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

Petitions to the House of Representatives give us a glimpse into the issues that are important to Australians at a particular time. The Petitions Committee is always interested to see the diversity of matters submitted to the House by petitioners. Petitions can relate to a general policy area such as action on climate change or can be more specific, such as the listing of a particular medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In all cases, petitions must make a request of the House on a matter on which the House has the power to act.

Some of the larger petitions presented today include a request to protect the identities of Australian Defence Force personnel under investigation; a request to halt a proposed wind farm off the coast of Port Stephens; and a request to ban gambling advertising on television, radio and online.

There are also a number of petitions related to migration issues this week, including a request to review the processing times under the Business Innovation and Investment Program, a request to remove the need for English language testing for overseas-born, Australian educated graduates for immigration and other purposes, and a request for better visa pathways for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Each of the petitions presented today is published on the parliamentary website and will be referred to the minister responsible for the matters raised in the petition for a written response.

I thank the House.