The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 03
Petitions a nd Ministerial Responses
27 October 2025
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP
Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP
Mr Cameron Caldwell MP
Ms Emma Comer MP
Ms Trish Cook MP
Mr Rowan Holzberger MP
Mr Llew O'Brien MP
Ms Tracey Roberts 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 48th Parliament on 20 August, 26 August, 2 September and 23 September 2025.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 264 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 20 August 2025
From 18 petitioners—requesting that all cars sold in Australia offer an option to disable features that may distract drivers (EN7343)
From 6 petitioners—requesting policies to attract electric vehicle manufacturers to establish production in Australia (EN7344)
From 20 petitioners—requesting Australia move towards economic independence from the United States and strengthen ties with other democratic nations (EN7349)
From 15 petitioners—requesting reduced cigarette taxes and alternative approaches to address illegal tobacco and support low-income households (EN7353)
From 57 petitioners—requesting the lifting of the ban on nuclear energy and investment in nuclear power infrastructure (EN7354)
From 40 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of environmental education for foreign visitors to promote responsible tourism (EN7355)
From 751 petitioners—requesting regulations to allow the importation of small quantities of well-packaged Ethiopian spices (EN7356)
From 5 petitioners—requesting Australia cease the AUKUS agreement and trade with Canada and the European Union (EN7358)
From 33 petitioners—requesting equal legal representation for both parents in Family Court and the removal of financial barriers (EN7359)
From 16 petitioners—requesting enactment of protected designation of origin laws to support a free trade agreement with the European Union (EN7363)
From 9 petitioners—requesting legislation to prevent companies charging women more for substantially similar goods and services (EN7367)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that Centrelink update its definition of disability (EN7368)
From 10 petitioners—requesting inclusion of paramedic students in the Commonwealth Prac Payment (EN7371)
From 4 petitioners—requesting funding and programs to target literacy in government schools (EN7372)
From 108 petitioners—requesting that skill assessments for physiotherapists be based on AHPRA and Australian experience (EN7373)
From 8 petitioners—requesting laws to ensure equal wages regardless of age
(EN7374)
From 401 petitioners—requesting establishment of a Family Court Investigative Service (EN7378)
From 1253 petitioners—requesting Medicare subsidised Eating Disorder Plans include individuals diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (EN7379)
From 3 petitioners—requesting Australia end all treaties and alliances except with the United States and Russia (EN7380)
From 10 petitioners—requesting removal of goods and services tax in Australia (EN7383)
From 84 petitioners—requesting increased protections for self-managed superannuation fund and retail investors (EN7384)
From 77 petitioners—requesting government support for victims of fraud and stricter investment broker requirements (EN7385)
From 21 petitioners—requesting national hospital nutrition standards and improved food service guidelines (EN7389)
From 9 petitioners—requesting recognition of solo parents as 'family' under the Family Law Act (EN7392)
From 831 petitioners—requesting an independent inquiry into the Westall incident (EN7396)
From 9 petitioners—requesting legislation to guarantee minimum Centrelink payments (EN7397)
From 21 petitioners—requesting strengthening of the online petitions system with more options for feedback and discussion (EN7398)
From 4 petitioners—requesting withdrawal from the nuclear non- proliferation treaty and development of nuclear weapons (EN7401)
From 19 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into early childhood education and amendments to quality standards (EN7402)
From 4 petitioners—requesting expanded powers for the Australian Electoral Commission or a new regulator to manage election and referendum campaigning (EN7403)
From 211 petitioners—requesting enactment of a law to address online bullying and harassment (EN7404)
From 4 petitioners—requesting reinstatement of the Australian Active Service Medal for warlike operations post-2015 (EN7408)
From 5 petitioners—requesting reforms to passport laws to address coercive control (EN7411)
From 5 petitioners—requesting inclusion of prosthetic joint infection patients in the Stoma Application Scheme (EN7412)
From 113 petitioners—requesting recognition of Lyme disease as a chronic condition and improved support for patients (EN7414)
