Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a short statement on procedure. I inform the House that the Department of the House of Representatives will work with the Department of Parliamentary Services to develop an electronic petitions website and system for the House. This follows the recent government response to the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Petitions that the House establish an electronic petitions website and system under the administration of the House.

In its response the government supported the committee's recommendation and requested that the Speaker and the Department of the House of Representatives work towards implementing electronic petitioning within existing resources.

I anticipate that the electronic petition system will be available early in the new year. The work will be done within existing resources and will involve consultation with the petitions committee and the secretariat to ensure that the system meets requirements. Once the system is developed, I will update the House. The House will need to consider amendments to the standing orders to establish an e-petitions system for the House.