Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Chair of the Petitions Committee, I present the 18th report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament.

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 18

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

27 November 2023

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Chair Ms Susan Templeman MP

Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP

Mr Sam Birrell MP

Ms Alison Byrnes MP

Ms Lisa Chesters MP

Mr Garth Hamilton MP

Ms Tracey Roberts MP

Ms Meryl Swanson 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 committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 18 October 2023 and 15 November 2023.

1. The committee resolved to present the following 47 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:

Petitions certified on 18 October 2023

From 10 petitioners—regarding additional supply of international flights in the Australian market (EN5453)

From 109 petitioners—requesting the addition of VISANNE(R) to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for endometriosis treatment (EN5454)

From 7 petitioners—requesting increased funding to the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (EN5455)

From 27 petitioners—requesting the implementation of an enforceable airline passenger compensation scheme (EN5456)

From 11 petitioners—regarding processing times for Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa and Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa (EN5459)

From 7 petitioners—requesting legislation to prevent the sale of energy drinks to consumers under 18 years of age (EN5461)

From 20 petitioners—regarding the release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant (EN5462)

From 33 petitioners—regarding the release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant (EN5463)

From 269 petitioners—regarding Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions (EN5465)

From 11 petitioners—regarding the processing of Permanent Residency Visa (190) applications from 2021 and earlier (EN5466)

From 527 petitioners—requesting the implementation of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade's recommendations from its inquiry on human rights violations in Iran (EN5467)

From 51 petitioners—requesting the introduction of an extension provision in appealing matters to the Veterans' Review Board (EN5468)

From 20 petitioners—requesting a parliamentary inquiry into geoengineering (EN5472)

From 34 petitioners—requesting an extension to the Paid Parental Leave scheme from 20 paid weeks to one year (EN5473)

From 29 petitioners—requesting the removal of relationship status in eligibility considerations for Centrelink payments (EN5477)

From 16 petitioners—requesting legislation to prevent online service providers from auto-rebilling inactive accounts (EN5478)

From 17 petitioners—regarding the federal budget for Indigenous affairs (EN5481)

From 32 petitioners—regarding improvements to travel accessibility for immigrants (EN5483)

From 39 petitioners—requesting a public inquiry into the federal and state government response to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5484)

From 106 petitioners—regarding the draft Digital Identity Bill 2023 (EN5485)

From 4 petitioners—requesting the introduction of a 100% capital gains tax on property (EN5486)

From 6 petitioners—regarding needs-based funding to address domestic violence in the Northern Territory (EN5490)

From 48 petitioners—regarding the treatment of Julian Assange (EN5493)

From 17 petitioners—regarding retailers driving up the cost of groceries without adequately compensating producers (EN5495)

From 8 petitioners—requesting the continuation of the live export industry (EN5496)

From 2 petitioners—regarding the processing of Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa applications (EN5497)

From 9 petitioners—requesting the reconsideration of the security alliance with India (EN5499)

From 481 petitioners—requesting the Australian Government to meet with Iran's exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi (EN5506)

From 18 petitioners—requesting the restoration of the original phrasing of the Australian National Anthem (EN5507)

From 49 petitioners—requesting parliamentary debate on certain amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (EN5509)

From 472 petitioners—requesting the rejection of certain amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (EN5517)

From 5 petitioners—requesting the approval of Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) such as Optune(R) for treatment of Glioblastoma in Australia (EN5518)

From 239 petitioners—requesting additional funding for Medicare rebates to allow General Practitioners to bulk bill everyone (EN5528)

From 21 petitioners—requesting weekly publication of the number of national COVID-19 related deaths (EN5529)

From 26 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government no longer resettle refugees in Australia (EN5536)

From 35 petitioners—requesting that Qatar Airways be granted additional international flights in and out of Australia (EN5537)

From 15 petitioners—regarding legislation to progress the development of fusion nuclear technology in Australia (EN5544)

From 60 petitioners—regarding processing delays for Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa applications (EN5545)

From 259 petitioners—regarding the processing times of Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa applications in the Amman Embassy (EN5547)

From 8 petitioners—regarding cultural support in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants (EN5549)

From 17 petitioners—requesting standards and education for medical practitioners to support their patients to apply for the NDIS (EN5550)

From 47 petitioners—regarding the outcome of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum (EN5551)

From 7 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a program to implement the provision of facilities for remote Indigenous communities (EN5555)

From 190 petitioners—requesting that the tax rate for big corporations and high-earning individuals be raised (EN5557)

From 24 petitioners—requesting stricter deportation laws in Australia (EN5560)

From 3085 petitioners—requesting an amendment to the standing orders to replace daily prayers in the parliament (EN5562)

From 12 petitioners—requesting legislation to ban individuals from flying flags that are not the Australian or Aboriginal flags (EN5563)

2. The following 65 ministerial responses to petitions were received:

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 15 November 2023

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding the introduction of legislation to ban telecommunication companies from locking phones to networks (EN3653)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the amendment of legislation prohibiting the use of nuclear fusion energy (EN4147)

