Letter template for Australia’s election

[MyalgicE]

Next month Australia is holding a federal election, so it’s a final chance to push for funding commitments.

Here’s a letter template to make it easier for people with ME to write to their House of Representatives and Senate candidates:
https://meaustralia.net/2019/04/25/write-to-candidates-before-the-election-letter-template/

 

[ME/CFS Skeptic]

In Belgium, we also have general elections next month.

I thought about doing something similar with template letters, but then I wondered whether this is the right time to try and influence politicians. In the days before the elections, most politicians are extremely busy and focused on the major political issues. I thought it might actually be harder for a politician to listen to the ME/CFS story, just before a general election. So my plan was to try and talk to those newly chosen politicians who must are assigned to follow healthcare and related issues for their political party.

Has anyone got any experience with this? Is it really best to contact them before the election? Or is it different because ME/CFS is such a minor issue for most politicians and you'd better talk to them when everything is calm and quiet?

 

[BruceInOz]

Has anyone got any experience with this? Is it really best to contact them before the election? Or is it different because ME/CFS is such a minor issue for most politicians and you'd better talk to them when everything is calm and quiet?

The correct answer may depend on the particular circumstances. Here, the current health minister (from the conservative side of politics, ironically called the Liberal party) has just announced AU$3 million in funding targeted for ME research. The funding was part of the last budget which was handed down just days before the election was announced. Also the Greens (a minor party with no chance of forming government, but may have influence in the event of a hung parliament) have a policy committing AU$15 million in research funding for ME. So the circumstances are probably right for encouraging Liberal candidates to commit more funds and asking Labor what they are going to do. I imagine the right time is any time - before the election and after. But I have no experience with this - this is just my musings.