Meetings and public comment: Australia.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Meetings and public comment: Australia

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment

Public meetings are where many local decisions are made, and many of them take comments from residents. This sheet covers how to follow a meeting and have your say.

Before the meeting

Find the agenda and papers on the body’s website.
Check how it takes comments: in person, in writing or online.
Check if you need to sign up in advance, and any time limit.

A two-minute comment

Name the agenda item.
Say who you are and your connection to the area.
Say how it affects you and what you’d like to happen.
Be courteous, and thank them.

Writing to decision makers

One issue per message, with the topic in the subject line.
Say clearly what you would like them to do.
Keep it short and keep a copy.

Afterwards

Read the minutes to see what was decided.
Follow up in writing if you have more to add.
For voting questions, use only your official election office.

In Australia

Local councils. States and territories make the laws that create local councils, so check your council’s website for meeting dates, agendas and how to take part. The ACT has no local councils; its Legislative Assembly handles local responsibilities.
Contacting senators and members. Each senator and member chooses their preferred contact method. Find their home page on the Parliament of Australia website for contact details.
Parliamentary committees. Parliamentary committees investigate matters of policy or government administration. You can take part by lodging a submission to a committee inquiry.
Voting questions. The Australian Electoral Commission handles enrolment and federal elections. State and territory electoral commissions run their own elections.

Official places to check:

Parliamentary Education Office: peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/three-levels-of-government/the-responsibilities-of-the-three-levels-of-government
Parliament of Australia: www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members
Parliament of Australia: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Getting_Involved_in_Parliamentary_Committees
Australian Electoral Commission: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment