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

I present the 31st report of the Petitions Committee for the 46th Parliament.

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 31

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

18 October 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 4 August, 11 August, 25 August, 1 September and 29 September 2021.

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

Petitions certified by the Committee on 4 August

From 5329 petitioners - requesting changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (EN2874)

From 444 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for aged care workers (EN2919)

From 19 petitioners - requesting to grant refugee status for family members in South Africa (EN2921)

From 69 petitioners - requesting for Australians to be allowed to undertake international travel (EN2924)

From 432 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations without informed consent (EN2925)

From 3 petitioners - requesting the introduction of a COVID-19 health pass (EN2926)

From 267 petitioners - requesting the introduction of a COVID-19 health pass (EN2927)

From 4 petitioners - requesting the introduction of a COVID-19 health pass (EN2928)

From 39 petitioners - requesting to stop foreign national companies and dual citizens buying freehold land (EN2929)

From 1144 petitioners - requesting to fund research into topical steroid withdrawal in Australia (EN2934)

From 10 petitioners - requesting to intervene diplomatically in the civil unrest in South Africa and to deliver humanitarian aid (EN2935)

From 10 petitioners - requesting to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all Australians (EN2936)

From 24608 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations (EN2939)

From 17 petitioners - requesting to let Australian citizens impacted by lockdowns access their superannuation (EN2941)

From 13 petitioners - requesting that joint custody of children be granted in the absence of a court order, apprehended violence order or abuse claim (EN2942)

From 5 petitioners - requesting to make access to firearms harder for known criminals (EN2946)

From 16 petitioners - regarding the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action (EN2947)

From 91 petitioners - requesting to enforce taxation for all churches (EN2948)

From 575 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations (EN2951)

From 8 petitioners - requesting that COVID-19 support payments be reintroduced nationally (EN2954)

From 29 petitioners - requesting COVID-19 vaccinations be provided to Australian businesses and expatriates in Vietnam (EN2956)

From 23 petitioners - requesting to allow international travel for vaccinated residents (EN2957)

From 430 petitioners - requesting to bring home stranded Australians in Bangladesh (EN2960)

From 62 petitioners - requesting amendments be made to the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 (EN2961)

From 144 petitioners - requesting to cap the income earned by politicians in line with government COVID-19 disaster payments (EN2964)

From 330 petitioners - requesting true reporting from government and media for COVID-19 and vaccine related deaths (EN2966)

From 7 petitioners - requesting to provide access to euthanasia and/or assisted suicide for climate change related disasters and impacts (EN2970)

From 247 petitioners - requesting to stop the Cashless Debit Card's usage in the Wide Bay region (EN2971)

From 21 petitioners - regarding foreign ownership laws for new and existing real estate (EN2972)

From 41 petitioners - requesting more vaccination choices (EN2973)

From 21 petitioners - requesting to permanently reverse the distribution priority area status of the Hunter region (EN2977)

From 7 petitioners - requesting unrestricted domestic travel during lockdowns for fully vaccinated citizens (EN2979)

From 2455 petitioners - requesting better management for the noise pollution from Brisbane Airport's flight paths (EN2983)

From 3798 petitioners - requesting to end the COVID-19 emergency measures (EN2988)

From 35 petitioners - requesting reliable ADSL internet in the Moore Creek area (EN2989)

From 913 petitioners - requesting that PCR testing cycle rates are fully disclosed (EN2991)

From 6 petitioners - requesting to immediately withdraw Australia's navy from the South China Sea (EN2992)

From 9 petitioners - requesting to mix the usage of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccinations (EN2994)

From 15 petitioners - requesting an online referendum to determine if COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandatory (EN2995)

From 5 petitioners - requesting to increase the concessional contributions cap (EN2997)

From 91 petitioners - requesting to increase the mobile phone coverage in Moore Creek (EN2998)

From 72 petitioners - requesting to establish a program that provides masks for those living in poverty (EN3001)

From 388 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for nurses or doctors (EN3002)

From 252 petitioners - requesting no mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for aged care workers. (EN3006)

From 328 petitioners - requesting a referendum to amend the Constitution (EN3011)

From 76 petitioners - requesting an amendment to the 1983 nuclear power ban (EN3012)

From 9 petitioners - requesting reforms for Crohn's disease injections (EN3013)

From 38 petitioners - requesting to bring vulnerable Australian citizens home from Indonesia (EN3014)

From 22 petitioners - requesting to immediately reinstate JobKeeper and other COVID-19 financial support services (EN3015)

From 24 petitioners - requesting to legalise nicotine vape solutions (EN3016)

From 90 petitioners - requesting to stop CSIRO conducting gain of function research (EN3017)

From 10 petitioners - requesting the deployment of the Australian Defence Force and all additional resources and assistance to the Moree Community (EN3018)

From 1620 petitioners - requesting to stop the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine passports (EN3019)

