Effective Lobbying

1. Effective Lobbying

2. Effective Lobbying Presenters: Louis Schetzer, Research & Policy Officer Carolyn Grenville, Training Co-ordinator 5 May 2010

3. 10 hints for effective lobbying – from a government perspective • There are two things which you never want to see being made – laws and sausages. • - Bill Clinton

4. Hint 1 • Don’t assume that the Government officials with whom you are dealing know who you are or what you do. • - You need to ‘dumb it down’ for them.

5. Hint 2 • … and even if they do, don’t assume that they care about your work or your issue. • Competing priorities – “the kitchen table issues” • Is it important in terms of overarching Government goals? • Does it conflict with other priorities? • WHERE IS THE FIRE?

6. Hint 3 • Be realistic about your power base and that of other stakeholders • eg. Police • Business • Church • These groups are well resourced, have the ear of government, know how to play the system and can run sustained and effective media campaigns. • “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” • - Sun Tzu, 400 BC

7. Hint 4 • What drives government action – sensationalism and the media cycle • Importance of tabloid media & talkback radio • Well resourced, powerful stakeholders can run sustained and intense media campaigns • The power of fear is difficult to counter (the importance of ‘framing’ the debate) • “The one permanent emotion of the inferior man is fear - fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable.  What he wants above everything else is safety.” - Henry Louis Mencken

8. Hint 5 • What else can influence government – evidence: “Evidence-based policy” is not a myth • Need for rigour in research • Research is not ‘advocacy’ • In real research, sometimes the results are not what you expect • Danger of bad research or misstating research results

9. Hint 6 • Understand the policy development process • If there is a public consultation, it is not the only thing that is happening: • Internal Government/inter-departmental consultations • Justice system consultation – judiciary/police • Submission to cabinet to get approval for policy announcement – needs support from the major players

10. Hint 7 • Understand the legislative process • Cabinet approval to prepare legislation • Instructions to PC • Possible further exposure draft/consultations • Ongoing consultations with govt depts., justice system stakeholders • Further instructions to PC • Further discussions with Govt depts, justice system stakeholders • Further submission to Cabinet for approval to introduce legislation

11. Hint 7 … cont’d • Opposition and cross-bench briefings …. • Legislation introduced • (You’re not there yet ….) • further lobbying from the powerful stakeholders • Upper House • (You’re still not home ….) • Delayed and non-specified proclamation dates

12. Hint 8 • Understand the budget process • Timing • What are government priorities • What are the political priorities • What are the Departmental priorities • The stages: • Departmental prioritisation – October • ERC 1 – December • ERC 2 - February

13. Hint 9 • What makes for a good budget submission? • A well developed business case • Strong links to Government & Department priorities • Economic model • Identified financial savings to Government • Costed options (including ‘do nothing’) • Identify other possible sources of funding and why they are not viable • Think about how much you’re asking for – a delicate balance - neither too big nor too small • Make it sound like a new initiative, even if it is not • Have a sexy title for the initiative!

14. Hint 10 • Know what you’re asking for and how to effectively frame the issue • Key ingredient for successfully achieving outcome, whether for policy, new legislation or budget • Sets the tone for political and government consideration of the issue • Sets the media tone for the issue. • “It’s only words … but words are all we have …” • - Barry Gibb • “Words are like bullets – once they are fired you can never take them back.” • - Bill Hayden

15. The ‘ask’ • What will a solution to this problem look like? • What action needs to be taken? • What specifically are you asking your target to do for you? Focus on practical outcomes. • What is the timeframe?

16. Framing your argument • Write down your key messages • What is the other side of the argument and what are you up against? • Frame your issue around your target’s motivations and to appeal to the general public • Do you have examples or stories you can talk about? • Sticky messages

17. Messages that stick • Loud and Clear • Crafting Messages That Stick • What Nonprofits Can Learn from Urban Legends • By Chip Heath • Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2003

18. Messages that stick • Simple • Unexpected • Concrete • Credentialed • Emotional • Stories

19. Messages that stick

20. Lobbying Kit • Clear and brief summary of: • what is the issue? • why is it a problem? • what are the possible solutions to the problem? • No more than 1 page • User-friendly language • Longer, supporting documents can be attached • Include other relevant material

21. Advocacy by Letter • Letterhead, address and date • Full name and title of target • Subject line; one issue per letter • Who you are and connection to issue • Define the problem concisely • Name relevant policy or legislation • Ask specific questions • Request action with time frame • Offer solutions • Suggest a meeting in person • KISS; attachments included • Contain your anger • Always sign the letter • Keep and copy & copies of replies