Will Your MP Meet the Dalai Lama in Parliament? Print E-mail

Updated: 2 June 2011
Over the past week, 75 out of the 150 MPs have received your letters. Thank you for speaking out for Tibet. Please email or call your MP today if you have not had a chance yet - we still have to reach out to the remaining 75 MPs.

12 May 2011
During our frequent lobbying trips to Canberra, we have been amazed to learn what an impact a meeting with the Dalai Lama can have on a politician. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be in Australia next month, and no doubt you are eagerly waiting for his arrival. As part of his exciting itinerary during his stay from 9 to 20 June, His Holiness will be visiting Parliament House in Canberra. A special parliamentary reception will be hosted in his honour on 14 June. We are asking you to seize this great opportunity to help build political support for Tibet in our parliament.

Please send an email to ask your local MP to attend this important reception by following these simple steps.

It is a rare occasion to have our nation’s decision makers in the same room as the Dalai Lama. They will be able to learn more about the Tibet issue and to hear His Holiness’ insights into the human values of compassion and non-violence and global issues such as universal responsibility and the environment, all of which the Dalai Lama champions across the world.

This is our moment, our chance to get our politicians to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As a constituent, you are in a unique position to help make this happen.

And it’s easy to do by clicking here.

One of the newest members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet became interested in Tibet after attending a similar reception with the Dalai Lama in Parliament House back in 2007. That was the last time His Holiness was in Canberra. We have seen many new faces in the Parliament since.

We have written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott asking them to meet the Dalai Lama. We will keep you informed on their responses. China will be closely watching this visit and, in all likelihood, will put pressure on our parliamentarians not to meet His Holiness. So it is important for each one of us to reinforce to our elected representatives the importance to us of them meeting the Dalai Lama.

Let’s call on our leaders to share a special moment with the Dalai Lama.

Instructions to email your MP:

    alt If you know the name of your Federal MP open this link: Alphabetical List of Members for contact details

    alt If you only know the name of your electorate, open this link: Alphabetical List of Electorates and click on your electorate for your MP’s contact details

    alt If you do not know the name of your MP or your electorate, open this link: Find my electorate and enter your postcode or location

    alt Once your have your MP’s email address, write your own message or copy and paste the letter below. Please cc your email to tibetcouncil@atc.org.au so that we can track which MPs are contacted.

    If you have any problem finding your MP, call us on 02-9283 3466 for help.
Dear [Insert MP’s name]

The Dalai Lama is visiting Parliament House on 14 June, 2011 and I understand that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet will host a reception for him. Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to hear from the Dalai Lama and to discuss issues from China-Tibet relations to universal responsibility and the environment. I am writing to request you to attend this special meeting with the Dalai Lama.

As a constituent in your electorate, the meeting between you and the Dalai Lama is important to me. Nationally, we are fiercely debating issues such as climate change and refugees. Internationally, we are seeing sweeping changes and a rise in the movement for democracy. The meeting would allow you to share thoughts with the Dalai Lama - an advocate for the human values of freedom and democracy, and compassion and tolerance.

The Dalai Lama is also a spokesperson of the Tibetan people, working to find a mutually beneficial solution with China. As an Australian believing in justice and non-violence, I would be happy if you could ask the Dalai Lama a question on how we can help him achieve this.

You may also be aware that the Dalai Lama recently announced his intention to transfer his political power to an elected leader in exile. The recent election of his political successor is being hailed as a huge success for his vision of democratising the Tibetan society.

I understand that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet will send you an invitation in the coming weeks. Please contact the office of Mr Michael Danby, MP, convenor of the group, for more details.

Once again, I request you to avail yourself of the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama.

Sincerely,
[Add your name]