Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the 28th report of the Petitions Committee for the 46th Parliament, together with 73 petitions and 96ministerial responses to petitions previously presented—you might need a forklift for them!

In the last sitting week I tabled the committee's report on its inquiry into petitioning security and accessibility. During this inquiry, the committee conducted a thorough examination of the security features of the House e-petitions system and considered what impact they had had on the public accessibility of petitioning.

The committee also considered whether additional security features, such as the use of official records to verify identity should be implemented, if an age requirement should be imposed on petitioning and whether the current practice of users self-declaring their Australian citizenship or residency was enough to uphold the legitimacy of the petitioning process.

Throughout the inquiry, the committee were particularly mindful of how any change to the system would impact on a person's democratic right to petition the House, and to ensure that the process for petitioning electronically was, as far as possible, no more onerous than signing or creating a paper petition by hand.

The committee's final report on the inquiry provides a thorough presentation and analysis of the evidence received, including from some international and domestic jurisdictions that support petitioning. In the report, the committee concluded that any proposed changes to the current system security or processes, beyond routine upgrades, would disadvantage certain cohorts of the community and diminish their right to accessible petitioning. The committee therefore made no recommendations for change, but instead will continue to monitor the current process and conduct reviews as necessary.

I look forward to further updating the House on the work of the Petitions Committee.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 28

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

9 August 2021

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Chair Mr Ken O'Dowd MP

Deputy Chair Hon Justine Elliot MP

Mrs Bridget Archer MP

Ms Lisa Chesters MP

Ms Gladys Liu MP

Mr Julian Simmonds MP

Mr James Stevens MP

Ms Susan Templeman MP

Report summarising the petitions and Ministerial responses being presented.

The committee met in private session on 26 May, 2 June, 16 June, 23 June, 15 July, and 4 August 2021

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

Petitions certified on 26 May 2021

From 4 petitioners – requesting humanitarian relief for global pandemic hotspots (EN2673)

From 1070 petitioners – requesting international travel be allowed to see family members (EN2677)

From 9 petitioners – requesting more vigorous testing for all imported foods (EN2679)

From 13360 petitioners – requesting to lower the age of Centrelink independence from 22 to 18 years of age (EN2680)

From 11 petitioners – requesting to reduce Australian immigration to sustainable levels post the pandemic (EN2681)

From 2520 petitioners – requesting that Australia recognise 'Hong Konger' as an official identity in the 2021 census. (EN2682)

From 66 petitioners – requesting that regional cruise ship voyages resume in Australia (EN2683)

From 16 petitioners – requesting for a three-digit suicide prevention hotline (EN2684)

From 6 petitioners – requesting an inbound travel exemption for skilled workers and their dependents (EN2685)

From 71 petitioners – requesting support for the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Religious Freedoms/Equality Bill (EN2686)

From 32 petitioners – requesting healthy soils for a healthy future (EN2687)

From 213 petitioners – requesting fair spectrum pricing for satellite internet providers (EN2688)

From 20 petitioners – regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine (EN2692)

From 60 petitioners – requesting to allow expats in Australia to see their families overseas (EN2693)

From 4 petitioners – requesting that people be allowed to pay for a COVID-19 vaccination if they wish (EN2695)

From 18 petitioners – requesting that repatriation from India is stopped (EN2696)

From 774 petitioners – requesting to keep the cancer drug Avastin on the PBS (EN2697)

From 8 petitioners – requesting that hacking for a ransom payment be made a criminal activity (EN2698)

From 241 petitioners – requesting to lift the Australian travel ban on unmarried and same-sex couples (EN2702)

From 10 petitioners – requesting protections for young adults against excessive drinking (EN2704)

From 410 petitioners – regarding rights for regional visa holders (EN2708)

From 65 petitioners – requesting justice for Palestinians (EN2710)

From 2641 petitioners – requesting to outlaw vaccine passports (EN2711)

From 4090 petitioners – requesting a travel exemption for prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) holders (EN2712)

From 27 petitioners – regarding the first home loan deposit and home builder schemes (EN2714)

From 21991 petitioners – requesting that Australia sanction Israel (EN2715)

