Effective government relations hinge on building solid, long-term relationships with elected representatives from all political backgrounds. This guide aims to simplify the process by providing a detailed breakdown of how to address Members of Parliament across Australia, from the Prime Minister to state and territory members.
What this guide will cover
- Federal Government: How to address the Prime Minister, Ministers, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Senators, and Members.
- States: Guidelines for addressing state Premiers, Ministers, Speakers, and members of state parliaments.
- Territories: Guidelines for addressing Chief Ministers and members of territory parliaments.
Federal Government
How to address Members of Parliament written and orally
How to Address Members of Parliament
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Prime Minister |
The Hon. Anthony Albanese, MP, Prime Minister of Australia |
Dear Prime Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Prime Minister or Mr Albanese |
| Minister (Senate) |
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister or Senator |
| Minister (House) |
The Hon. Mark Butler, MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister or Mr Butler |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, MP, Attorney-General |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney |
| Assistant Minister (Senate) |
Senator the Hon. Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy |
Dear Assistant Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister or Senator |
| Assistant Minister (House) |
The Hon. Dr Anne Aly, MP, Assistant Minister for Youth |
Dear Assistant Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister or Dr Aly |
| Senator |
Senator Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland |
Dear Senator |
Yours faithfully |
Senator or Senator Waters |
| Member (House) |
Mr Peter Khalil, MP / Ms Angie Bell, MP |
Dear Sir or Dear Mr Khalil / Dear Madam or Dear Ms Bell |
Yours faithfully |
Mr Khalil / Ms Bell |
| President of the Senate (Formal) |
Senator the Hon. Sue Lines, President of the Senate |
Dear President |
Yours faithfully |
President |
| President of the Senate (Electoral) |
Senator the Hon Sue Lines or Senator the Hon. S Lines |
Dear Senator or Senator Lines |
Yours faithfully |
Senator |
| Speaker of the House (Formal) |
The Hon. Mr Dick, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives |
Dear Mr Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr Speaker |
| Speaker of the House (Electoral) |
The Hon. Mr Dick, MP |
Dear Mr Dick |
Yours faithfully |
Mr Speaker |
State Parliaments
The parliaments of all states except Queensland (QLD) are 'bicameral', meaning they have two chambers:
- The Legislative Council – also known as the 'upper house'
- The Legislative Assembly (NSW, VIC, WA) or House of Assembly (SA, TAS) – also known as the 'lower house'
Queensland, the ACT, and the NT have 'unicameral' parliaments, meaning they have one chamber: the Legislative Assembly.
Use of Correct Post-Nominal
Members of state parliaments use the following post-nominals:
- MLC (Member of the Legislative Council)
- MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly)
- MP (Member of the Legislative Assembly or Member of the House of Assembly).
Rules for Using Correct Post-Nominal:
- Use MLC for members of the Legislative Council of NSW, SA, Tas, Vic, and WA.
- Use MLA for members of the Legislative Assembly of ACT, NT, and WA.
- Use MP for members of the Legislative Assembly of NSW, Qld, and Vic.
- Use MP for members of the House of Assembly of SA and Tas.
Examples:
- The Hon Nicolas Pierre Goiran, MLC
- Ms Tara Cheyne, MLA
- Mr Danny O'Brien, MP
- Dr Amy MacMahon, MP
If a parliamentarian has other post-nominals, such as civilian and military honours or educational and professional qualifications, write these in the same way the parliamentarian does. If you need clarification, check with the parliamentarian's office.
Formal and Informal Correspondence
For formal emails and letters, open with 'Dear [Title]' and conclude with 'Yours faithfully'. For less formal correspondence, conclude with 'Yours sincerely'.