From 10 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into copyright and data abuse by Artificial Intelligence platforms (EN7415)
From 5 petitioners—requesting reform of classification standards for games, cinema and television (EN7416)
From 25 petitioners—requesting a ban on lab-grown meat production in Australia (EN7418)
From 7 petitioners—requesting guaranteed medical treatment for all former Australian Defence Force members (EN7419)
From 26 petitioners—requesting legislation to prohibit politicians and political parties from making false or misleading statements (EN7420)
From 7 petitioners—requesting consideration of acquiring Pacific National for public ownership (EN7421)
From 9 petitioners—requesting a ban on sonar purchases by the general public and unlicensed organisations (EN7423)
From 19 petitioners—requesting tax relief for general practitioners to support bulk billing (EN7424)
From 10 petitioners—requesting legalisation of private collection and preservation of cannabis seeds (EN7429)
From 4 petitioners—requesting donation of mining equipment to the Democratic Republic of Congo (EN7432)
From 7 petitioners—requesting legislation to regulate political spam messages and require opt-out options (EN7434)
From 5 petitioners—requesting legislation to require unsubscribe options for political communications (EN7435)
From 9 petitioners—requesting removal of privacy and spam exemptions for political parties (EN7436)
From 16 petitioners—requesting amendment of legislation to require unsubscribe options for political communications (EN7439)
From 8 petitioners—requesting amendments to allow people to control who can send them text messages (EN7442)
From 4 petitioners—requesting mandatory unsubscribe options for political communications (EN7443)
From 76 petitioners—requesting mandatory unsubscribe options for political communications via text message (EN7444)
From 3 petitioners—requesting mandatory unsubscribe options for political communications (EN7445)
From 4 petitioners—requesting removal of exemptions for political parties from spam laws and mandatory opt-out options (EN7446)
From 98 petitioners—requesting legislative amendments to prohibit unsolicited political communications (EN7448)
From 6154 petitioners—requesting dedicated funding for a national stillbirth awareness campaign (EN7449)
From 29 petitioners—requesting mandatory unsubscribe options for political communications (EN7451)
From 5 petitioners—regarding political representatives contacting individuals without consent (EN7452)
From 7 petitioners—requesting a ban on political spam messages (EN7453)
From 105 petitioners—requesting support for the development of a new single-site hospital in Albury/Wodonga (EN7454)
From 10 petitioners—requesting legislation to classify unsolicited political texts and calls as spam (EN7455)
From 20 petitioners—requesting unlimited work rights for partners of international students (EN7456)
From 10 petitioners—requesting establishment of a permanent Disability Voice to Parliament led by people with lived experience (EN7457)
From 11 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the effectiveness of Headspace (EN7458)
From 33 petitioners—requesting local content quotas on streaming services
(EN7460)
From 18 petitioners—requesting increased housing availability for Australian citizens (EN7461)
From 15 petitioners—requesting removal of political party exemptions from the Spam Act 2003 (EN7462)
From 4 petitioners—regarding education providers advertising placements without first arranging them for students (EN7463)
From 9 petitioners—requesting removal of the English language test requirement for permanent residency applicants with Australian study and work experience (EN7466)
From 35 petitioners—requesting a reduction in immigration and reform of the building industry (EN7467)
From 10 petitioners—requesting investigation into vote counting and safeguards for electoral integrity (EN7468)
From 20 petitioners—requesting deployment of a humanitarian field hospital in Gaza (EN7469)
From 27 petitioners—requesting health card access for allied veterans who served in coalition forces post-1990 (EN7470)
From 449 petitioners—requesting replacement of preferential voting with a simplified system and stronger transparency in political campaigns (EN7471)
From 5 petitioners—requesting a review of offshoring practices (EN7475)
From 16 petitioners—requesting a national ban on geo-engineering and weather modification activities (EN7479)
From 4 petitioners—requesting action to encourage de-escalation between India and Pakistan (EN7480)
From 127 petitioners—requesting an end to force posture initiatives and removal of foreign troops from Australia (EN7481)
From 10 petitioners—requesting establishment of a rural and remote veterinary service model (EN7482)
From 11 petitioners—requesting closer integration of trade, immigration and defence ties between Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand (EN7484)
