Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise to speak as the new Chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions for the 48th Parliament.

I present the first report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament, together with 107 petitions and 53 ministerial responses to petitions presented previously.

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS COMMITTE E

REPORT No. 01

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

25 August 2025

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP

Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP

Ms Emma Comer MP

Ms Trish Cook MP

Mr Rowan Holzberger MP

Mr Llew O'Brien MP

Ms Tracey Roberts MP

Mr Andrew Wallace MP

This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives

Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.

The previous committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 26 March 2025.

1. The committee resolved to present the following 104 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:

Petitions certified on 26 March 2025

From 20 petitioners—regarding laws related to hate speech (EN7155)

From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of tobacco excise duty rates and regulations (EN7158)

From 7 petitioners—requesting that the House move a motion of no confidence (EN7159)

From 32 petitioners—requesting an increase to the JobSeeker payment

(EN7161)

From 156 petitioners—requesting that transcripts of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia be made available at no cost (EN7162)

From 8046 petitioners—requesting that Australia provide asylum for members of LGBTIQ+ communities from the United States (EN7163)

From 6 petitioners—requesting the establishment of regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence (EN7165)

From 10 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a regulatory authority for artificial intelligence (EN7166)

From 3 petitioners—regarding the recognition of gender identities (EN7167)

From 8 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a publicly-owned internet service provider (EN7168)

From 8 petitioners—requesting that celiac disease be recognized as a listed condition under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN7170)

From 7 petitioners—requesting an extension to Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) timeframes (EN7172)

From 7 petitioners—requesting that politicians be required to undertake tolerance training (EN7173)

From 10 petitioners—requesting that the Minerals Resource Rent Tax be reinstated (EN7174)

From 22 petitioners—requesting foreign policy that supports scientific integrity and independence (EN7175)

From 8 petitioners—requesting that section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 be reconsidered (EN7176)

From 2617 petitioners—requesting reform of the family law system

(EN7179)

From 38 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on all government financial arrangements with foreign entities (EN7180)

From 17 petitioners—requesting changes to natural gas taxation to improve revenue collection (EN7181)

From 10 petitioners—requesting changes to tax rules affecting exempted companies and large businesses (EN7182)

From 5 petitioners—regarding processing times for Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) applications (EN7183)

From 3 petitioners—requesting legal protections for beneficiaries of deceased company directors (EN7184)

From 343 petitioners—requesting increased capacity for eating disorder treatment in South Australia (EN7187)

From 16 petitioners—requesting a ban on baiting large mammals for culling or eradication (EN7188)

From 17 petitioners—requesting a medical imaging licence be approved to enable publicly funded magnetic scans in the electorate of Oxley (EN7189)

From 4 petitioners—requesting funding and support to expand renewable energy infrastructure (EN7191)

From 14 petitioners—requesting discounts on basic groceries for concession card holders at major supermarkets (EN7193)

From 4 petitioners—requesting diplomatic action on human rights and democracy issues in Pakistan (EN7194)

From 7 petitioners—requesting prohibition of the broadcasting of Al-Jazeera through the Special Broadcasting Service (EN7195)

From 450 petitioners—requesting financial services legislation amendments and an inquiry into the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (EN7196)

From 20 petitioners—requesting that insulin pumps be funded through Medicare (EN7198)

From 8 petitioners—requesting COVID-19 vaccine injury compensation and policy reform (EN7199)

From 7 petitioners—requesting Australian Government-sponsored per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances blood testing for Blue Mountains residents (EN7201)

From 9 petitioners—requesting reforms to governance, free speech and privacy protections, immigration, taxation and firearms regulations (EN7202)

From 3 petitioners—requesting wage increases for construction apprentices to increase the construction workforce (EN7204)

From 2 petitioners—requesting that the burning of incense be banned to address indoor pollution and respiratory risks (EN7206)

From 6 petitioners—requesting aged care facility fee reform (EN7208)

From 25 petitioners—requesting changes to visa processing to address long processing times (EN7209)

From 70 petitioners—requesting constitutional reform to protect free speech and freedom of the press (EN7210)

From 3 petitioners—requesting that Parent Sponsor visa holders be permitted to work and undertake small business activities (EN7211)

From 5 petitioners—requesting more affordable housing and employment opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers (EN7213)

From 7 petitioners—requesting increased funding for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy (EN7214)

From 4 petitioners—requesting rules to require transparency around the use of artificial intelligence in hiring processes (EN7215)

From 22 petitioners—requesting removal of the income and assets tests for the Age Pension (EN7216)

From 15 petitioners—requesting that psychiatrists and psychologists be required to offer bulk billing (EN7217)

From 6 petitioners—requesting reforms to gene technology and biosecurity regulation in response to artificial intelligence (EN7218)

From 4 petitioners—requesting better funding and more classrooms for schools (EN7220)

From 5 petitioners—requesting that taxes on tobacco and alcoholic beverages be reduced (EN7223)

From 17 petitioners—requesting increased funding for support services for men in crisis to prevent homelessness (EN7225)

