4 Jun, 2024

Download our checklist to help your team conduct strategic government engagement, complemented by media strategies, in the lead-up to the federal election. 

Now that we know the next federal election will likely occur early next year; it’s well and truly time to get election-ready. 

For over fourteen years, Fifty Acres has been advocating for Australia’s leading not-for-profit and purpose-driven organisations, positioning our clients to be recognised by the state and federal governments for their contributions. 

Fifty Acres’ integrated approach achieves outcomes, bringing together government engagement and strategic communications to drive action for leading change-makers.

✅ Commence your integrated communication and engagement strategy 

Whilst two brilliant stand-alone tools, communications and engagement are a complementary combination when harnessed together, each element adding value to the other’s impact. To inform your plan, consider the current landscape and your organisation’s position,  assessing key messages, target audiences, and desired outcomes.  

If you’re thinking — I know how government engagement supports funding requests, but where does the media come in?

Firstly, the government needs to mirror public support. If your organisation is credible and community-backed (highlighted through media coverage), the staffers and advisors in MP offices will understand the optics of support.

Secondly, publicly known milestones and outcomes provide a foundation of familiarity before government engagements, ensuring your organisation enters a meeting warm, rather than a cold call.

✅ Identify your government engagement targets

Familiarise yourself with 10-15 key Ministers and department representatives to prioritise your focus. Research their portfolios and positions relevant to your key issues, and understand their current stance. Particularly ahead of an election, this should include all sides of government, ensuring that your work will be relevant regardless of the election outcome.

✅ Identify the media your target audience consumes 

Now that you know who you’d like to get in front of, think about where your target representatives consume media. Ministers, staffers and advisors are always keeping their finger on the pulse of local and national news. Focus on local papers or radio stations of the target MPs electorate, or better yet — anything across Canberra in sitting weeks. If there is any outlet where they frequently pen an opinion piece or appear as a guest on radio or television — target those!

✅  Solidify your key ask, gather your evidence base and return on investment

In a pre-election landscape, the clarity and urgency of your call to action are critical. You must understand your key government ask, and have your supporting evidence ready. Align your solution to the problem with tangible actions for political stakeholders, knowing exactly what you need them to do and why immediate action is necessary.

✅  Utilise media outreach to support your government engagement

Tell stories that bolster with your key ask through outlets read by key decision-makers. For example, if your key ask involves increased funding to support mental health for NSW youth, consider publishing the story of a young person your organisation has supported in the Health Minister’s local electorate newspaper or pitch them as a guest on ABC Sydney, creating a direct call to the minister to take action. 

Time this appropriately to ensure it complements your government engagement strategy and scheduled meetings.

✅  Sustain your government relationships

Don’t rely on one meeting to drive results, ensure you are building relationships over time.  Follow up your meetings with thank you notes and a key takeaway document, and provide any updates on key asks. 

✅  Revisit your strategy 

As you implement your strategy, be sure to take any feedback and tweak your approach accordingly. Address any pain points or misconceptions, clarify anything unclear, and highlight what is most important. Ensure this is a living, breathing document that remains relevant.

The Fifty Acres team knows how to tell the stories of Australia’s leading not-for-profits and purpose-driven organisations, positioning our clients to advocate for state and federal government funding. 

If you need support ahead of the next federal or your state’s election, reach out to Fifty Acres. Mention this article for a free consultation with CEO Jo Scard, Get in touch via jo@fiftyacres.com.