How to use inaugural speeches in your advocacy

An inaugural speech can look like a formality — a new MP thanking family, friends and campaign volunteers in front of an audience that’s mostly there for them. But whether you read it on the day or dig it up years later, it’s one of the most useful sources of intelligence available to you.

As former Ministerial Chief of Staff Ed Martin put it when we asked him about effective advocacy: “Reading a Member of Parliament’s maiden speech or first major speech as a Minister will give them an insight into the person that they’re meeting, what their values are, their background and history.”

Why it’s worth the read

It shows you who you’re dealing with. A politician’s first speech is a genuine window into what drives them — their motivations, their concerns, their personal values, and the people they hold in high regard. Knowing who you’re meeting shapes both the approach you take and the issues you choose to raise.

It helps you spot the ones to watch. A new intake of MPs is your first real chance to make an educated guess at future frontbenchers. The delivery and content of a maiden speech often hints at who’s worth keeping an eye on as their career develops.

It can surface an unexpected champion. If you’re advocating for increased aged care funding and a new MP reveals it’s a personal issue for them, you’ve just found a potential ally inside government or opposition — one you might not have found any other way.

It shows you’ve done the work. Referencing a Minister’s own words back to them in a meeting — “I noticed in your maiden speech you mentioned X” — signals you’ve taken the time to understand their background. It might not be central to your ask, but it goes a long way toward building a working relationship.

Not every inaugural speech is going to hand you a breakthrough. But skip them, and you risk missing exactly the detail your advocacy needed.

Advoc8 tracks MP profiles, inaugural speeches and political feeds in one place. Reach out for a demo today.