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No 55, November 2007
Editor: Jennifer Gilmore
Production: Keith Griffin
The views expressed in Chain Mail articles are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by a majority of Bike North members, or Bike North policy as formulated by the Bike North Executive Committee.
Federal Election 07
The federal election is coming up, so it's time to kick our lobbying efforts up a notch. At an over-arching level the Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) is working with the Bicycle Federation of Australia and state cycling organizations, such as Bicycle NSW, on a campaign to get greater Federal Government support for cycling.
The national cycling community has agreed on three key 'asks' of the Commonwealth Government:
1 To provide financial assistance to local governments to improve their walking and cycling infrastructure. The proposed Healthy and Active Transport Program (HEAT) funding initiative would provide $50m each year for four years to allow local councils to develop a physical environment more conducive to walking and cycling.
2 To support and extend the national Ride to Work Program.
More info: www.ride2work.com.au
3 To support and extend the national Ride2School Program. These two programs have been piloted and proved highly successful in Victoria and are now spreading around Australia. Each program delivers significant and measurable change in physical activity, reducing obesity and related diseases including diabetes, heart disease and depression. The increases in riding from these programs deliver other benefits such as clean air, increased workplace productivity and improved student results. Commonwealth responsibilities in health, environment and transport can be effectively met by supporting these cost effective, high return programs and extending them across the Australian community.
More info: www.ride2school.com.au
Bike North members can play an important role in assisting the campaign. For loads of ideas on what you can do, go to: http://www.vote4cycling.com.au. The site includes information and resources including suggestions on what individuals can do to increase cycling investment at the federal level, whoever wins the election.
One of the highest impact actions is to contact your local candidates and ask them about their support for these issues.
Some tips when contacting your local MP or candidate:
- State clearly the purpose of your letter, email or conversation
- Be courteous, polite and non-confrontational
- Focus on specific programs proposed by the cycling sector and point out how they will benefit your local area
- Personalise the letter or communication: tell a story how this issue affects you, your family or local community. Politicians receive hundreds of letters and unfortunately form-letters / emails are becoming less effective. Your own words will make a bigger impact!
- Ask for a response. Always include your name and postal address on letters and emails and ask for a response to your inquiry.
Please see the next page for a list of candidates in your electorate.
Here are maps in PDF format of the elctoral boundaries.