The Community Legal Centre ‘Roadshow to Parliament’ is fast approaching. On Thursday 27 February we will converge at NSW Parliament to raise awareness about the important work our sector does across the community and build relationships with a broad cross-section of parliamentarians. The Roadshow has two main components: the Parliamentary briefing and individual meetings between generalist centres and their local MPs.
1. Parliamentary briefing: All MPs have been invited to a lunchtime briefing, from 12:45 – 2pm in the Theatrette at Parliament House.
Please note the venue change: the briefing will now take place in the Theatrette.
The briefing is co-hosted by Community Legal Centres NSW and NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman, and will focus on the work of five specialist CLCs that provide services across the state. You can view the briefing invite here. We are hoping that this focus on statewide services will increase the event’s appeal to members of the Legislative Council. At the end of formal presentations there will be an opportunity for MPs to meet and greet representatives from other specialist and generalist centres who attend. We've had 30 RSVPs from MPs and their staffers already.
You’re all invited to come along and join this parliamentary briefing: 12:45pm-2:00pm on Thursday 27 February in the Jubilee Room at NSW Parliament House - to make sure the event is a success, it would be great to have as many CLC representatives present as possible.
People attending the Legal Training Day at the State Library should join us at Parliament House over the lunch break - there will be food at the briefing. Please be ready to leave the State Library promptly at the end of the morning’s sessions and to travel light. CLCNSW staff will direct an orderly process for getting everyone through security at Parliament House as efficiently as possible.
2. Individual meetings between generalist centres and their local MPs: These meetings are the primary way that generalist centres are participating in the day. So far, we've confirmed 26 individual meetings between local MPs and the generalist community legal centres that provide services in their electorates on the day, as well as a few additional meetings in March and April.
However, as the Roadshow is on in a sitting week, it’s important to be prepared for last minute changes depending on the day’s parliamentary business.
We have slotted specialist CLCs into meetings where appropriate, although unfortunately have found it difficult to arrange meetings between specialist CLCs and the ministers whose portfolios cover specialist CLC areas of work.
Participating centres will receive meeting schedules and briefing packs this week, with information about the MP(s) you are meeting, security access, key contacts, a suggested structure for each meeting, and some hints for meeting with MPs.
If you have any questions about the Roadshow, please get in touch with Emily on emily.hamilton@clcnsw.org.au or on (02) 9212 7333.