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

I present report No. 25 of the Standing Committee on Petitions.

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 25

Petitions and Ministerial Responses

14 May 2024

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 28 February 2024, 20 March 2024, 27 March 2024 and 22 April 2024.

1. The committee resolved to present the following 81 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:

Petitions certified on 28 February 2024

From 18 petitioners—requesting that weight loss medication be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (EN5929)

From 8525 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and that Palestinian Australians be made eligible for the Australian Victim of Terrorism Overseas Payment (EN5932)

From 35 petitioners—requesting an amendment to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986regarding timeframes for the forwarding of documents to the Veterans' Review Board (EN5934)

From 57 petitioners—requesting an amendment to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986regarding timeframes of reviews (EN5935)

From 351 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government resume funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (EN5938)

From 50 petitioners—requesting a review of safeguards and legislation related to cybercrime and online safety (EN5939)

From 58 petitioners—requesting that recent legislation related to the use and importation of vapes be revised (EN5940)

From 1163 petitioners—requesting that caps to Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) applications be reconsidered (EN5942)

From 63 petitioners—requesting a nationwide review of Telstra's network and service (EN5943)

From 15 petitioners—regarding South Australian regional passenger rail services (EN5945)

From 26 petitioners—requesting that Australia's rail infrastructure be modernised to increase efficiency (EN5946)

From 16 petitioners—requesting that the House condemn antisemitism (EN5947)

From 44 petitioners—requesting permanent residency for temporary residents who lived and worked in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5950)

From 1219 petitioners—requesting an investigation into Australian citizens living or working in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (EN5954)

From 23 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government commit to increasing foreign aid to Ukraine (EN5955)

From 19 petitioners—requesting that first homebuyers be given early access to their superannuation (EN5957)

From 9 petitioners—regarding multiple members of one family having political careers (EN5959)

From 866 petitioners—requesting that cash remain legal tender (EN5960)

From 50 petitioners—requesting that an update be made to the Statement of Principles concerning tooth wear (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 52 of 2017) (EN5961)

From 27 petitioners—requesting the publication of information regarding Australia's largest banks (EN5963)

From 35 petitioners—requesting the legalisation of oral nicotine pouches (EN5964)

Petitions certified on 20 March 2024

From 27 petitioners—requesting additional funding and other measures to assist the Australian music and arts sector (EN5966)

From 135 petitioners—regarding concerns related to a cashless economy (EN5967)

From 9 petitioners—regarding interest rate rises (EN5969)

From 4 petitioners—requesting an explanation of the Australian Government's position on the recent Pakistani general election (EN5970)

From 78 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government consider implementing nuclear power (EN5972)

From 13 petitioners—requesting amendments be made to the Gene Technology Act 2000 to protect organic growers from litigation (EN5973)

From 6 petitioners—requesting that more immediate action be taken to address climate change (EN5974)

From 18 petitioners—regarding Australia's relationship with the European Union (EN5976)

From 33 petitioners—regarding the eligibility of voters in Australian elections (EN5977)

From 4 petitioners—regarding hospitality workers being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke in hotel gaming areas (EN5978)

From 624 petitioners—requesting that Australia implement fixed-price laws for books to protect independent booksellers (EN5979)

From 2102 petitioners—requesting restrictions to explicit content in public and school libraries (EN5982)

From 651 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government halt the activities of the Shincheonji Church (EN5983)

From 8 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5984)

From 3 petitioners—requesting legislative changes regarding the adoption of renewable energy (EN5985)

From 2332 petitioners—requesting the cessation of unpaid clinical placements and further financial support for healthcare students (EN5988)

From 4172 petitioners—regarding National Disability Insurance Scheme plan management (EN5993)

From 48 petitioners—regarding eligibility requirements for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applicants (EN5994)

From 63 petitioners—requesting that the House identify the former Australian politician who was alleged, by the ASIO Director-General, to have been involved in a foreign interference operation (EN5996)

From 38331 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government cancel all existing contracts with Elbit Systems and preclude Elbit Systems from receiving future contacts (EN5997)

From 10 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5998)

From 13 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5999)

From 6 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN6000)

From 2 petitioners—regarding Australia's response to the recent Pakistani general election (EN6002)

From 47 petitioners—regarding supermarket price increases (EN6003)

From 12 petitioners¬—requesting a reduction in the burning of fossil fuels (EN6005)

From 26 petitioners—regarding increases to the cost of living (EN6011)

From 20 petitioners—requesting that all schools and learning spaces be made wheelchair accessible (EN6013)

From 3 petitioners—requesting that artificial intelligence be incorporated into school curriculums (EN6014)

From 25 petitioners—requesting that further action be taken to address the rising cost of food (EN6016)

From 324 petitioners—regarding global shortages of the ADHD drug lisdexamfetamine (EN6020)

From 19 petitioners—requesting the publication of e-petitions in independent local and regional newspapers (EN6021)

From 3 petitioners—requesting an increase in funding for the Australian Institute of Sport (EN6024)

From 17803 petitioners—requesting that the drug belzutifan to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (EN6026)

From 1035 petitioners—requesting further mental health and psychiatric care facilities and practitioners for Karratha and the Pilbara region (EN6029)

From 63 petitioners—requesting legalisation of the myxomatosis vaccine to protect domestic rabbits (EN6031)

From 144 petitioners—requesting the closure of the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (EN6032)