From 16 petitioners - requesting to remove prayers from the standing orders (EN3021)

From 9 petitioners - requesting reforms for Crohn's disease injections (EN3022)

From 2905 petitioners - requesting to stop mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations

(EN3023)

From 13 petitioners - requesting to supply AstraZeneca vaccines to Australians and permanent residents stuck overseas (EN3025)

From 495 petitioners - requesting assurance that no national emergency vaccinations or martial law will be imposed upon Australians (EN3026)

From 679 petitioners - requesting no mandatory vaccinations for disability workers or community service professionals (EN3029)

From 13 petitioners - regarding attendees and organisers of 'freedom marches' (EN3031)

From 568 petitioners - requesting to stop using the term 'cases' when reporting positive COVID-19 tests (EN3035)

From 613 petitioners - requesting an immediate enactment of Magnitsky-style legislation (EN3036)

From 43 petitioners - requesting a repeal of s138(2)(a) of the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986(EN3037)

From 71 petitioners - requesting to amend preferential ballot voting (EN3038)

From 148 petitioners - requesting reforms to the Australian Constitution with a greater gender equality focus (EN3040)

From 5 petitioners - requesting for Iran to be urged to obey and uphold international agreements and domestic laws (EN3041)

From 116 petitioners - requesting to reject the Uluru Statement and Indigenous voice to Parliament (EN3042)

From 87 petitioners - requesting to disband the ATSI advisory group on the Australian school curriculum (EN3043)

From 10918 petitioners - requesting to decriminalise cannabis (EN3044)

From 47 petitioners - requesting premature baby leave (EN3045)

From 108891 petitioners - requesting to immediately stop COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 12-16 (EN3046)

From 28 petitioners - requesting a Royal Commission to examine adult content platforms (EN3048)

From 50 petitioners - requesting for over 60s to have a choice in vaccinations (EN3049)

From 707 petitioners - requesting to repeal Section 50A of the Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 (EN3052)

From 514 petitioners - requesting immigration pathways for minors born in New Zealand (EN3053)

Petitions certified by the Committee on 11 August

From 14 petitioners - requesting a change to the name of some Australian currency (EN3055)

From 97 petitioners - requesting to increase the age pension to align with the minimum wage (EN3058)

From 28 petitioners - requesting to vaccinate all Australians before relaxing COVID-19 restrictions (EN3062)

From 1840 petitioners - requesting to stop the use of COVID-19 vaccines in young people and students (EN3070)

From 863 petitioners - requesting to reopen the Home Builder Grant to all eligible homebuilders and renovators (EN3071)

From 1335 petitioners - requesting that pathology labs report the accuracy of their COVID-19 tests (EN3072)

From 4054 petitioners - requesting to stop the discrimination of Australians not taking COVID-19 vaccines (EN3073)

From 4 petitioners - requesting to add the hospitality industry to the priority Pfizer vaccination program (EN3078)

From 153 petitioners - requesting to allow vaccinated Australians to travel overseas without quarantining on return (EN3079)

From 1460 petitioners - requesting to allow compassionate travel exemptions for a support person to be present during the perinatal period for pregnant women (EN3080)

From 11 petitioners - requesting to stop cigarette smoking within Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (EN3082)

From 128492 petitioners - requesting that all COVID-19 vaccinations be halted immediately (EN3083)

From 42760 petitioners - requesting to stop the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for children and young people (EN3084)

From 170 petitioners - requesting daily alcohol testing of Members of Parliament (EN3085)

From 536 petitioners - requesting the protection of physical currency as a means of payment (EN3086)

From 1942 petitioners - requesting to ban gain of function research and its promotion (EN3088)

From 240 petitioners - requesting to make the Pfizer vaccine available for people under 40 years of age (EN3089)

From 192 petitioners - requesting an immediate end to hotel quarantine in Australia (EN3090)

From 128 petitioners - requesting to ban coral damaging sunscreens in all marine parks (EN3093)

From 485 petitioners - requesting an international travel exemption for parents of Australians and permanent residents (EN3094)

Petitions certified by the Committee on 25 August

From 85 petitioners - requesting to ban alcohol in Parliament House and government buildings (EN3099)

From 105 petitioners - requesting to allow Australians who reside overseas to leave Australia without requiring an exemption (EN3102)

From 147 petitioners - requesting to make Novavax available to Australian citizens (EN3104)

From 16 petitioners - requesting an automatic exemption for Australian expats to leave Australia (EN3107)

From 14787 petitioners - requesting that international or domestic vaccine passports not be introduced (EN3108)

From 5693 petitioners - requesting to keep medical information private (EN3112)

From 16 petitioners - requesting to reinstate reparation payments for survivors of Australian Defence Force abuse (EN3114)

From 389 petitioners - requesting to stop mass vaccination and to lower viral infectivity rates by other means (EN3115)

