It’s time to start writing your letters to ‘The West Australian’.  State Parliament is returning next week and we need to make sure that our rights are not forgotten in the midst of all the excitement over deciding between “moving forward” and an “action plan”.

It is important for us all to make an effort over the next few days even if it is just an SMS or email.  We have drafted a letter that you can work from if you do not have the time to write your own but I would urge everyone to take the time to express themselves.  The drafted letter is below.

With the Federal election campaign in full swing many helpful organisations are short on time and money.  More than ever we can rely only on ourselves to have our opinion heard.

HOW DO YOU SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR?

→ All letters must be signed with the writer’s full name and address and, if applicable, telephone number. ADDRESSES WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED Send them to Letters to the Editor, WA Newspapers, GPO Box N1027, Perth WA, 6843. Fax 9482 3830 or

→ EMAIL: letters@wanews.com.au (include full address and telephone number- WHICH WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED). Keep them short and keep copies. They may be edited for Legal reasons or clarity.

→ QUICK SMS OPTION: You can now send text messages and photos for publication on the letters pages. Simply SMS to 0434 600 700 and be sure to include your name and suburb.

SAMPLE LETTER

To the Editor,

In the midst of a federal election campaign it is often all too easy to forget that the wheels of state government keep turning.  However there is one particular issue that cannot be overlooked as we begin a new sitting of the WA Parliament.

The proposed Criminal Investigation Amendment Bill 2009, usually known as the ‘stop and search laws’ is still in the Legislation Committee.  This delay is due to the evidence given from all sectors against the laws, and widespread public opposition such as was represented by the parliamentary petition presented by Search For Your Rights on April 20th.

However I fear that the Premier may attempt to pressure the Committee into handing down a finding while the public is looking the other way.  I fear that the government will push for the laws without the proper scrutiny that such an imprecise and controversial bill demands.  The Premier himself suggested as much at the end of June to the Police Union Conference.

I abhor this bill.  The police already have many powers to search people- all that this legislation will do is create the opportunity for unreasonable searches.  I respect the police force, and do not want their work to be hindered by those who will inevitably abuse these powers and create animosity within Perth society.

I am sick of the Police Minister claiming to act on my behalf when instead he tramples over our rights in a rush to look ‘tough on crime’ by pushing a bill that will in fact do nothing to prevent crime.   Crime is down. (‘WA crime rate down, say police’, The West Australian, July 24).  The Police Minister should be supporting the police in what is clearly already working, not creating flawed legislation that will harm all of us.

I urge you and your publication to maintain a high level of scrutiny on the Barnett government during this parliamentary sitting.  Do not let our rights be quietly legislated away.

Yours truly,

Your name and address here.