Modes Of Address - Politicians

Updated - 6.00 PM EST, Monday 10 June 1996

HONORIFICS

The titles that occur in parliaments are 'The Right Honourable' and 'The Honourable'.

The style 'The Right Honourable' is accorded when a Senator or Member is appointed a member of the Privy Council, an appointment and title retained for life.

The style 'The Honourable' is accorded to:

Executive Councillors (on appointment Ministers and Assistant Ministers become Executive Councillors; title retained for life)
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Ministers of State Governments
Presidents and Members of the Legislative Councils
Speakers of Legislative Assemblies

It is also used when a Senator or Member was formerly a Minister, or has served three years in office in any of the following positions:

President of the Senate or State Legislative Councils
Speaker of the House of Representatives or State Legislative Assemblies

MODES OF ADDRESS

COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT

Position        President of the Senate
Envelope        Senator the Honourable John Smith
Salutation      Dear Mr President

Position        Speaker of the House of Representatives
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MP
                Speaker of the House of Representatives
Salutation      Dear Mr Speaker

Position        Prime Minister
Envelope        The [Right] Honourable John Smith, MP
                Prime Minister
Salutation      Dear Prime Minister

Position        Minister (Senate) 
Envelope        Senator the [Right] Honourable John Smith
                Minister for ...
Salutation      Dear Minister

Position        Minister (House of Representatives)
Envelope        The [Right] Honourable John Smith, MP
                Minister for ...
Salutation      Dear Minister

Position        Senator
Envelope        Senator (or Senator the [Right] Honourable John Smith
Salutation      Dear Senator Smith

Position        Member of the House of Representatives
Envelope        Mr/Mrs (or the [Right] Honourable) John Smith, MP
Salutation      Dear Mr / Mrs Smith

STATE GOVERNMENT

Position        Premier
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLA, MP or MHA *
                Premier of ...
Salutation      Dear Premier

Position        Minister (Legislative Council) 
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLC
                Minister for ...
Salutation      Dear Minister

Position        Minister (Legislative Assembly) 
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLA, MP or MHA *
                Minister for ...
Salutation      Dear Minister

Position        President of a Legislative Council
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLC
                President of the Legislative Council
Salutation      Dear Mr President

Position        Speaker of a Legislative Assembly
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLA, MP or MHA *
                Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Salutation      Dear Mr Speaker

Position        Member of a Legislative Council
Envelope        The Honourable John Smith, MLC
Salutation      Dear Mr / Mrs Smith

Position        Member of a Legislative Assembly
Envelope        Mr / Mrs John Smith,MLA, MP or MHA *
Salutation      Dear Mr / Mrs Smith

All letters are signed (conclusion) with Yours faithfully.

*  MLA - Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia
   MP - Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Federal
   MHA - Tasmania, ACT

Prepared by James Nunn ([email protected])