wellbeing of children in vulnerable circumstances is prioritised in government decision-making, no matter which party is in power. I would appreciate hearing your position on these issues and how you plan to support children in our community and across Australia.

Along with many other voters, I will be considering candidates’ commitment to child wellbeing when casting my vote.

Please let me know where you stand. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

The Act for Children campaign acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their enduring connection to the lands, waters, and skies. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In solidarity, AFC supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the need for truth-telling about the history and impact of colonisation. We treasure the rich and diverse cultures and customs of First Nations people – valued knowledge holders, leaders and partners in creating the conditions for all our children to thrive.