Guide to getting involved

Learn how to get involved with the NSW Parliament. Discover ways to participate including voting, contacting members of Parliament, signing petitions, contributing to committee inquiries, visiting Parliament House and having your say on issues that matter to you.

The NSW Parliament represents the people of NSW and makes laws and decisions that affect them. There are many ways individuals and organisations can get involved and help Parliament make decisions that reflect what they want.

Be informed about Parliament

If you want to get involved, you can find out about the work of Parliament by watching parliamentary sittings or committee hearings in-person or online. You can also follow media reporting on the work of Parliament through print, broadcast and social media. Many members of parliament use social media to tell the public about their work.

Vote in elections

Voting in elections is a way to express your views in a democratic system. Australians can enrol to vote at 16 and vote when they turn 18. Through voting, citizens choose elected members to represent them in Parliament and form governments, based on the majority decision of the people.

Contact members

You can phone, write to or email a member of Parliament to express your view about issues that are important to you. You can also contact a government minister who is responsible for a particular policy area. Find contact details of members of the NSW Parliament.

Create or sign a petition

Members of the public can bring issues to the attention of Parliament by starting or signing a petition. A petition is a request that Parliament takes action to solve a particular problem. People can support the request by signing the petition. It is then presented to Parliament by a member. Find out more about petitioning the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

Take part in a committee inquiry

Committee are groups of members of parliament who look at issues in detail and report to Parliament. They can invite members of the public, organisations and experts to give their opinions about an issue they are considering, by making a submission or speaking at a public hearing. Expressing your views to a committee, in writing or in person, is a way to have your views taken into account when legislation, policies or decisions are being developed. Find out more about the work of committees.

Visit Parliament

Parliament House is open to the public on Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm. Public tours of the Chambers run on Mondays and Fridays, and events and exhibitions are held regularly. Find out more about planning your visit, and keep up-to-date with upcoming events.

Standing for Parliament

An option open to citizens is to stand for parliament, as an independent or a party candidate. The NSW Electoral Commission can give advice on the process of registration and standing.

Taking action through government processes

In many cases, the most appropriate way to resolve an issue is to contact the government department or agency involved (or the minister responsible for it) by mail, phone or personal visit. Agencies have staff and processes to help people to deal with issues, and their websites have relevant contact information.

NSW, like most Australian Governments, has legislation to make government information more open. Information is the key to an effort to make a change or to take effective action. Most government agencies have a process for requesting access to information. You may need to fill in a form and pay a fee as part of the process.

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