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

I present the 37th report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament:

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 37

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

10 February 2025

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 6 November 2024, 20 November 2024, 27 November 2024, 22 January 2025 and 5 February 2025.

1. The committee resolved to present the following 87 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:

Petitions certified on 6 November 2024

From 5 petitioners—requesting reform of the parent visa application process

(EN6708)

From 549 petitioners—requesting support for the heritage management of the Christian's Minde complex (EN6711)

From 7 petitioners—requesting the adoption of the Rich Communication Services protocol standard for instant messaging (EN6713)

From 95 petitioners—requesting the creation of a circular economy for lead

(EN6714)

From 44 petitioners—requesting a referendum to add free speech protections into the Australian Constitution (EN6715)

From 14 petitioners—regarding concerns relating to the Australian Broadcasting Commission (EN6716)

From 1314 petitioners—requesting that the private health insurance rebate for Bowen Therapy be reinstated (EN6717)

From 3 petitioners—requesting an exemption to the Fringe Benefit Tax limit for employees of small businesses (EN6725)

From 54 petitioners—regarding concerns relating to the policies, operations and structure of Uber (EN6728)

From 137 petitioners—requesting protection from vexatious litigation for victims of family and domestic violence (EN6729)

From 432 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Child Care Subsidy for families of children with disabilities (EN6731)

From 78 petitioners—regarding concerns related to visa processing timeframes (EN6732)

From 9 petitioners—regarding concerns related to the closure of the 3G cellular network (EN6733)

From 9 petitioners—regarding concerns related to the speed and reliability of the National Broadband Network (EN6734)

From 36 petitioners—requesting that public hospitals be required to offer abortion services if they receive Commonwealth funding (EN6735)

From 2 petitioners—requesting English language tests be waived for permanent residency applicants who have studied in Australia (EN6738)

From 22 petitioners—requesting support for people employed to mine cobalt in Congo (EN6739)

From 11 petitioners—requesting an investigation into a decision preventing students with short-stature from competing in certain school sports (EN6741)

From 62 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a Federal Judicial Commission (EN6746)

From 92 petitioners—requesting that the medication semaglutide be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (EN6747)

From 11 petitioners—requesting regulations relating to the financial assets of parliamentarians (EN6749)

From 231 petitioners—requesting reforms to the way that child support payments are calculated (EN6752)

From 12 petitioners—requesting changes to compound interest charged by money lenders (EN6753)

From 57 petitioners—requesting the establishment of an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic in Newcastle, New South Wales (EN6754)

From 11 petitioners—requesting an automated system for tax returns for individuals (EN6755)

From 30 petitioners—requesting standardised legislation to compensate individuals who have been found to have been wrongfully imprisoned (EN6757)

From 28 petitioners—regarding the use of cash in the Australian economy

(EN6759)

From 19 petitioners—requesting legislation to declassify government records relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena (EN6761)

From 16 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Parenting Payment for widowed parents (EN6763)

From 19 petitioners—requesting access to the Parenting Payment for citizens of New Zealand residing in Australia (EN6773)

From 4 petitioners—requesting that Australia join China's Belt and Road Initiative (EN6774)

From 73 petitioners—requesting the inclusion of Yazidi language, religion and ethnicity as distinct categories in the 2026 Australian Census (EN6775)

From 18 petitioners—regarding mutual obligation requirements for the JobSeeker Payment (EN6776)

From 287 petitioners—requesting exemptions to changes made to age limits for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants (EN6778)

From 276 petitioners—requesting assistance to locate a light aircraft missing since 1981 (EN6781)

From 1449 petitioners—requesting the reversal of changes made to the interpretation of the reduced input tax credit (EN6786)

From 18 petitioners—regarding restrictions on the sale of non-prescription pharmaceuticals (EN6787)

From 26 petitioners—regarding consumer rights relating to the purchase of digital content (EN6788)

