By Anita Koochew
With news of a Federal Election approaching, now is an ideal time for community members to strengthen their understanding of Australia’s parliamentary system.
The You, Me and MPs Toolkit is a resource developed by Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) in collaboration with the Parliament of Victoria, and is a valuable resource designed to empower community members to engage with the democratic process.
Co-created with community members, local Members of Parliament and Electorate Officers, the toolkit aims to empower individuals to navigate the parliamentary
system and confidently engage with their local MPs, fostering a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
Key features include animated videos explaining government roles, interviews with community members and parliamentary staff, and practical tools for engaging
effectively with government representatives.
Designed in close collaboration with multicultural and multifaith communities to bridge information gaps and encourage active participation, the toolkit is a valuable
resource for all Australians to engage more meaningfully in democracy.
To ensure accessibility, the Toolkit is also available in multiple languages, including Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Falam Chin, Farsi, Hakka
Chin, Karen, Vietnamese and Zomi.
The Toolkit can be accessed here: engagingcommunities.eclc.org.au
You Me and MPs fosters inclusion and equality by equipping community members with knowledge and practical tools to address systemic barriers and promote meaningful democratic engagement, reflecting ECLC’s commitment to inclusive and empowered communities.
If you or someone you know requires free legal help, please contact ECLC at 1300 32 52 00, request an appointment at eclc.org.au/help or email at eclc@eclc.org.au