From 6 petitioners—requesting a ban on businesses charging late fees
(EN7486)
From 3 petitioners—requesting reform of the parent visa program to reduce processing times (EN7490)
From 16 petitioners—requesting reduction of the tax rate on superannuation withdrawals for working holiday makers (EN7491)
From 20 petitioners—requesting establishment of a nationwide judicial commission (EN7494)
From 15 petitioners—requesting opposition to any proposal to introduce a tax on unrealised capital gains (EN7500)
From 14 petitioners—requesting increase of the personal income tax-free threshold to match the self-support income amount (EN7501)
From 25 petitioners—requesting consideration of closer integration of trade, immigration and defence ties between Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand (EN7502)
From 60 petitioners—requesting protection for doctors legally prescribing medicinal cannabis (EN7504)
From 8 petitioners—requesting negotiation of reciprocal migration benefits for Australians wishing to settle in Malta (EN7506)
From 1533 petitioners—requesting introduction of an own use exemption for beekeepers to use non-synthetic treatments for Varroa mite (EN7508)
From 416 petitioners—regarding processing of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applications (EN7512)
From 24 petitioners—requesting increased Medicare rebates and unlimited bulk billing for psychiatric and psychology services (EN7513)
From 33 petitioners—requesting reforms to the family law system (EN7514)
From 161 petitioners—requesting national guidelines for access to loading zones for professional musicians (EN7515)
From 16 petitioners—requesting adjustment of humanitarian visa terms to permit easier resettlement for LGBTIQ+ people (EN7520)
From 13 petitioners—requesting removal of privacy law exemptions for political parties (EN7521)
From 91 petitioners—requesting review of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to balance human rights and free speech (EN7526)
From 40 petitioners—requesting consideration of closer ties between Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand (EN7527)
From 13 petitioners—regarding a tax on unrealised capital gains (EN7531)
From 27 petitioners—requesting a review of legislation to remove exemptions for politicians (EN7533)
From 15 petitioners—requesting replacement of the current tax system with a single 1% tax on all purchases and abolition of income tax (EN7535)
From 82 petitioners—requesting legislative reforms to ensure all laws apply equally to politicians and the public (EN7540)
Petitions certified on 26 August 2025
From 6 petitioners—requesting consideration of a federal bitcoin and cryptocurrency reserve (EN7386)
From 5 petitioners—requesting a motion expressing views on Hamas and its designation as a terrorist organisation (EN7406)
From 12 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a special humanitarian visa program for transgender individuals from the United Kingdom (EN7430)
From 8 petitioners—requesting the abolition of compulsory voting in Australia (EN7438)
From 106 petitioners—requesting condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza
(EN7472)
From 6276 petitioners—requesting a requirement for professional reports submitted by National Disability Insurance Scheme participants to be considered in needs assessments (EN7545)
From 12 petitioners—requesting changes to the process for determining child support payments (EN7548)
From 8 petitioners—requesting an increase to the personal income tax-free threshold to match the self-supporting income amount (EN7549)
From 3 petitioners—requesting relocation of a proposed wind farm away from the Kalbarri tourist skyline (EN7550)
From 87 petitioners—requesting independent investigation and reforms to address sexual assault and support survivors in the Australian Defence Force (EN7552)
From 1839 petitioners—requesting rejection of any proposal to tax unrealised capital gains (EN7556)
From 19 petitioners—requesting standards for truth and accuracy in political reporting (EN7559)
From 51 petitioners—requesting expansion of child care subsidies to include families who provide care at home (EN7560)
From 51 petitioners—regarding government-funded parental leave payments for new permanent residents (EN7561)
From 7 petitioners—requesting legislative changes to allow Tax File Numbers to be reissued to victims of identity theft (EN7562)
From 38 petitioners—requesting the cessation of immigration and prioritisation of domestic issues (EN7602)
From 136 petitioners—regarding access to guide dogs for people who are blind or have low vision and also have reduced mobility (EN7604)
From 17 petitioners—requesting a change to the Australian National Anthem
(EN7606)
From 20 petitioners—requesting an increase in Disability Support Pension payment rates (EN7607)
From 13 petitioners—requesting abolition of taxes for lower income earners and increased taxation for higher earners (EN7610)
