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

I present the 24th report of the Petitions Committee for the 46 parliament, comprising 30 petitions and 19 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented. I also present a corrigendum to report No. 22, to correct a typographical error.

This week I'm pleased to announce that the House petitions' website has been updated. This update has increased the capacity of the e-petitions system to better handle peaks in user engagement and has improved accessibility and petitioning information more generally. Improvements include: easy English language to explain the petitioning process and rules for petitioning; symbols and imagery to increase accessibility in understanding the petitioning process; an updated and comprehensive frequently-asked-questions page; a streamlined process for creating paper e-petitions, with improved guidance at each step; and enhanced web design and navigational tools so that users can easily find what they're looking for. The committee trusts that this update will assist citizens when engaging with the petitioning process, making it easier for them to sign, curate and learn about petitions.

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

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE

Report No. 24

22 March 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 17 February and 17 March 2021

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

Petitions certified on 17 February 2021

From 12 petitioners - regarding Australia's COVID-19 international arrival restrictions and quarantine arrangements (EN2343)

From 78 petitioners - requesting Australia to implement sanctions against India (EN2347)

From 14 petitioners - requesting a royal commission into the Federation of Australia (EN2349)

From 2248 petitioners - requesting the Australian Government to make a statement to the Government of India regarding the Indian farmers' protest (EN2354)

From 208 petitioners - requesting Scott Morrison be removed from the Australian Parliament for being a dual citizen (EN2358)

From 1651 petitioners - regarding Working Holiday visas and rural work (EN2360)

From 20 petitioners - regarding Australia's COVID-19 international arrival restrictions and quarantine arrangements (EN2361)

From 14 petitioners - regarding gender equality (EN2367)

From 3 petitioners - regarding the cost and availability of insurance in Northern Australia (EN2368)

From 4 petitioners - requesting a stop to legislation requiring people to have a prescription to purchase nicotine e-liquid (EN2369)

From 21 petitioners - requesting the FreeStyle Libre Glucose Monitoring System be fully subsidised for type 1 diabetics under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN2372)

From 10 petitioners - regarding legislation governing petrol prices in Australia (EN2373)

From 13681 petitioners - regarding the Myanmar coup (EN2374)

From 72 petitioners - regarding the eligibility of government Members (EN2376)

From 12 petitioners - requesting the Australian Government to make a statement to the Government of India regarding the Indian farmers' protest (EN2377)

From 9 petitioners - regarding subsidising electric vehicles in Australia (EN2378)

From 4 petitioners - regarding the Australian Government's interference in the property market (EN2379)

From 521 petitioners - regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the funding of specialised sex work (EN2380)

From 3 petitioners - regarding the Australian Government's COVID-19 financial support payments (EN2381)

From 7 petitioners - regarding Australia's COVID-19 international arrival restrictions (EN2382)

From 31 petitioners - regarding Australia's COVID-19 international arrival restrictions (EN2384)

From 5 petitioners - regarding the National Australian Bank Consumer Credit Insurance Class Action (EN2385)

From 29002 petitioners - requesting restrictions not be imposed on those who refuse the COVID-19 vaccination (EN2386)

From 33 petitioners - regarding the COVID-19 vaccination (EN2387)

From 5 petitioners - requesting an International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Australia (EN2389)

From 13 petitioners - regarding coal power stations (EN2392)

From 155 petitioners - requesting restrictions not be imposed on those who refuse the COVID-19 vaccination (EN2393)

From 2725 petitioners - requesting an extension of the JobKeeper Payment beyond March 2021 (EN2395)

From 287 petitioners - regarding Australia's COVID-19 international arrival restrictions (EN2396)

From 135 petitioners - regarding airsoft gun parts and accessories (EN2400)

The following ministerial responses to petitions were received:

Ministerial responses considered on 17 March 2021

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting that Australia hold a referendum on withdrawing from the United Nations, the Paris climate agreement, and on foreign ownership of Australian infrastructure, assets and land (EN1186)

From the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management - to a petition requesting that the whereabouts of elected officials are publicised (EN1255)

From the Minister for Home Affairs - to a petition requesting a Royal Commission into police conduct (EN1672)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet - to a petition regarding customer service employees (EN1692)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition requesting section 48 of the Migration Act 1958 be waived (EN1767)

From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters - to a petition requesting that a plebiscite or a referendum be included in every federal election (EN1802)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction - to a petition regarding Climate Change (EN1815)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition requesting the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service be privatised (EN1955)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition regarding Chinese virologist Dr Li-meng Yan (EN1958)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet - to a petition requesting the establishment of misleading and deceptive conduct laws for politicians and their staffers (EN1960)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition requesting a Royal Commission into Australia's news media (EN1968)

From the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management - to a petition regarding the establishment of a lithium-ion battery return program (EN1974)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction - to a petition regarding climate change and the lowering of Australia's emissions (EN2002)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction - to a petition requesting an end to fossil fuels and the implementation of a universal basic income (EN2007)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition requesting a Royal Commission into corruption within the Department of Home Affairs (EN2022)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting the Australian government impose sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials (EN2023)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet - to a petition requesting changes to the Australian National Anthem (EN2099)

From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction - to a petition regarding renewable energy sources and the climate crisis in Australia (PN0459)

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition requesting an extension of JobKeeper for the travel and tourism industries (PN0495)

Mr Ken O'Dowd

Chair - Petitions Committee

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