From 16 petitioners—requesting reforms to improve transparency and good governance (EN7226)

From 5041 petitioners—requesting that obstetrics and gynaecology be included in a private health insurance risk equalisation framework (EN7227)

From 8 petitioners—requesting that Australia end all trade deals with the United States and exit the AUKUS agreement (EN7228)

From 10 petitioners—requesting enhanced consumer protections for airline passengers (EN7231)

From 7 petitioners—requesting a review of the Disability Employment Services program (EN7233)

From 12 petitioners—requesting action on trails left by planes in the stratosphere (EN7234)

From 8 petitioners—requesting reforms to the oath of affirmation or allegiance made by Members of Parliament (EN7235)

From 6 petitioners—requesting action against foreign property investors

(EN7238)

From 2525 petitioners—requesting regulation of the brightness and height of vehicle headlights (EN7242)

From 14 petitioners—requesting that the social media platform X be banned

(EN7243)

From 119 petitioners—requesting that weighted blankets and toys be made eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme funding (EN7247)

From 17 petitioners—requesting changes to section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (EN7249)

From 16 petitioners—requesting that pay rates for Members of Parliament be tied to national median wages, and other reforms (EN7250)

From 61 petitioners—requesting that the House pass legislation requiring truthfulness in political advertising (EN7252)

From 8 petitioners—requesting a mandatory ethical framework for artificial intelligence (EN7253)

From 2723 petitioners—requesting that United States President Donald Trump and his associates be banned from entering Australia (EN7254)

From 54 petitioners—requesting termination of the AUKUS agreement

(EN7257)

From 16 petitioners—requesting that Australia Day be moved to the 19th of January to celebrate Australia's Federation in 1901 (EN7260)

From 5 petitioners—requesting the creation of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Forster Tuncurry area (EN7263)

From 6 petitioners—requesting that Australia's largest corporations be made to pay mandatory employee bonuses based on profit margins (EN7264)

From 12 petitioners—requesting prohibition of imports of military equipment from the United States (EN7265)

From 13 petitioners—requesting changes to Australia's defence strategy and role in global security (EN7267)

From 10 petitioners—requesting that tobacco and alcohol taxes be revoked and that marijuana be legalised (EN7269)

From 11 petitioners—requesting reforms to the legislation governing child support assessments (EN7270)

From 114 petitioners—requesting reforms to the training of assistance dogs and a public education campaign on their access rights (EN7271)

From 164 petitioners—requesting that Fee-HELP loan fees charged to students at the National Art School be rescinded and refunded (EN7274)

From 11 petitioners—requesting reforms to ensure a more just and humane immigration system (EN7277)

From 36 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into supermarket prices and the conduct of major retailers (EN7282)

From 9 petitioners—requesting expedited processing of refugee visa applications by Syrian families fleeing conflict (EN7285)

From 1718 petitioners—requesting actions to address violence against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria (EN7286)

From 25 petitioners—requesting a review into security and privacy concerns about the Starlink satellite network (EN7287)

From 10 petitioners—requesting a review of funding for programs to address the root causes of youth crime (EN7289)

From 9 petitioners—requesting funding for enhanced defence and peacekeeping cooperation with the United Nations and NATO (EN7292)

From 5 petitioners—requesting that the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles be extended (EN7293)

From 9 petitioners—requesting an artificial intelligence non-proliferation treaty and other regulatory action on artificial intelligence (EN7296)

From 10 petitioners—requesting that parents of children aged 0-5 years be supported to care for children at home rather than in daycare (EN7297)

From 53 petitioners—requesting stronger enforcement of tax and royalty payments by mining companies (EN7300)

From 8 petitioners—requesting improved mobile phone infrastructure in Bangalow, New South Wales (EN7301)

From 16 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Bureau of Statistics report modal averages for Australian household income (EN7304)

From 7 petitioners—requesting funding for collaboration with the NATO Climate Initiative (EN7311)

From 3 petitioners—requesting action on the underpayment of employees by Lifeguard Services Australia (EN7312)

From 37 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Medicare rebate for psychiatrist appointments (EN7314)

From 25 petitioners—requesting the creation of a strategic alliance with Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (EN7317)

From 107 petitioners—requesting stronger penalties for false accusations against men, and reforms to support men facing domestic violence (EN7318)

From 122 petitioners—requesting that free reusable sanitary products be provided for schoolgirls (EN7320)

From 67 petitioners—requesting that the Prime Minister's salary be reduced to the national minimum wage (EN7321)

From 84 petitioners—requesting that medical services for women with pelvic pain be bulk billed or free of charge (EN7322)

From 3 petitioners—requesting the deportation of a visiting social media influencer (EN7326)

From 56 petitioners—requesting reforms to give National Disability Insurance Scheme participants the right and ability to live alone (EN7327)

From 21 petitioners—requesting the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on imports from the United States (EN7332)

From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to prohibited imports rules to enable easier importation of Airsoft equipment (EN7333)

From 30 petitioners—requesting that June be officially recognised as Men's Mental Health Awareness Month (EN7336)

From 84 petitioners—requesting that nirsevimab be added to the National Immunisation Schedule or made accessible via private prescription (EN7337)

From 5447 petitioners—requesting that Australia withdraw from the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (EN7339)

From 110 petitioners—requesting that Ministerial Direction No. 105 for prioritising skilled visa applications be reconsidered (EN7341)

The new committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 20 August 2025.