From 221 petitioners—requesting reform of the Family Law Act 1975 and associated processes (EN7611)
From 1274 petitioners—requesting a government-backed business loan guarantee scheme (EN7615)
From 433 petitioners—requesting extension of Pensioner Concession Card benefits to self-funded retirees eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (EN7616)
From 12 petitioners—requesting establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to support social, welfare and infrastructure programs (EN7618)
From 5127 petitioners—requesting independent scrutiny and increased funding for support coordination in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN7619)
From 8 petitioners—requesting measures to prioritise local employment and limit outsourcing (EN7620)
From 5 petitioners—requesting measures to increase support for Australian music and local artists on public broadcasting platforms (EN7621)
From 1 petitioner—requesting measures to support access to international artists and performances (EN7622)
From 38 petitioners—requesting legislation to reduce or eliminate plastic waste (EN7623)
From 7 petitioners—requesting an independent review of National Disability Insurance Agency pricing arrangements (EN7633)
From 10 petitioners—requesting improvements to Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) processing and to the immigration system (EN7640)
From 26 petitioners—requesting measures to strengthen child support obligations (EN7641)
From 3 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of visa processing for Iranian nationals (EN7642)
From 6 petitioners—requesting changes to the management of unemployment services (EN7644)
From 6 petitioners—requesting a policy of non-engagement in military conflicts (EN7646)
From 286 petitioners—requesting mandatory labelling for all products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (EN7647)
From 5 petitioners—requesting establishment of cross-jurisdictional consultation protocols for renewable energy policy changes (EN7649)
From 6 petitioners—requesting measures to strengthen privacy and data protection (EN7651)
From 1 petitioner—requesting enforcement of daily and weekly gaming limits for children (EN7659)
From 5 petitioners—requesting measures to strengthen cooperation with Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (EN7660)
From 11 petitioners—requesting adoption of a military neutrality policy
(EN7666)
From 4 petitioners—requesting options for non-wireless communication services (EN7669)
From 14 petitioners—requesting clarification regarding Hungarian citizenship regulations which may impact dual nationals (EN7670)
From 13 petitioners—requesting changes to require parliamentary approval for military deployments (EN7671)
From 133 petitioners—requesting formal bravery recognition for Childers Auxiliary firefighters (EN7672)
From 195 petitioners—requesting review of food safety regulations to permit dogs in indoor hospitality areas (EN7673)
From 11 petitioners—requesting changes to taxes on unrealised capital gains (EN7674)
From 4 petitioners—requesting review of hiring practices (EN7676)
From 92 petitioners—requesting stricter regulation of overseas investments and foreign ownership (EN7679)
From 14 petitioners—regarding taxes on unrealised capital gains (EN7681)
From 9 petitioners—requesting measures to improve access to university education for long-term visa holders (EN7683)
From 130 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of a particular visa application (EN7684)
From 91 petitioners—regarding mandatory registration for independent National Disability Insurance Scheme support workers and therapists (EN7685)
From 12 petitioners—requesting the inclusion of First Nations education in compulsory citizenship materials (EN7686)
From 76 petitioners—regarding legislation to tax unrealised capital gains involving superannuation (EN7687)
From 884 petitioners—requesting establishment of 21 June as Flannel Flower Day for mental health awareness and suicide remembrance for veterans (EN7689)
From 11 petitioners—requesting reform of child care safety regulations
(EN7692)
Petitions certified on 2 September 2025
From 12 petitioners—requesting access to superannuation funds for first home deposits (EN7493)
From 50 petitioners—requesting Australia to urge Israel to allow aid into Gaza (EN7497)
From 49 petitioners—requesting recognition of persecution of Crimean Tatars (EN7507)
From 48 petitioners—requesting independent review and public reporting of government budgets and financial interests (EN7511)
From 39 petitioners—requesting condemnation of the blockade in Gaza and support for humanitarian aid (EN7518)
From 2032 petitioners—requesting national regulation of assisted reproductive technology and a donor conception registry (EN7525)
From 23 petitioners—requesting diplomatic engagement with the Israeli ambassador concerning the situation in Gaza (EN7532)