From 19 petitioners – requesting to set up mass vaccination centers as a protection against COVID-19 (EN2716)

Petitions certified on 2 June 2021

From 21 petitioners – requesting for the prosecution of fraudulent builders (EN2718)

From 4 petitioners – requesting a national forum about the state of multicultural affairs in Australia (EN2720)

From 1607 petitioners – requesting that COVID-19 vaccinations not be mandatory (EN2722)

From 2085 petitioners – requesting to bring yoga to communities to enrich people's mental and physical wellbeing (EN2724)

From 35 petitioners – requesting minimum pay be implemented for gig-economy workers (EN2730)

From 2108 petitioners – requesting an extension of temporary graduate visas (EN2731)

From 32 petitioners – requesting that repatriates from India be quarantined for 28 days (EN2735)

From 1313 petitioners – requesting that permanent residents/citizens be allowed to leave Australia to see family (EN2736)

Petitions certified on 16 June 2021

From 77 petitioners – requesting protections for parents during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy (EN2738)

From 19 petitioners – requesting sanctions on Palestine (EN2741)

From 57 petitioners – requesting to change the independency criteria and minimum fortnightly earnings for Centrelink (EN2743)

From 184 petitioners – requesting a royal commission into the ABC's reporting (EN2744)

From 286 petitioners – requesting to stop evolutionary indoctrination in the Australian-curriculum (EN2747)

From 5853 petitioners – requesting mandatory sentencing for false allegations (EN2749)

From 57 petitioners – requesting that all international flights into Australia be stopped (EN2751)

From 309829 petitioners – requesting that COVID-19 vaccinations not be made mandatory (EN2753)

From 471 petitioners – requesting that only Australian Citizens may purchase land or property in Australia (EN2757)

From 50 petitioners – requesting financial support for beauty clinics (EN2758)

From 248 petitioners – requesting recognition of First Peoples and for the reconsideration of an advisory body (EN2759)

From 26 petitioners – concerning NDIS backpay given to recipients (EN2760)

From 477 petitioners – requesting an Australian Bill of Rights (EN2762)

From 48 petitioners – requesting Google reviews be removed (EN2763)

From 1131 petitioners – requesting urgent protections for Afghan Mission essential personnel (EN2764)

From 26 petitioners – requesting to lower the national voting age to 16 (EN2766)

From 185 petitioners – requesting an automatic exemption of for subclass 482/494 visa holders to enter Australia (EN2770)

From 1013 petitioners – requesting an automatic exemption for prospective marriage visa holders to enter Australia (EN2771)

From 47 petitioners – requesting the return of Crimean cannons to Russia (EN2774)

Petitions certified on 23 June 2021

From 4363 petitioners – requesting to stop public funding of the Hunter Valley gas fired power station (EN2778)

From 1368 petitioners – requesting the removal of hotel quarantine (EN2782)

From 51 petitioners – concerning the farmers protest in India (EN2784)

From 422 petitioners – requesting that a choice of COVID-19 vaccines be given for all Australians, irrespective of age (EN2785)

From 176 petitioners – requesting to allow the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to over 50's (EN2787)

From 2856 petitioners – concerning Australia's engagement with ASEAN (EN2788)

From 107 petitioners – requesting to not allow any illegal immigrants into Australia (EN2789)

From 2380 petitioners – requesting an extension of time for skilled regional visa holders stranded overseas (EN2791)

From 783 petitioners – requesting to add Cantonese and Traditional Chinese courses in high schools (EN2792)

From 1138 petitioners – requesting that Australia make tiny house living legal (EN2793)

From 79170 petitioners – requesting that vaccine passports be banned (EN2794)

From 151 petitioners – requesting to stop the Japanese child abduction of Australian children (EN2796)

From 47 petitioners – regarding the eligibility of Alex Hawke for parliament (EN2797)

From 17613 petitioners – requesting to stop the cashless debit card trials (EN2799)

Petitions certified on 15 July 2021

From 500 petitioners – regarding the introduction of a vaccination passport (PN0511)

From 21 petitioners – regarding a First Nations voice to the Parliament (PN0512)

From 213 petitioners – requesting an end to offshore immigration detention (PN0513)