From 315 petitioners - requesting an exemption for certain visa holders to enter Australia (EN3116)

From 6532 petitioners - requesting that domestic vaccine passports not be introduced (EN3119)

From 20 petitioners - requesting an inquiry into funding for niche sports broadcasting (EN3122)

From 128 petitioners - requesting to remove preference voting (EN3126)

From 856 petitioners - requesting emergency authorisation for the use of Ivermectin (EN3127)

From 4712 petitioners - requesting public advice on whether COVID-19 vaccines contain graphene oxide (EN3128)

From 52 petitioners - requesting Australian residency for non-black South Africans (EN3129)

From 64 petitioners - requesting to rescind the law demanding expatriate Australians to have to ask permission to leave Australia (EN3132)

From 68 petitioners - requesting the Australian Government make a greater climate change action commitment at the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference (EN3134)

From 20 petitioners - requesting to accelerate climate change prevention measures (EN3135)

From 22 petitioners - requesting a ban on tobacco products (EN3137)

From 20 petitioners - requesting a mandate for businesses to use more renewable energy (EN3139)

From 11072 petitioners - requesting to use Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (EN3141)

From 165 petitioners - requesting to put medicinal cannabis on a cannabis access scheme (EN3145)

From 21 petitioners - requesting to commit to a net zero emissions target by 2050 (EN3146)

From 269 petitioners - requesting a day of prayer in the House of Representatives (EN3152)

From 59 petitioners - requesting the nuclear power ban remains in place (EN3153)

From 8553 petitioners - requesting the approval of Chinese made COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia (EN3158)

From 525 petitioners - requesting to bring families of Australian residents and vulnerable Afghanistan residents to Australia from Afghanistan (EN3159)

From 34 petitioners - requesting the provision of urgent humanitarian support to Afghanistan (EN3161)

From 8 petitioners - requesting support for residents of Afghanistan (EN3164)

From 974 petitioners - concerning nursing registrations (EN3168)

From 5852 petitioners - requesting the provision of evidence that COVID-19 exists (EN3169)

From 423 petitioners - requesting refuge be provided for citizens of Afghanistan (EN3174)

From 14 petitioners - concerning the Australian Curriculum (EN3175)

From 38 petitioners - requesting a one-off humanitarian intake of the most vulnerable residents Afghanistan (EN3176)

From 19 petitioners - requesting an urgent increase to grant protection visas for at-risk citizens of Afghanistan (EN3177)

From 1487 petitioners - requesting urgent and ongoing funding for the Northern Territory's Working Women's Centre (EN3178)

From 102614 petitioners - requesting to immediately release all Therapeutic Goods Administration submission documents for publicly funded vaccines (EN3179)

From 41 petitioners - requesting action to end marine pollution (EN3180)

From 676 petitioners - requesting the immediate approval and rollout of the Novavax vaccine (EN3182)

From 172 petitioners - requesting an increase to the allowance of humanitarian visas for refugees from Afghanistan (EN3183)

From 232 petitioners - requesting changes to the House petitioning process (EN3188)

From 216 petitioners - requesting for access to personal superannuation as a COVID-19 relief measure (EN3190)

Petitions certified by the Committee on 1 September

From 3025 petitioners - requesting an investigation into vaccinations and clinic vaccination trials (EN3193)

From 35 petitioners - requesting for the acceptance of more refugees from Afghanistan (EN3194)

From 1536 petitioners - requesting for alternate COVID-19 treatment options (EN3196)

From 9 petitioners - requesting assistance for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (EN3199)

From 10565 petitioners - requesting that COVID-19 vaccines not be made mandatory for government employees (EN3203)

From 2353 petitioners - requesting an Australian Bill of Rights be drafted (EN3205)

From 159 petitioners - requesting an increase in the amount provided for COVID-19 support payments (EN3206)

From 87 petitioners - requesting the recovery of unnecessary JobKeeper payments (EN3207)

From 65 petitioners - requesting a ban on the mass distribution of fridge magnets (EN3208)

From 179 petitioners - requesting additional privacy protections for Census data (EN3211)

From 123 petitioners - requesting an extension on the validity of expressions of interest for certain visas (EN3212)

From 12525 petitioners - requesting the disclosure of white papers describing the isolation of COVID-19 (EN3213)

From 8465 petitioners - requesting alternate treatment options for COVID-19 (EN3214)

From 1216 petitioners - requesting for certain disorders to be included in the NDIS (EN3215)

From 316 petitioners - requesting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 (EN3222)

From 108 petitioners - requesting the development of national minimum accommodation standards for farm workers (EN3223)

The following ministerial responses to petitions were received:

Responses received by the Committee on 1 September

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition concerning international students and pathways to permanent residency (EN2540)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition concerning Australia's character requirements under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 and removal of New Zealand citizens (EN2545)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting an expanded and more effective quarantine system for returned Australians (EN2650)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition requesting laws be introduced to protect the construction industry from fraud (EN2718)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition concerning false allegations made in court proceedings (EN2749)