From 669 petitioners—requesting a renewal pathway for offshore-qualified pharmacists to maintain credential validity (EN7534)
From 184 petitioners—requesting review of Australia's defence alliance with the United States to assess its relevance (EN7614)
From 85 petitioners—requesting mobilisation of Australian humanitarian aid to Gaza (EN7634)
From 7 petitioners—requesting that Australia avoid involvement in any potential conflict relating to Iran (EN7658)
From 8 petitioners—requesting restrictions on Australian support for United States military operations relating to Iran (EN7665)
From 53 petitioners—requesting sanctions against Israel (EN7668)
From 2917 petitioners—requesting support for Palestinians in Australia and diplomatic measures relating to Middle East conflicts (EN7675)
From 52 petitioners—requesting suspension of exports of any equipment which may be used in the conflict in Gaza (EN7682)
From 5 petitioners—regarding cheating in online multiplayer games
(EN7695)
From 7 petitioners—requesting mandatory surveillance cameras in child care settings (EN7696)
From 3 petitioners—requesting a Commonwealth loan guarantee scheme to support small business ownership (EN7697)
From 150 petitioners—requesting support for fair legal proceedings under international law (EN7699)
From 20 petitioners—requesting consumer law reform to prohibit disabling purchased video games (EN7703)
From 26 petitioners—requesting strengthened safeguarding measures in child care settings (EN7704)
From 37 petitioners—requesting legislation to require offline access for video games at the end of their commercial life (EN7706)
From 158 petitioners—requesting a pause and review of changes to disability support pricing (EN7711)
From 138 petitioners—requesting clear tax guidelines and policy review for employee ownership trusts (EN7712)
From 50 petitioners—requesting improved child safety checks and accountability measures (EN7713)
From 7 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into access to care for people with chronic pain (EN7723)
From 6 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into establishing a civilian militia force (EN7724)
From 11 petitioners—requesting changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing (EN7725)
From 14 petitioners—requesting higher travel safety level for the United States (EN7726)
From 224 petitioners—requesting a unified national system to strengthen checks for individuals working with children (EN7727)
From 2 petitioners—regarding alleged violations of international law by Israeli authorities in Gaza (EN7736)
From 67 petitioners—requesting a pause on immigration to address housing affordability (EN7738)
From 17 petitioners—requesting regulation of petrol pricing (EN7739)
From 5 petitioners—requesting inclusion of vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus and pertussis for older adults in the National Immunisation Schedule (EN7743)
From 89 petitioners—requesting the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador
(EN7750)
From 118 petitioners—requesting support for a ceasefire in Gaza and advocacy for humanitarian access (EN7751)
From 16 petitioners—regarding the feasibility of domestic nuclear weapons development (EN7754)
From 16 petitioners—requesting regulation of automated content moderation by large technology companies (EN7756)
From 14 petitioners—requesting consideration of citizen-initiated referenda
(EN7761)
From 9 petitioners—requesting negotiations for a mobility and security agreement with Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (EN7763)
From 8 petitioners—requesting establishment of a military and economic pact with New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom (EN7766)
From 684 petitioners—requesting expansion and reform of the Community Support Program for refugee visas (EN7767)
From 8 petitioners—requesting support for the resignation of Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism (EN7768)
From 248 petitioners—requesting the removal of Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism (EN7770)
From 101 petitioners—requesting tax exemptions for part-time research student stipends (EN7775)
From 168 petitioners—requesting independent safety evaluation of advanced artificial intelligence systems (EN7777)
From 5 petitioners—requesting changes to allow dual applications to the redress scheme for survivors of sexual abuse (EN7778)
From 76 petitioners—requesting stronger regulatory action and improved communication regarding complaints about charitable governance (EN7781)
From 2 petitioners—requesting exemptions from mandatory superannuation contributions for high-income earners (EN7782)
From 277 petitioners—requesting reform of parent visa programs to reduce wait times and financial barriers (EN7783)
From 245 petitioners—requesting negotiations for a mobility and security agreement with New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom (EN7784)