From 30 petitioners—requesting that wheelchair accessibility be mandated for all future non-domestic buildings (EN6034)

From 16 petitioners—requesting further supports for people who are experiencing houselessness or who are sleeping rough (EN6036)

From 54 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into Members' and Senators' expenses (EN6039)

From 73 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Medicare benefit for skin checks (EN6040)

From 9 petitioners—requesting legislation to limit increases to the price of food (EN6041)

Petitions certified on 27 March 2024

From 18 petitioners—requesting that a tax levy be imposed upon multinational corporations to fund aged care (EN6045)

From 135 petitioners—regarding funding and grants for Village Hubs under the Seniors Connected program (EN6046)

From 55 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government reconsider proposed new vehicle efficiency standards (EN6047)

From 68 petitioners—requesting that the age of permanent independence for Youth Allowance eligibility be lowered to 18 years (EN6048)

From 252 petitioners—requesting that medicinal cannabis be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (EN6049)

From 58 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government take further measures to reduce the cost of energy (EN6053)

From 984 petitioners—requesting legislation to protect against the misuse of artificial intelligence and AI-generated content (EN6054)

From 222 petitioners—regarding the potential misuse of neuromonitoring (EN6055)

From 115 petitioners—regarding payment methods for the use of electric vehicle charging stations (EN6056)

From 128 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government cease funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (EN6057)

From 118 petitioners—requesting that further measures be taken to address the availability of housing and rental affordability(EN6058)

From 6 petitioners—regarding representation of religious faiths in the arts, communications and on social media (EN6060)

From 14 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government consider the resale value of electric cars as part of proposed new vehicle efficiency standards (EN6063)

From 145 petitioners—regarding the Australian Government's position on the results of the 2024 Russian presidential election (EN6065)

Petitions certified on 22 April 2024

From 44 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government raise the age of criminal responsibility (PN0596)

From 44 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza (PN0597)

From 1 petitioner—requesting that the House, in response to the recent Russian presidential election, declare the leadership of Vladimir Putin to be illegitimate (PN0602)

From 22608 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government advocate to stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China (PN0605)

2. The following 56 ministerial responses to petitions were received.

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 27 March 2024

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting permanent residency for international students who studied in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic (EN3877)

From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding changes to the solar feed-in rate (EN5021)

From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition regarding public education on the structure and function of Executive Government (EN5409)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding skilled regional visas and the qualifying period for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visas (EN5417)

From the Minister for Financial Services to a petition regarding automatic re-billing by online service providers (EN5478)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's Humanitarian Settlement Program (EN5536)

From the Minister for Financial Services to a petition regarding face-to-face banking services (EN5599)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting support for a national skin check program (EN5615)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Australia (EN5625)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka (EN5631)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that Australia make representations to the International Criminal Court to prosecute Hamas and the Government of Israel (EN5633)

From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting a Royal Commission into Australia's regional processing arrangements (EN5644)

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting the implementation of European-equivalent emissions standards for all vehicles sold in Australia (EN5647)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting Medicare funding for GP-referred Magnetic Resonance Imaging (EN5699)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding Australia's membership of the World Health Organisation (EN5836)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting an audit of the Laura Johnson Home (PN0588)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting an inquiry into the involvement of Australians serving in the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza (PN0591)

Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 22 April 2024

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding lodging and processing arrangements for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) (Replacement stream) visa (EN3732)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa validity periods for Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders (EN3745)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa applications (EN3872)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa validity periods for Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders (EN4366)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa validity periods for Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders (EN4469)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting the inclusion of childcare workers on the Australian Skilled Migration Occupation Lists (EN4490)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the need for additional childcare workers in Australia (EN4604)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting a permanent residency pathway for temporary residents who lived and worked in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5151)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government denounce and impose sanctions upon Israel (EN5265)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government advocate for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (EN5578)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government impose sanctions and employ diplomatic measures in response to the conflict in Gaza (EN5590)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas (EN5591)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza (EN5601)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government condemn Israel's actions in Palestine (EN5603)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas (EN5622)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict in Gaza and the response of the Australian Government (EN5628)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the re-opening of the Australian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine (EN5629)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (EN5632)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government condemn Israel's actions in Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire (EN5639)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government advocate for an immediate ceasefire in all wars (EN5654)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (EN5665)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Palestinian statehood (EN5685)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas (EN5694)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict in Gaza (EN5704)

From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting changes to the Assessing Fitness to Drive standard (EN5709)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict in Gaza (EN5756)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the reduction of the maximum age from 50 years to 35 years for Temporary Graduate visa applicants (EN5774)

From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the reduction of the maximum age from 50 years to 35 years for Temporary Graduate visa applicants (EN5790)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the communication of advice about consular support to Australian citizens and permanent residents who have family members in Gaza (EN5832)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government cease funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (EN5838)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's relationship with Syria (EN5846)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the re-establishment of direct support to Palestinians evacuating from Gaza (EN5847)

From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review (EN5849)

From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme for people living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (EN5855)

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the proposed World Health Organisation pandemic preparedness treaty (EN5878)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict in Gaza (EN5890)

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government reinstate funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (EN5899)

From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the Child Support Scheme and related legislation (EN5915)

From the Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting a moratorium on dingo culling and that the use of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate)be prohibited (EN5918)

Ms Susan Templeman MP

Chair—Petitions Committee