2. The committee resolved to present the following three petitions in accordance with standing order 207:

Petitions certified on 20 August 2025

From 569 petitioners—requesting that financial support for the Suicide Prevention Research Fund be continued beyond June 2025 (PN0638)

From 57 petitioners—requesting a review of specific immigration applications made under section 195A of the Migration Act 1958 (PN0639)

From 1378 petitioners—requesting support for humanitarian options in International Criminal Court proceedings involving the former President of the Philippines (PN0640)

3. The following 53 ministerial responses to petitions were received.

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 20 August 2025

From the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting that the IPCC Climate Change recommendations be implemented into legislation (EN4156)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition regarding parliamentary reform (EN4552)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding fossil fuel production (EN4984)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the restoration of the original phrasing of the Australian National Anthem (EN5507)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting legislation to ban individuals from flying flags that are not the Australian or Aboriginal flags (EN5563)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting national implementation of a law to allow families of critically ill patients to call for immediate intervention (EN6573)

From the Minister for Resources to a petition requesting the creation of a circular economy for lead (EN6714)

From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition regarding the policies, operations and structure of Uber (EN6728)

From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition requesting an increase to the Child Care Subsidy cap for families of children with disability (EN6731)

From the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury to a petition requesting the inclusion of Yazidi language, religion and ethnicity as distinct categories in the 2026 Australian Census (EN6775)

From the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting mandatory labelling of palm oil on products sold in Australia (EN6792)

From the Minister Assisting the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting that remedial massage therapists be recognised as National Disability Insurance Scheme providers (EN6823)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding social media minimum age limits (EN6838)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding social media minimum age limits (EN6840)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding social media minimum age limits (EN6856)

From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting changes to employment conditions for casual workers (EN6860)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the establishment of an independent commission to oversee the private health system (EN6877)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding social media minimum age limits (EN6889)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that the School Student Broadband Initiative be extended (EN6903)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting support for a gamba grass eradication program in the Northern Territory (EN6909)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting improvements to telecommunications infrastructure and coverage in Coomera Waters, Queensland (EN6913)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the affordability of mental health-related medications (EN6918)

From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting that tobacco excise rates be reduced (EN6919)

From the Special Minister of State to a petition requesting an inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024 (EN6924)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the implementation of a uniform domestic violence disclosure scheme across all Australian jurisdictions (EN6927)

From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting that three- dimensional paramedical tattooing be included in the Medicare Benefits Schedule for people who have undergone breast reconstruction after a mastectomy (EN6928)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that the construction of a National Broadband Network telecommunications tower be ceased (EN6973)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the simultaneous display of the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (EN7005)

From the Special Minister of State to a petition requesting the prohibition of corporate donations to political parties (EN7009)

From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition regarding long-term shortages of hormone replacement therapy patches (EN7012)

From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting that Youth Allowance and Austudy be made available to postgraduate research students (EN7022)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting that the date of Australia Day be changed (EN7023)

From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting support to assist homeowners to remove asbestos (EN7030)

From the Minister for Industry and Innovation to a petition requesting that the use of artificial intelligence in creative industries be prohibited (EN7040)

From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting changes to the way child support payments are calculated (EN7048)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that access to the social media platform X be prohibited (EN7075)

From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting that Partner Income Tests be abolished for recipients of Centrelink payments (EN7076)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that the speed and reliability of the National Broadband Network be increased (EN7086)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting that processing of renewable energy project applications be ceased (EN7087)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting action to address instances of antisemitism (EN7095)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting that Australia withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change (EN7104)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting an amendment to section

268.22 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 to include gender apartheid (EN7118)

From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition requesting the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (EN7119)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the establishment of a Bill of Rights (EN7131)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that cooperation with the United States be ceased (EN7139)

From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting that the sale and use of products containing metaldehyde be prohibited (EN7144)

From the Minister for Resources to a petition requesting that new oil and gas fracking projects be prohibited (EN7146)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding public access to National Parks (EN7147)

From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition regarding access to the National Diabetes Services Scheme for people living with cystic fibrosis- related diabetes (EN7148)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting urgent action on climate change (PN0561)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting stronger targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net- zero emissions (PN0628)

From the Minister for Government Services to a petition requesting a Services Australia kiosk in Numurkah, Victoria (PN0634)

From the Minister for Government Services to a petition requesting face-to- face Centrelink and Medicare services in Cobar, New South Wales (PN0635)

Ms Jodie Belyea MP

Chair—Petitions Committee

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