Submitting a letter to the editor is a great way to draw more attention to the need to raise the rate for good. Read this step-by-step guide to find out more.
1. How to write your letter to the Editor
- Begin with ‘Dear Editor’.
- Add your personal experiences and thoughts.
- Add any relevant local information.
- Keep it short – 150 words is ideal.
- Sign off with your full name and your address.
Please note: Newspapers usually require letter writers to include their name and address, which is published in the newspaper along with the letter. In some cases, you may be able to include your suburb rather than your full address. If you would like to submit a letter but do not want to include your name and/or address, you should contact your local paper to discuss whether this is possible.
2. Submitting your letter to the Editor
- Here is a list of newspapers in Australia by locality.
- Find the ‘Contact us’ page (often the link is at the very bottom of the website)
- Some local papers have an online submission form for letters to the editor on the ‘Contact us’ page.
- If there is no online submission form, there should be an email address listed for letters to the editor.
- If you can’t find a submission form or an email address, call the general phone number and ask for the best way to submit a letter to the editor. If there is a recorded message with options when you call, select the option for ‘editorial’ or ‘newsroom’.
- If you are emailing your letter to the editor, include the text of the letter in the body of the email (not as an attachment)
- Include your full name and address/suburb for publication.
3. Promoting your published letter
- Although many politicians monitor local media coverage and will see your letter, to make sure they get the message, mail or post your published letter to the editor to your local federal MP and your state/territory’s senators. You can find their contact details on the Australian Parliament House website.
- Take a photo of your letter in the paper and post it on social media with the hashtag #RaisetheRateforGood. Email your [email protected] so we can share your letter on social media.
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected].