Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 29 May the committee presented its report on the inquiry into the e-petitioning system. The report, Making voices heard, found that the e-petitioning system has been a great success in enhancing community participation in the petitioning process.

Users of the system have been able to create, share and sign petitions electronically since the beginning of this parliament. Because of this new system, the overall number of petitions received by the committee has doubled from previous recent parliaments and continues to rise. This is a great example of how improving access to parliamentary processes fosters community engagement with the parliament.

The report also found that there were some areas where the system could be enhanced to improve user experience and accessibility. Recommendations in the report include enhancements to webpage design, a campaign to promote the availability of e-petitioning, and a review of general practice and procedure relating to e-petitioning and petitioning more broadly.

The committee is also committed to improving the petitioning process to make it even more available and accessible to everyone.

On behalf of the committee, I thank all those who participated in this inquiry and who continue to petition the House on a wide variety of issues of concern to them. I'd also like to thank those who have prepared and signed these petitions that I present today. I will continue to provide updates to the House on the work of the Petitions Committee.