New South Wales (NSW)
How to Address Members of Parliament in NSW
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon. [Name] MP, Premier of New South Wales |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon. [Name] [MP or MLC] , Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney General |
The Hon.[Name] MP, Attorney General of New South Wales |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney or Minister |
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
The Hon. [Name] MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| President of the Legislative Council |
The Hon. [Name] MLC, President of the Legislative Council of NSW |
Dear Mr/Madam President |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam President |
| MP |
[Name] MP |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
| MLC |
[Name] MLC |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Queensland (QLD)
How to Address Members of Parliament in QLD
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon [Name], MP, Premier of Queensland |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon [Name], MP, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon.[Name] MP, Attorney General of Queensland |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney or Minister |
| Speaker |
The Hon [Name], MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| MP |
[Name], MP |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Victoria (VIC)
How to Address Members of Parliament in Victoria
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon. [Name], MP, Premier of Victoria |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon. [Name], MP, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon.[Name] [MP or MLC], Attorney General of Victoria |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney or Minister |
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
The Hon. [Name], MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| President of the Legislative Council |
The Hon. [Name], MLC, President of the Legislative Council |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam President |
| MLC |
The Hon. [Name], MLC |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
| MP |
[Name], MP |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Western Australia (WA)
How to Address Members of Parliament in Western Australia
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon [Name], MLA, Premier of Western Australia |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon [Name], MLA/MLC, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon.[Name] MLA, Attorney General of Western Australia |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney or Minister |
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
The Hon [Name], MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| President of the Legislative Council |
The Hon [Name], MLC, President of the Legislative Council |
Dear Mr/Madam President |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam President |
| MLC |
[Name], MLC |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
| MLA |
[Name], MLA |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
South Australia (SA)
How to Address Members of Parliament in South Australia
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon. [Name], MP, Premier of South Australia |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon. [Name], MP, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon. [Name][MP or MLC], Attorney General of South Australia |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Speaker of the House Assembly |
The Hon [Name], MP, Speaker of the House of Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| President of the Legislative Council |
The Hon [Name], MLC, President of the Legislative Council |
Dear Mr/Madam President |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam President |
| MLC |
[Name], MLC |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
| MP |
[Name], MP |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Tasmania (TAS)
How to Address Members of Parliament in Tasmania
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Premier |
The Hon [Name], MP, Premier of Tasmania |
Dear Premier |
Yours faithfully |
Premier |
| Minister |
The Hon [Name], MP, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Attorney-General |
The Hon [Name] MP, Attorney-General of Tasmania |
Dear Attorney |
Yours faithfully |
Attorney |
| Speaker of the House of Assembly |
The Hon [Name], MP, Speaker of the House of Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| President of the Legislative Council |
The Hon [Name] MLC, President of the Legislative Council |
Dear Mr/Madam President |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam President |
| MLC |
[Name], MLC |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
| MP |
[Name], MP |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Territorial Parliaments
Office holders in the ACT Legislative Assembly don't use the title 'Honourable'. Ministers in the ACT have more than one portfolio, so address them using the ministerial title appropriate to the topic.
Use 'Honourable' when addressing:
- Chief Minister and Ministers in the NT
- Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in the NT
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
How to Address Members of Parliament in the ACT
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Chief Minister |
[Appropriate Title] [Name] MLA, Chief Minister of the ACT |
Dear Chief Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Chief Minister |
| Minister |
[Appropriate Title] [Name] MLA, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Speaker |
[Appropriate Title] [Name] MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| MLA |
[Name] MLA |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Northern Territory (NT)
How to Address Members of Parliament in the Northern Territory
| Title |
Envelope |
Salutation |
Conclusion |
How to Address Orally |
| Chief Minister |
The Hon [Name] MLA, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory |
Dear Chief Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Chief Minister |
| Minister |
The Hon [Name] MLA, Minister for [Portfolio] |
Dear Minister |
Yours faithfully |
Minister |
| Speaker |
The Hon [Name] MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
Dear Mr/Madam Speaker |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Madam Speaker |
| MLA |
[Name] MLA |
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
Yours faithfully |
Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name] |
This guide aims to be a comprehensive resource for addressing politicians across Australia. Building relationships is the foundation of all GR efforts. It requires ongoing investment, and it is crucial to maintain high professionalism and respect when engaging with members of parliament.