From 5 petitioners—requesting limited preferential voting in federal elections
(EN7785)
From 19 petitioners—requesting long-term specialist referrals for chronic conditions under Medicare (EN7787)
From 440 petitioners—requesting diplomatic advocacy for clemency and humanitarian consideration in the case of Debbie Voulgaris (EN7788)
From 27 petitioners—requesting legislation to prevent payment processors from restricting the sale of media (EN7790)
From 95 petitioners—requesting review of the adoption of the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement (EN7791)
From 16 petitioners—requesting reform of consumer rights for digital products and services (EN7792)
From 16 petitioners—requesting recognition of a Palestinian state (EN7795)
From 68 petitioners—requesting measures to prevent extended overseas military involvement and enable investigation of potential breaches of international law (EN7797)
From 56 petitioners—requesting investigation of access to digital goods and services (EN7798)
From 8655 petitioners—requesting regulation of payment processors as essential infrastructure (EN7799)
From 3 petitioners—requesting implementation of age verification on the Discord platform (EN7800)
From 1577 petitioners—requesting investigation of advocacy organisations for alleged coercive conduct (EN7802)
From 9 petitioners—requesting to lower the voting age and allow earlier enrolment (EN7804)
From 6 petitioners—requesting changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net and automation of safety net processes (EN7805)
From 17 petitioners—requesting public disclosure of funding sources and relationships for non-governmental organisations (EN7811)
From 61 petitioners—requesting consideration of a transition to a four-day work week (EN7812)
From 36 petitioners—requesting importation of hormone-treated beef be prohibited (EN7813)
From 55 petitioners—requesting Australian support for the Israeli Government be ceased (EN7814)
From 30 petitioners—requesting repeal of digital age verification requirements (EN7815)
From 37 petitioners—regarding concerns related to political leadership
(EN7816)
From 17 petitioners—requesting transparency related to professional athlete contracts (EN7817)
From 9 petitioners—requesting increased funding to support adoption of universal coercive control laws (EN7819)
From 17 petitioners—requesting recognition of Palestinian statehood and support for a ceasefire (EN7821)
From 7 petitioners—requesting support for a national clinical trial of faecal microbiota transplantation for treatment-resistant depression (EN7822)
From 131 petitioners—requesting repeal of social media age limit restrictions and support for digital literacy education (EN7824)
From 2 petitioners—requesting social media access for young people with strong safeguards (EN7826)
From 12 petitioners—requesting exclusion of YouTube from social media age limit restrictions (EN7827)
From 91 petitioners—requesting changes to online safety laws and adoption of a parent-child digital safety framework (EN7828)
From 9 petitioners—requesting exemption of YouTube and Discord from social media age limit restrictions (EN7829)
From 147 petitioners—requesting repeal of online safety legislation and protection of internet anonymity (EN7830)
From 2938 petitioners—requesting recognition of functional neurological disorder in disability support guidelines and improved access to support (EN7833)
From 5 petitioners—regarding the provision of supporting documents for expatriate adoptions (EN7835)
From 36 petitioners—requesting legislation requiring employers to provide feedback to job applicants (EN7836)
From 13 petitioners—requesting changes to the Australian National Flag
(EN7839)
From 18 petitioners—requesting removal of social media age limit restrictions (EN7842)
From 25 petitioners—requesting removal of social media age limit restrictions (EN7843)
From 25 petitioners—requesting changes to the management of child support payments (EN7844)
From 271 petitioners—requesting removal of social media age limit restrictions (EN7845)
From 95 petitioners—requesting standardised referral letters for allied health services under chronic condition management plans (EN7846)
From 150 petitioners—requesting repeal of social media age limit restrictions and support for parental controls (EN7847)
From 84 petitioners—requesting reduction of parliamentary salaries and increased transparency (EN7848)
From 43 petitioners—requesting consultation with young people on social media legislation (EN7849)
From 14 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into release of high-risk detainees and other matters (EN7855)
From 83 petitioners—requesting removal of subsidies and changes to taxation for oil and gas companies (EN7856)
From 214 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of social media age limit restrictions (EN7857)