From 38 petitioners—regarding concerns related to free speech (EN6789)

From 28 petitioners—regarding concerns related to the operation of the National Redress Scheme (EN6790)

From 106 petitioners—requesting mandatory labelling of palm oil on products sold in Australia (EN6792)

From 64 petitioners—requesting the reversal of the Minister for Home Affairs' decision to cancel a visa (EN6799)

From 2169 petitioners—requesting improvements to the accessibility and affordability of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder assessments (EN6801)

From 23 petitioners—regarding the Commissioner of the National Anti- Corruption Commission (EN6802)

Petitions certified on 20 November 2024

From 7 petitioners—requesting support to address the civil conflict in Myanmar (EN6806)

From 69 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government seek the suspension of Israel from the United Nations General Assembly (EN6808)

From 3 petitioners—requesting the adoption the Rich Communications Services protocol standard for mobile devices (EN6811)

From 6 petitioners—regarding the dissolution of marriages (EN6814)

From 19 petitioners—regarding the President of the United States (EN6816)

From 297 petitioners—requesting regulations to prevent foreign embassies and consulates from using religious places for official purposes (EN6817)

From 6 petitioners—regarding concerns related to bias and fairness in the media (EN6819)

From 5 petitioners—requesting support for students returning to higher education (EN6820)

From 14 petitioners—requesting sanctions on Iran (EN6821)

From 276 petitioners—requesting support to address perinatal and infant loss (EN6822)

From 1857 petitioners—requesting that remedial massage therapists be recognised as National Disability Insurance Scheme providers (EN6823)

From 440 petitioners—requesting a tax offset for dental fees (EN6825)

From 13 petitioners—regarding the Australian Ambassador to the United States (EN6826)

From 3 petitioners—requesting changes to the classification system for videogames (EN6828)

From 28 petitioners—regarding the alliance between Australia and the United States (EN6830)

From 117 petitioners—regarding Australia's obligations relating to international humanitarian law (EN6831)

From 20 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6832)

From 1 petitioner—requesting that the Australian National Anthem be changed (EN6833)

From 28 petitioners—regarding the President of the United States (EN6834)

From 28 petitioners—regarding the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (EN6835)

From 27 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6836)

From 92 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6838)

From 31 petitioners—regarding concerns related to the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 (EN6839)

From 56 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6840)

From 2 petitioners—regarding the repayment of university fees (EN6845)

From 1 petitioner—regarding conditions for recipients of Centrelink payments (EN6846)

From 10 petitioners—requesting the abolition of junior pay rates (EN6847)

From 3 petitioners—requesting the equitable treatment of visa applications

(EN6851)

From 46 petitioners—regarding the Australian Ambassador to the United States (EN6852)

From 588 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6856)

Petitions certified on 27 November 2024

From 62 petitioners—requesting changes to employment conditions for casual workers (EN6860)

From 324 petitioners—requesting support to protect domestic rabbits from calicivirus (EN6862)

From 7 petitioners—requesting that Rex Airlines be nationalised (EN6865)

From 5 petitioners—requesting support for family reunifications (EN6871)

From 435 petitioners—requesting support and funding for maternity health services in rural Australia (EN6873)

From 268 petitioners—requesting the establishment of an independent commission to oversee the private health system (EN6877)

From 92 petitioners—requesting action against manufacturers of vaping products (EN6879)

From 19 petitioners—regarding concerns relating to the Net Zero Plan

(EN6880)

From 15 petitioners—requesting changes to the income test for recipients of the Age Pension (EN6881)

From 26 petitioners—requesting free access to universal healthcare for people residing in Australia (EN6882)

From 56 petitioners—requesting support for the inclusion of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the Australian Constitution (EN6888)

From 223 petitioners—regarding concerns related to social media age restrictions (EN6889)

Petitions certified on 5 February 2025

From 1805 petitioners—requesting that the Artarmon Post Office be relocated to an alternative local site (PN0632)