Petitions certified on 4 August 2021

From 713 petitioners – requesting a stop to stage two plans for the Museum of Underwater Arts at Great Palm Island and surrounding islands (PN0515)

From 49 petitioners – requesting for the reinstatement of the School Nutrition Program in Laramba (PN0516)

The following ministerial responses to petitions were received:

Ministerial responses received on 23 June 2021

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding a request for a Royal Commission into political donations (EN1719)

From the Minister for Families and Social Services – to a petition regarding the child support scheme (EN2138)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding the date of Australia Day (EN2336)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding the date of Australia Day (EN2342)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition regarding human rights law and judiciary (EN2367)

From the Prime Minister – to a petition regarding a request for an annual International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Australia (EN2389)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition regarding the charity status of religious organisations (EN2415)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition regarding JobKeeper payment extensions (EN2527)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition regarding copyright law regulations for creators and consumers (EN2561)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition regarding funding of aged care in Australia (EN2564)

Ministerial responses received on 15 July 2021

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government grant asylum to Hong Kong nationals currently residing in Australia (EN1022)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government grant permanent residency to Hong Kong expats currently residing in Australia (EN1048)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government allow the sale of cheap electric vehicles and ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2025 (EN1311)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting more support for small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak and a review of Australian competition law (EN1606)

From the Minister for the Environment – to a petition requesting that mass damage and destruction of ecosystems (ECOCIDE) be listed as a crime in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (EN1644)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition requesting that Australia become a republic (EN1729)

From the Minister for Families and Social Services – to a petition requesting an increase to the amount and duration of the JobSeeker payment (EN1766)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the creation of more transparent and accountable judicial appointments processes (EN1782)

From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition concerning zero deposit property loans for farms (EN1789)

From the Minister for the Environment – to a petition requesting the federal protection for Koalas be strengthened (EN1862)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that a potential gas plant in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, be repealed (EN2046)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting duty free concessions be applied to alcohol and tobacco (EN2156)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that urgent reforms on cyber security reviews be implemented (EN2187)

From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government remove compulsory voting (EN2211)

From the Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service – to a petition requesting the Australian Government cut the Australian Public Service (APS) numbers and wages over $150,000, as well as move departments to other parts of the country (EN2221)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition regarding support for Australians overseas affected by international passenger arrivals caps (EN2298)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition regarding arrivals of international students in Australia (EN2338)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting Australia's international quarantine arrangements be conducted offshore (EN2407)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting research into the safety and efficacy of Australian citizens after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (EN2409)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting the eligibility requirements of the Remaining Relative (subclass 115) visa application, be amended (EN2414)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities & the Arts – to a petition requesting that digital platforms be banned from deleting political content that does not breach their conditions of service nor any Australian legislation (EN2419)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting the extension of Working Holiday visas granted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN2434)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia supply COVID-19 vaccines and logistical support to all Pacific island countries to ensure full population coverage and quarantine–free travel within the Pacific region (EN2436)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting legislation be implemented to ensure the mandatory vaccination of Australians against COVID-19 (EN2444)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting a suspension of COVID-19 vaccines pending further research into their safety and efficacy (EN2445)

From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that the dates of the NAPLAN (EN2448)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition regarding tensions in the Indian Australian community (EN2449)

From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that the Australian curriculum be amended with a greater emphasis on evolution teachings (EN2452)

From the Speaker – to a petition regarding communication by Members with constituents (EN2459)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government publicly condemn the violence against Afghan human rights defenders, journalists, media workers and women; as well as increase its support of the Afghanistan Government to help these same people (EN2474)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that extended family members of Australians who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, be allowed to travel to Australia (EN2485)

From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that the voting age be lowered to 16 years of age (EN2487)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the circumcision of children, both boys and girls, be banned (EN2490)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition requesting that the Commonwealth Government declare a National Day of Remembrance for COVID-19 on 26 October 2021 (EN2502)

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting that a Royal Commission be opened into Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veteran suicide as well as depression (EN2515)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that the "special witness" feature/status offered to a female is removed to ensure parity in the legal framework (EN2521)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting Australian healthcare be reformed (EN2523)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that the Basic Religious Charity category and exemptions in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act) be abolished (EN2526)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that travel exemptions be applied to the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents (EN2543)

