Socialising your submission with the right stakeholders: How communications can support and amplify a budget submission after it’s been lodged

Every year, organisations across Australia pour enormous effort into preparing their federal budget submissions — gathering evidence, crafting recommendations, and aligning their proposals with government priorities. But once the submission is lodged, many assume the work is done.

In reality, this is when the real communications effort begins.

A well-crafted budget submission is only effective if the right people understand it, remember it, and can advocate for it inside Parliament walls. Strategic communication plays a critical role in keeping your key recommendations alive throughout the budget cycle — turning a document into momentum, and momentum into influence.

Here’s how communications can keep your work in front of their mind long after you hit “submit.”

When your messages are clear and concise, decision-makers are more likely to engage with your submission. Adopting a strategic communication approach includes, but is not limited to:

• Translating complex data and terms into persuasive narratives 
• Producing briefing papers, factsheets, toolkits or explainers that highlight your primary ask

Using your owned channels to reinforce asks and build momentum 

Your organisation’s own social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, are powerful tools for reinforcing your case, broadening awareness of your ask/s. Owned content helps shape the narrative, and keeps your budget ask visible, without the need to rely on traditional media.

You can consider: 

• Publishing blogs or articles on your LinkedIn to summarise your budget submission 
• Create short social tiles or videos to highlight key issues
• Electronic newsletters can support in keeping supporters, partners and decision-makers updated. s

Leveraging the media landscape 

For some organisations, media coverage can amplify the importance of the issue which is the focus of the submission. Media can play a key role to build pressure, and position your organisation as a credible voice worth listening to.

This can include: 

• Pitching for interviews with local media to expand your reach 
• Op-eds linking your recommendations to broader policy challenges
• Offer commentary to respond to relevant news 

Bringing the Budget Submission to life with lived experiences

Budgets are ultimately about people – supporting and empowering them. Strategic communications can humanise the data, bringing credibility to your case. 

To bring your submission to life, your organisation will need to prepare: 

• Case studies and personal stories 
• Quotes from lived experience 

A strong budget submission is important, and supporting this with strategic communications keeps you in the conversation. By socialising your recommendations, amplifying your message across owned channels, and maintaining momentum throughout the budget cycle, you increase your chances of being heard. 

If you’d like support with socialising your submission or developing your post-budget communication strategy, the Fifty Acres team is here to help.