Anyone know Pollies responsibilities are to Constituents?

[Deleted]

On the Welfare Card thread on Nov 6th, I posted a letter sent to my local federal member and state senators. When writing submissions to Senate Inquiries we have the option to have them Private or Public and must provide our details!

Read more: dspoverseas.proboards.com/thread/4914/welfare-card-piece-rachel-siewert?page=26#ixzz50GRscFp6

My local member's site states, "If you want a Personal response, you must provide your details".

It is now a month since my letters were sent, all with my personal details attached so; does anyone know what the Legislation and or Policy is regarding non response from Federal Members?

As a constituent I find it totally unacceptable not to have responses when things are said, then not done. Isn't it their duty to respond to anyone writing to them as set out in their own guidelines and; if it isn't, why isn't it and to who do you make complaints?

Any input gratefully received, cheers bear. 

[Banjo]

As a long term writer to MPs and Senators I can only say that while most reply, a few don't.
A good percentage of the replies are worthless, they also don't like being reminded of past promises not carried out, then treasurer Wayne Swan ignored my request to explain the reduction of DSP portability in his budget after he had castigated the Howard govt for doing the same thing.
All I can say is that it's easier to get a response from the opposition MPs than those in power.
I had a long and I thought productive conversation with Mick Fifield a few years back and he's never replied to me since grasping the reins of power.

[Deleted]

Thanks Banjo! With a National as my local member, one Ken O'Dowd, what else could I expect I suppose. Remember him from a few years back castigating the unemployed from the bush.

[nomadic]

While you are spot on about the opposition more likely to reply banjo I had almost a zero response from politicians over the years in general. Just one story was when in opposition Tanya Pilbersek was all sympathy in her replies to me in person and even went to the then minister to get a response from him even if it was bulltish. Then when she got to be minister i got the biggest flip flop in history. Either no replies or Sorry but i can't help you as you are not in my electorate. The reversal in attitude towards me was truly amazing stuff of political treachery only.