I know, weird title I didn't know how to title it.

I have wondered this for a while and when I saw a segment on Sunrise this week it made me ponder a bit further.

A couple wer on sunrise lobying to have the law changed to reflect an unborn babies status (their baby had died in a car crash and the person could not be charged with death of the unborn baby)

I want to go about having the government provide more funding and better programs for eating disorder sufferers, particularly in the ACT where a review has shown that it falls short of what is needed.

So how do you go about it, is it a case of contacting the media and anybody else until somebody who needs to listen does?

I wish I knew Heather, I'd be on somebody's back about changing the RIDICULOUS Victorian laws RE: fertility treatment and child protection order checks. Or the withdrawal of so much funding from IVF...

*Backs slowly away from soap box*

Now that IS Another soap box that needs to be stepped on...nationwide.

Heather, maybe start by contacting some of the ED associations around the country and see if they are doing any active lobbying that you can assist with, or - use as a model for lobbying in ACT?

Not much help, sorry - just a thought.

Oh yeah, there would be a lot of people on that box with you Tash.

Heather I think it really depends on the issue. There's power in numbers, so getting involved with advocacy groups is good. Like with eating disorders, the Butterfly Foundation would be your go-to. You can write letters to MPs or to media outlets. Depends I guess if it's mainly about awareness. If there is a particular area of funding or legislation, then directly target that. Groups like Get Up could help. Or try Collective Shout for media body image stuff. Even online petitions. Organising rallies and campaigns is much easier with the Internet.

For awareness or attention to the cause you can also use forums and blogs to spread the word. Let me know if I can help in anyway through my blog.

Can I add to the list that I would really love the baby bonus NOW to use for my IVF treatments then may be I might get a child at the end of it instead of using all my hard earned money and getting nothing!!!

That was all jumbled but what I am trying to say is they give so much money to people who can easily fall pregnant and have babies but are cutting everything for people who can't BUT want us to raise the baby numbers

Here here - totally agree

HEATHER - I think your local member is a good start for changing laws since laws are made by politicians. There are many laws that can be made to help eating disorders such as how body image is portrayed in the media etc. for more funding also your local member.

an email coudl be started re the issues you want to address or issue. with a request that peopel write to their local members with recommended wording to help them out

then rallies where politicians are meeting up etc

Ive seen this in action to stop sell offs of public assets - unions do this well.

Louise