There are many different ways of lobbying, campaigning and petitioning. It is important that the different lobbying activities around an issue are co-ordinated to make sure they have the greatest impact. It is important that strategic thinking precedes your action.

These strategies can broadly be categorised into 2 groups:

• Inside lobbying
• Outside lobbying

Inside Lobbying

Inside lobbying includes a mix of the following:

• Holding meetings with decision-makers, such as local council representatives and members of parliament for your area
• Providing information to role-players, committees and government officials
• Making submissions to committee meetings/public hearings
• Attending hearings where policy is discussed
• Negotiating with decision-makers and other lobby groups
• Writing formal letters stating your position
• Submitting petitions to relevant committees
• Having discussions with people in informal situations, for example, before or after meetings, during social occasions

Outside Lobbying

If inside lobbying is not effective, you should mobilise more support for your issue through outside lobbying for example:

• Speaking to the media, holding news conferences, visiting news editors, helping reporters with stories
• Building alliances with other organisations
• Public letter-writing campaigns
• Public campaigns such as rallies and demonstrations