Australian Politics Forum - What is the role of an MP?

Nunya

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OzPolitic

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What is the role of an MP?
May 28^th, 2008 at 5:06am

I recently asked my local Member of State Parliament, to comment and give me his views on a Development Proposal that is currently before the council in his electorate.

The proposal that I am referring to is the biggest single redevelopment proposal that has ever been considered for the suburb.

Without going into the details of the DP here, it is suffice to say that the vast majority of residents that are anywhere near the site in question have extremely strong views on the proposal.

My MP’s response, in full, was;

"Dear Sir
I am writing in response to your recent email.
Thank you for sharing your views with me. As this concerns your objections to a Development Application before the local Council, these are really a matter for the Council.
Yours sincerely......."

My question went unanswered and has therefore given rise to another one or three.

What is the role of an MP?

What level of interest should an elected Member of Parliament have for his/her electorate?

If a local MP does not wish to comment on major developments within his/her electorate are his/her duties being neglected?

Is my local Member of State Parliament performing his role adequately?

If he is, is 'adequately' acceptable?

I ask that you don't read anything into this post thats not there. Quite simply I am seeking answers to questions. I don't have the answers, yet I believe that this is the place that I can get them.

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deepthought

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In Defence Of Liberty

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Re: What is the role of an MP?
Reply #1 - May 28^th, 2008 at 7:40am

Nunya wrote on May 28^th, 2008 at 5:06am:

I recently asked my local Member of State Parliament, to comment and give me his views on a Development Proposal that is currently before the council in his electorate.

The proposal that I am referring to is the biggest single redevelopment proposal that has ever been considered for the suburb.

Without going into the details of the DP here, it is suffice to say that the vast majority of residents that are anywhere near the site in question have extremely strong views on the proposal.

My MP’s response, in full, was;

"Dear Sir
I am writing in response to your recent email.
Thank you for sharing your views with me. As this concerns your objections to a Development Application before the local Council, these are really a matter for the Council.
Yours sincerely......."

My question went unanswered and has therefore given rise to another one or three.

What is the role of an MP?

What level of interest should an elected Member of Parliament have for his/her electorate?

If a local MP does not wish to comment on major developments within his/her electorate are his/her duties being neglected?

Is my local Member of State Parliament performing his role adequately?

If he is, is 'adequately' acceptable?

I ask that you don't read anything into this post thats not there. Quite simply I am seeking answers to questions. I don't have the answers, yet I believe that this is the place that I can get them.

While it is accurate that it is a matter for council the MP concerned is quite dismissive of your concern.

That said it depends on how your question was worded. Do you feel that you can post that? I understand if you do not wish to of course.

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Nunya

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OzPolitic

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Re: What is the role of an MP?
Reply #2 - May 28^th, 2008 at 8:11am

This is the cover letter that I sent, without the names and addresses.

"Dear Mr. L,

My name is X. My wife and I have lived on the same site in A for close to 30 years and we are extremely concerned about a Development Proposal that is currently before Council.

As you are our local Member of Parliament I wanted to share with you my letters of objection to the DA.

I have attached a copy of the letter that I will be delivering to the Council Chambers tomorrow, as well as the 1st letter that I submitted on 14/4/2008.

If after reading these letters you would like more background information, I have a complete copy of all of the documents that were on public display, on disc in .pdf format, that I obtained under the Councils Access to Documents Policy that I would be happy to supply you with.

At your convenience, I would appreciate hearing from you and/or your office in regards to this matter.

All of my contact details are on the attached letters.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

X"

I whole heartedly agree with the statement by 'deepthought';

'While it is accurate that it is a matter for council the MP concerned is quite dismissive of your concern.'

I am still looking for some answers and hope that by posting this I can somehow be more understanding of the responsibilities, even if they be just morally, of our MPs.

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deepthought

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In Defence Of Liberty

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Re: What is the role of an MP?
Reply #3 - May 28^th, 2008 at 8:32am

Nunya wrote on May 28^th, 2008 at 8:11am:

This is the cover letter that I sent, without the names and addresses.

"Dear Mr. L,

My name is X. My wife and I have lived on the same site in A for close to 30 years and we are extremely concerned about a Development Proposal that is currently before Council.

As you are our local Member of Parliament I wanted to share with you my letters of objection to the DA.

I have attached a copy of the letter that I will be delivering to the Council Chambers tomorrow, as well as the 1st letter that I submitted on 14/4/2008.

If after reading these letters you would like more background information, I have a complete copy of all of the documents that were on public display, on disc in .pdf format, that I obtained under the Councils Access to Documents Policy that I would be happy to supply you with.

At your convenience, I would appreciate hearing from you and/or your office in regards to this matter.

All of my contact details are on the attached letters.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

X"

I whole heartedly agree with the statement by 'deepthought';

'While it is accurate that it is a matter for council the MP concerned is quite dismissive of your concern.'

I am still looking for some answers and hope that by posting this I can somehow be more understanding of the responsibilities, even if they be just morally, of our MPs.

Your letter is very reasonable and it is disappointing that your local member has dismissed it so tersely. However you have not really asked for a comment on a particular facet and have given your MP nothing to answer. You have really only outlined your concern.

MPs and the relevant ministers are duty bound to answer questions but will generally not make comments that can come back to bite them. That's why he/she has brushed you off.

In this instance I suggest the following. I only make these comments as suggestions and advise you to consider anything before taking any steps. You don't need to do any of this if you are not comfortable doing it.

I suggest you outline all your concerns and then ask specific questions such as "what does the (insert relevant minister here) plan on doing about blah blah blah issue (noise, disruption to traffic, pollution, resumptions, amenity etc).

Keep asking questions. I know how this process works - they have to answer your questions.

Send the letters to the MP, the minister (for local government, transport or whatever) and the Premier. Also send a copy of the letter to the Mayor (or Lord Mayor if a capital city).

This will take time though, a reply will not be forthcoming immediately as it needs to go to the relevant departments for responses.

The other thing which always gets their attention is media. Contact your local media (major paper, free neighbourhood paper etc) and see if you can get a story. It really starts the ball rolling.

Good luck and keep us posted.

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