Winter Recess

Every winter, parliaments around Australia break for recess. It’s tempting to treat it as downtime — a chance to refine strategy or plan for the second half of the year. But recess is also an engagement opportunity in its own right, without the usual pressure of parliamentary proceedings and the next advocate waiting in the hallway for their fifteen minutes.

Here’s how to use it.

Visit MPs in their electorate

MPs are used to organisations booking time in their parliamentary office, where they know they’re one of several meetings that day. Visiting them on their own turf sends a different message entirely — that what you have to say is worth the trip, and that they, individually, matter to your organisation.

Invite MPs to tour your facilities

With Parliament not sitting, it’s a good time to invite Ministers, committees or individual members to see your operations firsthand. A site visit brings your issue to life in a way a meeting can’t. The best ones are built around a clear advocacy goal, so it’s worth planning the details rather than just opening the doors.

Have a bite with Canberra-based staff

Some staff travel with their Minister during recess; others use the break for leave. But there’s usually a solid group of staffers still in town. A lunch or dinner with a handful of relevant staff — without their boss around — tends to be a more relaxed, informal setting to talk through your issues.

Invite stakeholders to a game

Winter in Australia means sport, and with Parliament on hiatus, Ministers, MPs and staff are more likely to accept an invitation to a match. A corporate box is a relatively small outlay for a genuinely valuable slice of informal access.

Looking to make the most of your engagement over the winter break? Advoc8 tracks political intelligence like MP interests and sporting allegiances. Reach out for a demo today.