Please find below the templates and tools to support you to Meet Your MP for Assange.
Suggested questions (please feel free to omit or add your own):
1. On the 29 November 2022, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in Parliament, 'I have raised [Julian Assange] personally with representatives of the United States Government. My position is clear and has been made clear to the US Administration that it is time that this matter be brought to a close. This is an Australian citizen’. Do you agree with the Prime Minister’s statement?
1a. Why do you agree/disagree?
2. Would you be willing to write a formal public statement asking for the immediate release of Julian Assange?
2a. If not, what would you feel comfortable doing given you agree with the Prime Minister’s statement?
3. Would you consider joining the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group, which is chaired by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie?
4. As a Member of Parliament, what could you actively do to secure Julian’s release? For example, would you be open to writing a letter to PM and the Foreign Minister supporting the immediate release of Julian Assange?
5. What can the public and your constituents do to secure Julian’s release? How could we, as your constituents, assist you in supporting Julian?
6. Would you be open to attending an Assange Campaign Australia event, with members of our community, to discuss this matter further?
7. Nils Melzer is a former United Nations Rapporteur on Torture who has explained that Julian Assange is showing signs of prolonged exposure to psychological torture. Nils felt so strongly about this case he wrote a book, The Trial of Julian Assange. Have you read The Trial of Julian Assange by Nils Melzer? Would you like a copy of the book?
8. Nils Melzer stated, ‘Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture.’ Have you ever raised the issue of Julian Assange’s wellbeing and human rights with the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister, and have you raised it in the party room or in discussions with colleagues?
9. Would you like to see Julian Assange put in more humane and appropriate internment, for example, house arrest?
10. We would like to see Julian released from Belmarsh Prison immediately and placed in more appropriate accommodation for a political prisoner / publisher, do you agree?
111. Can you make a commitment to write a letter to Senator Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking for Julian Assange’s immediate release from Belmarsh Prison?
12. What are your own core values or beliefs around free speech, censorship, and free press?
13. Do you believe that an Australian, who has not been on US soil nor committed a crime in the US, should be extradited to the US to be prosecuted under the US Espionage Act?
13a. Many believe that this represents a gross overreach of US power, what are your thoughts?
Tip: MPs receive many requests for meetings every day, so keep your email concise and to-the-point. MPs and their staff will scan it to action it.
Suggested email (please personalise and feel free to edit):
Subject Line: Act NOW for Assange - MEETING REQUEST
Dear (your MPs full name and correct salutation),
I hope that this email finds you well.
My name is (your full name) and I am a voter in the electorate of (your federal electorate) and a member of (any relevant communities you are part of, e.g., Adelaide for Assange).
I am writing to respectfully request a meeting with you as I am concerned about the prolonged incarceration of multi award-winning publisher and Australian citizen, Julian Assange.
On the 29 November 2022, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in parliament “I have raised this issue personally with representatives of the United States government. My position is clear and has been made clear to the US Administration that it is time that this matter be brought to a close. This is an Australian citizen.”
He further stated that the pursuit of the WikiLeaks founder “serves no purpose”; do you support our Prime Minister’s position?
If so, what can you do to raise awareness and build significant momentum to secure Julian’s release?
It has been three years since Julian was forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and locked away in Britain’s most notorious maximum-security prison. He has spent 12 long years in some form of arbitrary detention in the United Kingdom for publishing truthful information.
This is a huge price to pay for doing the work of journalism.
Free speech and a free press are essential components of a well-functioning democracy and should be protected by our MPs. 88% of Australian’s want Julian released and returned home, with many of your constituents feeling the same way, including me.
I am looking forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience, thank you for your kind consideration.
Kindest regards,
- (your name)
- (your email address)
- (your contact number)
- (your postcode)
Tip: Read both the ideal and the alternative phone call scripts below. There are many factors that affect whether you will be able to secure a meeting in the first phone call, so keep trying.
1. An ideal follow up phone call resulting in a date for the MP meeting:
Receptionist: Good afternoon, (name of MP)’s office, (name of receptionist) speaking, how can I help you?
YOU: Good afternoon, (name of receptionist). My name is (your name), and I am a member of the Meet Your MP for Assange Program, how are you today?
Receptionist: Good thank you. How can I help you?
YOU: I am calling as I am concerned about the ongoing incarceration of Australian political prisoner and award-winning publisher Julian Assange. I am following up on an email that I sent on the (date email sent). I am requesting a meeting with (name of MP). Did you receive that email request?
Receptionist: Thanks for that, yes I can see that we received that email. (Name of MP) is very busy being the beginning of the year, I will check the diary.
YOU: I understand that (name of MP) is busy however, I would prefer a meeting as soon as possible, within the next two weeks given the urgency of Julian’s situation.
*Listen and write down the response. Take your time to answer. Do not be hurried off the phone, if they sound rushed, do not let that bother you, take your time.*
Receptionist: I have a meeting time available at on (date) at (time), would that be suitable?
