Electorate Officer

Electorate Officer - Office of Hon Colin Brooks MP

Sep 2009 - Sep 2018

What is an electorate officer? It's likely a job title you've not heard before. Different jurisdictions have different names for these people, but essentially they are the people who work for our elected parliamentary representatives (both state and federal). The precise roles of electorate officers can vary greatly, depending on the needs of a particular Member of Parliament and their community. However, I once heard MP's offices described as 'shopfronts for democracy'. And that's a pretty good description for them and for the role of electorate officers - they help make democracy real for people. You act as a conduit between the elected MP and the people who make up their electorate (constituents).

As an electorate officer, you are often the first point of contact for someone wishing to raise a matter with the MP. Your duty is to accurately represent the attitudes and perspectives of the MP to those in their community. A lot of time is spent advocating for people who need assistance with navigating their way through government - whether it's getting financial assistance, helping to resolve a dispute, having a cracked footpath fixed, or even advocating for policy and legislative changes. People will often contact their MP as a first resort; looking for advice on how to handle a matter, or as a last resort; having tried but been unsuccessful in resolving an issue. So, having good working relationships across a range of local, state and federal departments, and knowing how to leverage those relationships, is often key to helping achieve results for those who contact the office needing assistance.

Another big aspect of the role is communicating with the MP's electorate. This could be to receive feedback on government performance, to raise awareness of government initiatives, or just to highlight matters of importance in the local community. This involves using a wide range of communication strategies - including social media, letterbox drops, direct mail, media statements, phone calling and, on occasion, doorknocking.

Responsibilities

During my time as an electorate officer, I did a bit of everything. But here are some of the key responsibilities I had:

• General office management duties including processing invoices, upkeep and maintenance of office equipment, ensuring adequate supplies of office consumables, assisting with delegation of tasks to staff and volunteers.

• Processing of large volumes of correspondence (including emails, letters and messages through social media pages).

• Drafting correspondence for signature by the MP on a wide range of matters, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.

• Facilitating access to government information. Where necessary I would seek government information through Freedom of Information processes, including appealing agency decisions where necessary and appearance at the VCAT where required.

• Development and implementation of communications strategies and producing communication material including media engagement, and distribution of digital and printed communication material.

• I was responsible for production of a monthly newsletter which would be sent to the entire electorate (approximately 26,000 households), including writing, editing, graphical design, and organising printing and postage.

• I would be tasked with conducting research and analysis of a range of issues. For example, researching upcoming legislation for debate in Parliament - including the impact on the local electorate and the attitudes and opinions of the electorate on particular legislative reform.

• Developing proposals for legislative change or policy reform, including drafting up discussion papers, policy statements.

• Case management for people who would contact the office requiring assistance. From the first point of contact to the last, and providing them with updates along the way as resolution of their issue progressed. Depending on the complexity of the matter, this could take days, weeks or in some cases months or years. a key part of this process would be to manage the expectations of people so they would know what to expect.

• Where required, some issues would need to be escalated and handled directly by the MP. I would need to ensure the MP was properly briefed on the issue and suggested approaches for next steps.

• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders including community groups, government departments, other MP offices and ministerial staff.

Achievements

There are a few things which stand out as achievements during my time here:

• I assisted in developing policy reform proposals to assist children with dyslexia and autism within the Victorian education system - including recognition of dyslexia as a condition capable of receiving government support.

• I spearheaded a campaign to win public support for the redevelopment of a local secondary college which had fallen into a state of disrepair. This campaign was successful and ultimately resulted in a government commitment to completely rebuild the school.