2. The following 58 ministerial responses to petitions were received.

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 22 January 2025

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting mandatory vehicle emissions standards (EN4208)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting homeowners be allowed to install data cabling (EN4318)

From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding fee changes to higher education psychology courses (EN5045)

From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting that synthetic meat be banned in Australia (EN5162)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the removal of the automatic indexation of excise duty rates for commercially produced alcohol (EN5368)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding an allegation of poisoning in China (EN5916)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding caps to Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) applications (EN5942)

From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting the cessation of unpaid clinical placements and further financial support for healthcare students (EN5988)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting the rejection of the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (EN6091)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting the removal of the Capstone exam for prospective Registered Migration Agents (EN6250)

From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding the alleged activities and influence of the Bhartiya Janata Party within Australia (EN6377)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the harmonisation of laws relating to protection orders and changes to the way in which domestic violence cases are handled (EN6395)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting an onshore application process for Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) extensions (EN6420)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the appointment of a Minister for Men and Boys (EN6428)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the appointment of a Minister for Older Australians (EN6454)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting a reduction in processing times for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applications (EN6456)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the medical requirements for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applications (EN6463)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that the indexation of study fee debts be ceased (EN6508)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting a reduction in processing times for Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) applications (EN6518)

From the Special Minister of State to a petition requesting legislation to prohibit misinformation in political advertising and communications (EN6530)

From the Minister the Environment and Water to a petition requesting that funding be provided to veterinary hospitals and practices for wildlife care (EN6532)

From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding concerns about false allegations of domestic violence (EN6536)

From the Minister for Finance to a petition regarding concerns related to the

Digital ID Act 2024 (EN6548)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the detention of Professor Abduljalil Al-Singace in Bahrain (EN6557)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN6578)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting official recognition of Women, Life, Freedom Day (EN6581)

From the Minister for Youth to a petition requesting the establishment of a national day to allow young people to meet Australian leaders (EN6599)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs requesting permanent residency for Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers (EN6613)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting an increase to the number of mental health sessions covered by Medicare (EN6614)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting a National Rural Health Strategy and increased support for rural health services (EN6617)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs requesting a reduction in the costs and processing times for Parent visas (EN6630)

From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting that psoriatic arthritis be included as a recognised condition in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN6645)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (EN6661)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting legislation to protect human rights (EN6666)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting a reduction in processing times for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applications (EN6687)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting support to address human rights concerns in Bangladesh (EN6691)

From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting support to maintain a navigable channel for vessels on the Murray River (EN6692)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China (PN0605)

From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting Australia Post to retain the Spit Junction Post Office in Mosman, New South Wales (PN0623)

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 5 February 2025

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the processing times of visa applications in the Amman Office (EN5547)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the removal of the goods and services tax on residential electricity (EN5580)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that it be made illegal for businesses to not accept cash (EN5640)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the removal of the goods and services tax on exercise physiology services (EN5674)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the removal of the goods and services tax from exercise physiology services (EN5701)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for Partner visa (subclass 309) applications in Amman, Jordan (EN5750)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the removal of the goods and services tax on exercise physiology services (EN5850)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that cash remain legal tender

(EN5960)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa applicants (EN6116)

From the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting a transition period for people affected by changes to age limits for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (EN6198)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Israel (EN6288)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that increases to the alcohol excise be ceased (EN6504)

From the Minister for Sport to a petition requesting that equal prize money in sport be mandated (EN6567)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting sanctions on Israel (EN6585)

From the Treasurer to a petition requesting an inquiry into the strata management industry (EN6638)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting action to address the conflict in Gaza (EN6653)

From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding concerns related to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the findings of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme (EN6670)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the cost and accessibility of medicinal cannabis through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PN0624)

From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting that all chocolate sold in Australia is free from child labour (PN0626)

Ms Susan Templeman MP

Chair—Petitions Committee

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