YOU: That would be great, thank you. (Date) at (time) works well for me, can you please confirm via email including the address of the meeting please? My email is (your email address). How many people can accompany me to this meeting, is there a limit?
Receptionist: (Number of people, will vary).
YOU: Thank you very much for assisting me, I really appreciate it. I look forward to receiving your email. Have a great day (name of receptionist).
2. An alternative follow up phone call resulting in a message being left:
Receptionist: Good afternoon, (name of MP)’s office, (name of receptionist) speaking, how can I help you?
YOU: Good afternoon, (name of receptionist). My name is (your name), and I am a member of the Meet Your MP for Assange Program, how are you today?
Receptionist: Good thank you. How can I help you?
YOU: I am calling as I am concerned about the ongoing incarceration of Australian political prisoner and award-winning publisher Julian Assange. I am following up on an email that I sent on the (date email sent). I am requesting a meeting with (name of MP). Did you receive that email request?
Receptionist: Thanks for that, yes I can see that we received that email. (Name of MP) is very busy being the beginning of the year, I will check the diary.
YOU: I understand that (name of MP) is busy however, I would prefer a meeting as soon as possible, within the next two weeks given the urgency of Julian’s situation.
*Listen and write down the response. Take your time to answer. Do not be hurried off the phone, if they sound rushed, do not let that bother you, take your time.*
Receptionist: I do not have (name of MPs) diary in front of me.
*This can sometimes be a standard response. Keep going.*
YOU: I see, no worries, can you please have the Diary Manager or Chief of Staff return my email or give me a call to arrange a meeting, please? This is a critical issue and I would appreciate a meeting with the MP to discuss it.
Receptionist: I will have someone contact you back.
YOU: Thank you. I will resend my original email for your convenience. I appreciate your assistance. Have a wonderful day and I look forward to hearing from your office soon.
*Hopefully you will secure a meeting easily however, you may encounter the statement, “we don’t seem to have that email can you resend?” If this happens, confirm the email address, find your original email and write a new email above it so they see the email trail. Then, mark in your diary to call in four working days if you have not heard back again.*
Tip: If you are unable to secure a meeting directly with your MP, request to meet with their Chief of Staff or Advisor.
The reality of dealing with MPs is that they are very busy and have multiple competing interests. Do not be deterred, make this the reason for your persistence. Our governmental representatives are public servants who must listen to their constituents concerns.
You may again have to wait for a response for a meeting time and date. If you have not heard back in four working days, contact them via phone once again.
If you have any issues or questions we are here to help you secure your meeting. Please contact our MP Program Manager via mp.program@assangecampaign.org.au.
Suggested steps (please feel free add your own):
- CONFIRM –always send an email back to MPs office accepting and confirming the date, time and address
- SHARE – let us know the great news via this form as we will document the date of your meeting and find Team Members who can go along with you (if required)
- TEAM MEMBERS – confirm who will be joining you at the meeting and make sure they note it in their diary
- NUMBERS – there are no set rules about the number of people you can take to a meeting, however, you can call and ask the MPs office to be sure
- RESEARCH – write down how you would appeal to your MPs interests and commitments
- AGENDA – plan who is going to speak, for how long, and what questions you are going to ask, taking into consideration your key messages
- CHECKLIST – write down your questions and checklist (see the image below). What is it that you really want to know? What are your top three questions?
- ASK – what are you asking you MP to do following the meeting?
- COMMITMENT – what action can your MP take directly after the meeting?
- NOTES – designate a note-taker and ensure they have a copy of the specific aspects you would like them to record
- PHOTOS – it is always great to make sure you have a designated person to be responsible for photography and equipment. Photos are very important for social media content both for you and the MP. Make sure you take a group photo at the end.
- VIDEO STATEMENT – ask your MP if they would be willing to make a brief video statement, for example, ”Enough is enough, we support Prime Minster Albanese’s comments. We must Get Assange Out of Belmarsh Prison”
- VISUALS – if you have a T-shirt, poster, or banner, remember to take it in with you. These things look great in photos. High-quality and free poster designs from Somerset Bean are available for download here at the Somerset Bean website.
- SOCIAL MEDIA – if you are on any social media platforms, don’t forget to spread the word as people are interested in what you are doing and it may inspire someone else to contact their MP. Use these hashtags #MeetYourMPforAssange #IMetMyMPforAssange #ActNOWforAssange #FreeAssange #AssangeCampaignAustralia #JournalismIsNotACrime #EveryActionCounts #GetAssangeOUTofBelmarsh #FreeSpeechMatters #EnoughisEnough
- SPREAD THE WORD – if you have an email network or social club network, let them know what you are doing as the more people that are aware of your efforts the better
Congratulations - the day of your MP meeting is here!
Remember:
- TIMING – to save you any stress, it is always best to arrive at these kinds of meetings a little early. Meet your team 45 minutes prior to the meeting at a local coffee shop and go through the checklist, and your notes. Make sure you have a camera etc.
