Government inquiries present a policy window for advocates to influence policy. This article identifies, consolidates and presents a list of features that advocates should consider when writing submissions to government inquiry.  

Following an inquiry’s consultation process, which involves written and often verbal submissions from interested parties, a publicly available report that outlines key findings and recommendations for government action is often developed.

The extent to which advocates can influence government policy through written submissions to inquiries is uncertain, and although some studies have shown limited impact, well-written submissions are widely believed to be influential. To address this gap in knowledge, the authors identified which features the literature identifies as influential and record the presence of these features in submissions utilised in a government report following a recent inquiry in Australia. 

This study is the first to consolidate and present a list of features that advocates can consider incorporating when writing a submission to a government inquiry. Thirty features were identified. The most important of these indicate that advocates should:

1. ensure their submission is clear and concise
2. convey the authority of both the writer and supporting evidence; and 
3. where possible, align submission recommendations with the government agenda.