From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that a federal election is held immediately (EN2544)

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting changes to certain Statements of Principles (SOPs) developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) (EN2557)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia advocate for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, to be removed from China and for the Australian Olympic team to boycott the event (EN2572)

From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting mandatory voter identification and additional restrictions with respect to postal voting (EN2574)

From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition requesting that superannuation funds disclose how human overpopulation risk may affect superannuation returns and how funds are managing these risks (EN2583)

From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that environmental concerns be included as part of the relationships and sexuality module of the Australian Curriculum (EN2584)

From the Minister for Veteran's Affairs – to a petition requesting that Gold Cards be provided to veterans covered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (EN2585)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that the foreign ownership of Australian land cease immediately (EN2594)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government remove the mandatory influenza vaccination requirement to visit residential aged care facilities (EN2598)

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting the introduction of a 60-day statutory timeframe when deciding Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 claims and applications (EN2605)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the introduction of a Bill to legislate for measures relating to the gender pay gap (EN2607)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the cessation of the AstraZeneca vaccine national rollout until proof of having no adverse reactions to any Australian citizen (EN2609)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting a reduction in Australia's permanent immigration to 70,000 per year after the COVID-19 border closure is lifted (PN0494)

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting changes to certain Statements of Principles developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority (PN0504)

Ministerial responses received on 4 August 2021

From the Treasurer – to a petition regarding foreign ownership of land (EN1131)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that the House put forward a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister (EN1222)

From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition concerning an inquiry into Australian Securities and Investments Commission (EN2111)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that Australian workers be given the right to refuse an employer's direction to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (EN2272)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting the removal of politically extreme news outlets from social media platforms and the regulation of their content (EN2454)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting amendments to the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code (EN2473)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition regarding Australia's extradition system (EN2499)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation cease to be funded (EN2511)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation cease to be funded (EN2530)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that an international travel exemption be made for parents of Australians and permanent residents (EN2535)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia's border restrictions be eased for vaccinated international students travelling to Australia (EN2556)

From the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia – to a petition regarding naturopathic medicines and therapies for animals and veterinary products (EN2559)

From the Minister for Veteran's Affairs – to a petition regarding evidence used by the Repatriation Medical Authority to determine factors for the Statements of Principles (EN2562)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting the Treasury disclose the risk of human overpopulation to Australian Government Bond returns and how the risk is being managed (EN2582)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 be amended to allow online poker providers to offer their services in Australia (EN2592)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that international travel be permitted into and out of Australia to meet parents (EN2611)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the removal of the requirement for international medical graduates to complete a pre–employment structured clinical interview in addition to the Australian Medical Council's examinations (EN2616)

From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that businesses which received JobKeeper assistance make repayments (EN2617)

From the Minister for Sport – to a petition concerning the funding of projects in the 2018 Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program (EN2620)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 be amended to provide further guidance on the expression 'other material' for the purposes of section 25D (EN2621)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that no legislation, regulation or rule is introduced that mandates the use of vaccine passports (EN2626)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Pfizer vaccine be made available to any person in Australia (EN2628)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australians be able to travel internationally to visit family onwards from October 2021 (EN2631)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the resumption of domestic and regional Australian cruise ship voyages (EN2642)

From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that quarantine free travel resume between Australia and Taiwan (EN2644)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the abolition of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (EN2646)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that that Australia's international travel ban with India be withdrawn (EN2651)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting changes to arrangements for the prescription of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain (EN2657)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that chronic patients are not prescribed medical cannabis (EN2658)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the Biosecurity Act 2015 be amended to manage human overpopulation and overcrowding (EN2661)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—High Risk Country Travel Pause) Determination 2021 be repealed and Australian citizens and permanent residents in India be repatriated immediately (EN2665)

From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting to revoke certain clauses in the Fair Work Act 2009 (EN2670)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that funding for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation be restored to 2013 levels to provide a greater regional service and to enhance its editorial standards (PN0506)

Mr Ken O'Dowd

Chair – Petitions Committee