Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the fourth report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament, together with 52 petitions and 31 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented.

I am pleased to report the high number of ministerial responses received, and on behalf of the committee I would like to thank the ministers responsible. Every one of these petitions represents an issue that is important to a group of Australians and which deserves a considered and thoughtful response.

Today I table a response from the Minister for Foreign Affairs that responds to several petitions that were signed, in total, by 55,232 petitioners. These petitions varied in their wording but were united in their request for Australia to take action against the Iranian government for its human rights abuses. The response from the minister setting out the government's actions should assure these petitioners that this matter is being taken seriously and that Australians are united in their opposition to oppression, particularly of women and girls.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the Petitions Committee.