From the Minister for the Environment - to a petition requesting that the Museum of Underwater Art structures not go ahead within the Great Palm Island group or surrounding waters (PN0515)

Responses received by the Committee on 29 September

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petitionrequesting that the Government conduct a petition on compulsory donations to bushfire and drought relief (EN1265)

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petitionrequesting proof of identity to purchase baby formula (EN1483)

From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy - to a petition concerning compulsory retirement (EN1825)

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding a progressive procreation tax (EN1995)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition requesting a ban on all forms of gambling advertisements on television and radio (EN2593)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition requesting a ban on all forms of gambling advertisements on all platforms (EN2595)

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petitionconcerning how the Consumer Price Index is measured and what level the cash rate is set at (EN2600)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition concerning Australia becoming a party to the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (EN2603)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition concerning proof of age for online pornography (EN2614)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting the provision of medical supplies to India in response to the recent COVID-19 surge in infections (EN2636)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition concerning religious freedom, the Religious Discrimination Bill and the associated legislative package (EN2638)

From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts - to a petition concerning grant processes in the Australian screen industry (EN2656)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention - to a petitionrequesting a three digit suicide prevention hotline (EN2684)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition concerning Israeli aggression towards Palestinians (EN2692, EN2715, EN2710)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to allow people to pay for vaccinations if they wish to do so (EN2695)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition concerning the removal of the Avastin brand of the medicine bevacizumab, from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (EN2697)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition concerning the introduction of health labels on alcohol products and to protect children exposed to alcohol advertisements from the sponsorships in sports broadcasts (EN2704)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition concerning the establishment of mass vaccination centres and launching a national media campaign to positively promote COVID-19 vaccines (EN2716)

From the Minister for Sport - to a petition regarding the promotion of yoga in Australia (EN2724)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition concerning workers engaged in the gig economy (EN2730)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition concerning the imposition of quarantine for returning travellers to Australia (EN2735)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting the Australian Government place sanctions on Palestine (EN2741)

From the Minister for Education and Youth - to a petition concerning the Australian Curriculum (EN2747)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting COVID-19 vaccinations not be made mandatory (EN2753)

From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition concerning foreign investment in Australia (EN2757)

From the Attorney-General - to a petition concerning an Australian Bill of Rights (EN2762)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition concerning the welfare of Indian farmers (EN2784)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to provide all Australians with access to COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of age (EN2785)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to provide all Australians with a choice of COVID-19 vaccine (EN2787)

From the Minister for Education and Youth - to a petition requesting that Cantonese and Traditional Chinese be provided as elective language courses to Australian secondary students (EN2792)

From the Minister for Families and Social Services - to a petition concerning the cashless debit card (EN2799)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting multiple dedicated federal quarantine facilities to manage incoming travellers (EN2802)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition concerning a national COVID-19 roadmap towards zero lockdowns and international travel (EN2807)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting that all citizens over the age of 18 be automatically registered as organ donors (EN2811)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting that vaccinated Australians be allowed to travel overseas and quarantine at home upon their return (EN2812)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to relax quarantine arrangements for fully vaccinated Australians returning from overseas (EN2824)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting the opening of Australia's borders (EN2839)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to donate doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka (EN2841)

From the Minister for Education and Youth - to a petition concerning the cost of higher education in Australia (EN2847)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting that the Therapeutic Goods Administration assess the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 (EN2855)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to allow fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents to leave the country in case of an emergency or for compassionate reasons (EN2859)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to provide doses of AstraZeneca to Bangladesh (EN2869)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting a hard deadline for a date by which fully vaccinated Australians can travel internationally (EN2875)

From the Minister for the Environment - to a petition requesting to ban all woodfires and open fireplaces (EN2878)

From the Speaker of the House of Representatives - to a petition concerning the webpage of the House Standing Committee on Petitions (EN2881)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to allow aged care workers to have a choice to not have the COVID-19 vaccine and instead use full protective personal protective equipment (EN2886)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting the establishment of a COVID-19 vaccination passport to facilitate exemption from public health order arrangements such as lockdowns and mandatory mask wearing (EN2887)

From the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia - to a petition concerning the labelling of meat (EN2888)

From the Speaker of the House of Representatives - to a petition concerning the replacement of religious observances at the start of parliamentary proceedings (EN2895)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting to extend access to subsidised FreeStyle Libre to all Australians living with diabetes using insulin through the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative (EN2914)

From the Minister for Home Affairs - to a petition concerning regional processing arrangements for illegal maritime arrivals (PN0513)

Mr Ken O'Dowd

Chair - Petitions Committee