- BE YOURSELF – be polite and courteous but above all things be yourself. You have every right to ask questions of your governmental representatives.
- FLOW – don’t rush through your questions, let the conversation flow. Let the MP speak more than you do. Do no rush to fill any silences.
- BE POLITE – the MP that you visit may not be as familiar with the subject matter of Julian Assange as you are. They are more than likely not going to be an Assange specialist. The aim is to gain support for Assange so be polite and kind and inform them respectfully. This is not a test for the MP so be polite and do not put them in a test-like situation.
- CHECKLIST – sometimes conversations get off point and that can be helpful but always make sure you stick to your planned questions and checklist as much as possible. Do not leave until you have your top three questions answered.
- CLEAR – be clear on what you want from your MP and do not be shy to ask for it – do you want them to write a letter to support Assange or to make a commitment to join the parliamentary group
- LISTEN – listen and write down the responses. Take your time to consider and respond.
- COMMITMENT – secure an action; what action is your MP going to take? Do not let them divert to another MP, you are in their electorate and you want a commitment and action from them!
- NOTES – make sure your designated note-taker jots down every response. It is good to refer to your notes and we will be interested in receiving them in the debrief.
- ASK FOR PERMISSION – ask if your MP would be ok with you taking photos and sharing them on social media.
- PHOTOS – as you have planned, get your designated photographer to take lots of photos. Especially at the end of the meeting, get a group shot holding up your banners and posters.
- VIDEO STATEMENT – ask your MP if they would be willing to make a brief video statement, for example, ”Enough is enough, we support Prime Minster Albanese’s comments. We must Get Assange Out of Belmarsh Prison”
- THANK YOU – remember to thank your MP for their time
- INVITE – ask your MP if they would be willing to speak at any upcoming Assange gatherings or events we may have in the future. Also, ask if they would be willing to have a meeting with a representative of Assange Campaign Australia.
Suggested email (please personalise and feel free to edit):
Subject Line: Act NOW for Assange - THANK YOU FOR MEETING
Dear (your MPs full name and correct salutation),
We would like to thank you for meeting with us today, we all found the experience very interesting and enjoyable.
As discussed, we are all very concerned about the ongoing incarceration and persecution of Australian award-winning publisher and political prisoner, Mr Julian Assange. We are respectfully requesting that our governmental representatives do more to secure his immediate release.
Julian has been in some form of arbitrary detention for over 12 years and has spent nearly 4 years in solitary-confinement-like conditions in Britain’s Belmarsh Prison. It is outrageous that an Australian citizen has been left alone to fight off extradition to the US for exposing truthful information about US War Crimes.
Julian is potentially going to be charged under the US Espionage Act as punishment for speaking truth to power. Julian is an Australian citizen and a political prisoner, so should not be subject to extradition at all. We believe this case should have been dropped or dismissed years ago.
We are encouraged that you would consider joining the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group. Please see the link to more information:
Assange Campaign - Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group information
We recommend you read the book The Trial of Julian Assange by Nils Melzer, former UN Rapporteur on Torture. This is such a valuable resource, it is so well-researched and written, it leaves no stone unturned. Please see the link to the book summary:
Assange Campaign - Trial of Julian Assange book summary
As Nils Melzer says, "The persecution of Julian Assange establishes a precedent that will not only allow the powerful to keep their crimes secret but will even make the revelation of such claims punishable by law. Let us not fool ourselves ... Once telling the truth has become a crime we will all be living in a tyranny." (pg. 330)
Melzer concluded, "Assange is not prosecuted for his own crimes, but for the crimes of the powerful. Their impunity is what the trial of Assange is really about. It is the powerful - whether governments, corporations, or organisations - who undermine our democratic institutions and the rule of law; who refuse to prosecute torture, war crimes and corruption; who betray our legal systems and shared values for self-serving purposes." (pg. 330)
Failure to care about Julian Assange, a brave Australian, is failure to care about the rule of law and the right to a 'fair go’.
We would appreciate if you could consider making a public statement in support of Julian's immediate release and condemn his extradition. I believe that this would help build awareness and momentum to save Julian's life.
This is a human rights issue and organisations such as Amnesty International and PEN International have come out in support of Julian's release.
Currently, the Assange Campaign has a petition to the US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy if you would like to sign and share. Please see the link to the petition:
https://www.action.assangecampaign.org.au/?pc=mp1&source=mp1
As discussed, we will be posting the photos we took from our meeting across our social media networks and sharing it with the Assange Campaign. We are delighted that you have agreed to allow us to tag you.
We would once again like to thank you for your time and support for Julian Assange.
Kindest regards,
- (your name)
- (your email address)
- (your contact number)
- (your postcode)
Got any questions?
Get in contact with our MP Program Manager via mp.program@assangecampaign.org.au.
We would love to hear from you!