Public Submission to a Parliamentary Inquiry or Government Consultation
A structured framework for preparing relevant, evidence-based public submissions
Parliamentary inquiries, legislative reviews and government consultations provide opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities to contribute information, evidence, experience and recommendations to public decision-making.
This template helps you structure that contribution without predetermining what your submission must conclude.
Read the terms of reference, consultation paper, questions, submission requirements and deadline before deciding what your submission should say.
This resource may be used for parliamentary inquiries, government consultations, legislative reviews, committee processes and other formal opportunities for public submissions.
It can be adapted to issues involving nudism, naturism, public nudity, health and wellbeing, censorship, digital policy, discrimination, public-space management or other matters where NRE resources may be relevant.
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Before You Start Writing
Every inquiry and consultation is different. Check the official requirements before preparing your submission.
Official Title
Record the exact title of the inquiry, consultation or legislative review.
Terms of Reference
Identify the questions or terms of reference that the authority has actually asked submitters to address.
Deadline
Confirm the closing date, time zone and whether late submissions may be accepted.
Submission Rules
Check word or page limits, accepted file types, online forms, required declarations and attachment rules.
Publication
Check whether submissions are normally published and how personal information, names and contact details may be handled.
Confidentiality
If confidentiality is available or required, follow the authority's process rather than assuming your submission will remain private.
Evidence
Gather the research, legislation, official information and other material relevant to the questions you intend to address.
Your Capacity
Be clear whether you are submitting personally, professionally, academically, on behalf of an organisation or in another capacity.
Stay Within the Inquiry's Scope
A submission is generally stronger when it directly addresses the questions the inquiry or consultation has been established to examine.
Do not begin with a predetermined conclusion and attempt to force it into an unrelated consultation.
If only one part of an inquiry relates to your concern, identify that part and focus your submission accordingly.
Editable Public Submission Template
Adapt the structure below to the official requirements of the inquiry or consultation.
Inquiry / Consultation: [Official title]
Responsible Committee / Department: [Committee / Department / Authority]
Submission by: [Full Name / Organisation]
Terms of Reference Addressed: [Identify the relevant terms / questions]
Date: [Insert Date]
Contact: [Email Address / Phone, where required]
1. Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to [official inquiry / consultation title] .
This submission addresses [identify the specific terms of reference or consultation questions] .
I am making this submission as [an individual / researcher / organisation / community participant / professional / other] .
My relevant experience, interest or connection to this matter is:
[Briefly explain why you are contributing and any relevant experience, expertise or perspective]
This submission does not attempt to address matters outside the stated scope of the inquiry or consultation.
2. Executive Summary
This submission identifies the following principal matters:
This submission recommends:
3. Response to the Terms of Reference
Term of Reference / Question:
[Copy or accurately identify the relevant term of reference]
Response:
[Provide your analysis, evidence and position]
Where addressing multiple terms of reference, repeat this section for each relevant question.
4. Evidence & Supporting Information
The following evidence is relevant to the matters addressed in this submission:
Where evidence is limited, contested or preliminary, this should be identified rather than presenting uncertainty as established fact.
5. Analysis
Based on the material outlined above, the principal policy, legislative, regulatory or practical considerations are:
[Explain what the evidence indicates and why it is relevant to the inquiry]
Where alternative interpretations or significant limitations exist, identify them where relevant.
6. Lived or Practical Experience, Where Relevant
The following experience may assist the Committee or authority in understanding the practical effect of the issue:
[Describe relevant personal, professional, organisational or community experience]
This experience is provided as context and lived experience. It should not be interpreted as establishing that the same experience applies to all people or circumstances.
7. Recommendations
Based on the evidence and analysis presented in this submission, I respectfully recommend that the Committee / Government / responsible authority consider:
Each recommendation should relate directly to an issue established in the submission and, where possible, fall within the authority of the body conducting the inquiry or consultation.
8. Supporting Material
The following supporting documents are attached or referenced:
9. Conclusion
Thank you for considering this submission.
I respectfully ask that the evidence, experience and recommendations presented above be considered within the scope of the inquiry or consultation.
I would be willing to provide further information or clarification if requested and where appropriate.
Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Organisation, if applicable]
[City / State / Country]
[Contact details, where required]
Separate Evidence From Assertion
A public submission can contain argument and recommendations, but factual claims should be supported appropriately.
Distinguish between:
- peer-reviewed or published research;
- official government data and reports;
- legislation and regulatory material;
- survey findings;
- organisational analysis;
- international examples;
- personal or community experience;
- your own interpretation or recommendation.
International examples should be used carefully. A policy or legal approach operating in another jurisdiction does not necessarily apply under the laws, institutions or circumstances of the jurisdiction conducting the inquiry.
Where evidence does not establish a conclusion, say so.
Lived Experience Can Matter
Personal and community experiences can help decision-makers understand how laws, policies or institutional practices operate in real situations.
They can be particularly useful where an inquiry is expressly seeking lived experience.
However, one person's experience should not automatically be presented as evidence of what happens to everyone.
Explain what happened, when relevant, how it affected you or your community, and why it relates to the inquiry.
NRE Resources That May Support a Submission
Use only resources that are genuinely relevant to the inquiry or consultation you are addressing.
NICP Act
Model legislative framework concerning terminology, legal recognition, digital treatment and related policy questions.
Explore the NICP ActNRE Research
Research, surveys, data and evidence relating to nudism, naturism, stigma and associated public-policy questions.
Research HubStandardised Stigma Measure
NRE research examining stigma associated with nudism, naturism and related participation.
SSM Complete GuideNRE Health Institute
Health, wellbeing, research and institutional resources for submissions involving health-related questions.
NRE Health InstituteIndustry Standards
Voluntary governance framework addressing classification, transparency, safeguarding, privacy and accountability.
NRE Industry StandardsBefore You Submit
Complete a final check against the official inquiry or consultation requirements.
Public Use & Adaptation
This template is provided freely for public use. No copyright restrictions are attached to this template.
Individuals, organisations, researchers, advocacy groups and community participants may adapt it to suit the inquiry, consultation and jurisdiction involved.
Do not assume that the formatting or structure shown here satisfies the requirements of a particular parliamentary committee or government consultation.
Always follow the official submission instructions first.
Relevant. Evidence-Based. Within Scope.
A strong public submission does not need to address every issue.
It should answer the questions being asked, explain the evidence, identify relevant experience and make recommendations that the responsible authority can understand and assess.
Read the terms. Answer the questions. Support the claims.