From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting the creation of a grant directed towards people with disabilities or their immediate carers (EN4158)

From the Treasurer to a petition regarding the lowering of the price of diesel fuel to better match the price of unleaded fuel (EN4179)

From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting a moratorium on regional bank closures and the establishment of a Parliamentary inquiry (EN4244)

From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding previously announced changes to the Australian individual tax residency rules (EN4259)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the consideration of using nuclear power in Australia (EN4269)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the consideration of using nuclear power in Australia (EN4278)

From the Minister for Housing to a petition regarding the utilisation of unoccupied housing for those suffering from a lack of rental properties (EN4283)

From the Treasurer to a petition regarding the penalisation of companies and individuals who engage in price gouging activities (EN4297)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding offshore student visa processing matters for Bangladeshi nationals (EN4315)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting the removal of the prohibition on nuclear power in Australia (EN4387)

From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the raising of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (EN4390)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition regarding drug and alcohol testing for Members of Parliament (EN4408)

From the Minister for Sport to a petition regarding the development of gender-neutral amenities at AFL and AFLW playing grounds and venues (EN4440)

From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting the naming of a nuclear submarine after former Prime Minister Harold Edward Holt CH (EN4473)

From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding the incorporation of Punjabi language into the national curriculum (EN4600)

From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding reforms to address issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (EN4648)

From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition regarding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum (EN4769)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting financial incentives for Australians to convert internal combustion engines of existing vehicles to electric motors (EN4880)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the state of democracy and timing of elections in Pakistan (EN4979)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's Humanitarian and Settlement Programs (EN5031)

From the Minister for Skills and Training to a petition regarding skills assessments for occupations on the Skilled Migration Occupation List (EN5055)

From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition regarding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum (EN5059)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the Australian Government's decision to increase maximum dispensing quantities for some medications listed on the PBS (EN5091)

From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting an increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (EN5093)

From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding investment property loan data-matching (EN5111)

From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding a formal review of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (EN5115)

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition regarding amendment to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 in relation to governance for the Repatriation Medical Authority's consideration of sound medical-scientific evidence (EN5125)

From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting that financial institutions outline potential risks associated with joint bank accounts and loans to minimise impacts of domestic abuse (EN5144)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the World Health Organisation's instrument on pandemic preparedness (EN5174)

From the Minister representing the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a federal prohibition on conversion practices and the establishment of federal anti-vilification laws (EN5207)

From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition regarding the introduction of legislation of overtime rates for work outside of scheduled hours (EN5212)

From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting a ban on the use of glyphosate as a desiccant or harvest aid on crops and that foods containing glyphosate be labelled accordingly (EN5225)

From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting legislation to mandate that businesses operating in Australia accept all forms of legal tender (EN5226)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the provision of subsidies to encourage people to use gas cooking appliances (EN5228)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting a ban on all coal seam gas operations until safe, long-term salt storage technology can be created (EN5230)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting an immediate pause on the use of Pfizer and Moderna Sars-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (EN5233)

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting the building of a new city in the Mount Kosciuszko National Park to help solve the national housing crisis (EN5241)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister requesting the cessation of resources provided to former Prime Ministers (EN5267)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the use of toxins for the control of vertebrate pest animals, specifically feral cats and foxes (EN5268)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that online poker be brought back to Australia (EN5272)

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting legislation be passed that forces airlines to compensate passengers who experience significant disruption due to delays or cancellations (EN5275)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting a change to the Commonwealth prohibition on civil nuclear power (EN5285)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting ministerial intervention in a personal visa matter (EN5289)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the imposition of responsibilities on public electric vehicle (EV) charger owners to ensure operational chargers (EN5297)

From the Minister for Resources to a petition requesting a ban on hydraulic fracturing (EN5299)

From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding a change to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (EN5300)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the security situation and its negative impacts on the population in Kurram District, Pakistan (EN5316)

From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting that research students receive a liveable wage (EN5321)

From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting a legislated end date for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea (EN5323)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the development of nuclear fusion reactors (EN5335)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa in the Regional Provisional stream (EN5341)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the Australian Government's decision to increase maximum dispensing quantities for some medications listed on the PBS (EN5343)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the sanctioning of key sources of the Myanmar military regime's revenue (EN5344)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the implementation of water-friendly policies (EN5345)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding support for the formation of a national eczema strategy (EN5346)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the purchase of residential property for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa holders (EN5347)

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding the regulation of Event Data Recorders in vehicles (EN5398)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the latest COVID-19 subvariant (EN5416)

From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding financial abortions (EN5430)

From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting reform to the education sector to minimise bullying (EN5433)

From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting the introduction of a government-regulated organisation to maintain minimum rental standards in Australia (EN5441)

From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding education support staff that specially accommodates disabled children in schools (PN0544)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding overhead powerlines (PN0564)

Ms Susan Templeman MP

Chair—Petitions Committee