MPs' offices provide range of services

"Pollywaffle" column - 6 July 1995

Most readers will be aware that Members of Parliament and their offices are available to assist constituents with matters concerning legislation and government administration.

However, Members' offices also provide a range of other services which may be helpful to readers from time to time.

Members' offices can assist with applications for appointment of Justices of the Peace. The office of Justice of the Peace has been held in high regard for hundreds of years under the English and Australian legal systems.

These days the main role of Justices of the Peace is as witnesses of official or formal documents of various sorts. Individuals whose occupations or community activities bring them in touch with lots of people often take on this role as a service to the community.

Application for appointment as a Justice of the Peace requires provision of relevant personal details, and supporting nominations from three community based organisations or individuals of standing in the community.

Application forms can be obtained from the offices of Members of Parliament, and when the person being nominated is well known to the Member, the Member may also give one of the supporting nominations. Completed applications are then forwarded by the Member's office for consideration by an independent panel.

Nomination forms for the Order of Australia can also be obtained from the offices of Members of Parliament. Leading members of community organisations often arrange for one of them to nominate a member of the organisation who has given outstanding service to the community through that organisation. If the person being nominated is well known to the Member of Parliament, the Member may agree to be one of the referees.

The offices of Members of Parliament can also assist in ensuring that golden and diamond wedding anniversaries and 90th and 100th birthdays are appropriately recognised and congratulatory messages sent.

To make sure that someone's special occasion is recognised, the local Member of Parliament's office should be contacted a month in advance, and if possible a copy of the relevant birth certificate or marriage certificate provided, or if not available a Statutory Declaration as to the relevant facts. The Member of Parliament's office will then ensure that the occasion is drawn to the attention of the appropriate people.

Robert Clark.