From 61 petitioners—requesting a federally funded scheme for drug and alcohol testing in family law proceedings (EN7858)
From 139 petitioners—requesting consideration of minimum wage for parliamentarians (EN7862)
From 60 petitioners—requesting permanent funding and access to culturally safe telehealth services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (EN7864)
From 248 petitioners—requesting reform of battery approval schemes to ensure technology neutrality and consumer safety (EN7865)
From 16 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the collapse of managed investment schemes and improved investor protections (EN7867)
From 132 petitioners—requesting review of qualification pathways in early childhood education to ensure appropriate standards (EN7868)
From 215 petitioners—requesting legislation to make burning the Australian National Flag a criminal offence (EN7870)
From 120 petitioners—requesting prohibition of automatic LED headlights on vehicles (EN7871)
From 5757 petitioners—requesting a review of proposed changes to the powers of the eSafety Commission (EN7872)
2. The following 10 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 2 September 2025
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting a public inquiry into the response to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5484)
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 23 September 2025
From the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to a petition requesting visa application fee refunds for New Zealanders impacted by the July 2023 changes (EN5201)
From the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to a petition requesting visa application fee refunds for New Zealand citizens (EN5213)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition regarding the outcome of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum (EN5551)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting an early election (EN5636)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting that a pardon be granted to Mr David McBride (EN6246)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting a response to violence in Syria (EN7090)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting actions to address housing affordability (EN7099)
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 7 October 2025
From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting that obstetrics and gynaecology be included in a private health insurance risk equalisation framework (EN7227)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting that Australia be withdrawn from the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework (EN7339)
Ms Jodie Belyea MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025
That this bill be now read a second time.
Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025 (No. 2)
That this bill be now read a second time.
Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to strengthen Medicare, including $8.5 billion to deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed general practitioner (GP) visits each year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program ever;
(2) notes:
(a) this measure has already seen practices around Australia become fully bulk billed, with nine out of ten GP visits expected to be bulk billed by 2030 and around 4,800 fully bulk billed practices, which is triple the current number; and
(b) that while the Government is expanding access to bulk billing by expanding the bulk billing incentive, by contrast the Leader of the Opposition, as the Minister for Health:
(i) never increased Medicare rebates, the only health minister in Australian history to do so;
(ii) doubled-down on the then Government's $50 billion cut to hospitals; and
(iii) continued the fight for the former Leader of the Opposition's GP tax; and
(3) further acknowledges that only the current Government will strengthen Medicare.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) the Australian banana industry:
(i) is worth $1.3 billion to the Australian economy and is the dominant employer in northern Australia; and
(ii) represents more than 540 growers and employs over 15,000 people;
(b) Australia, being a continent which until the 1800s had no farming, remains free of many of the world's most devastating vegetation diseases, including Moko, Black Sigatoka, and Banana Freckle;
(c) these diseases are found throughout plantations in the Philippines causing widespread crop losses and often producing a flawed, largely inedible product;
(d) these diseases will destroy Australia's banana industry and seriously damage our virgin, natural wonderland and threaten other food production activities;
(e) the US Department of Labor, the Centre for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), and the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) have all found significant instances of poor work conditions in banana plantations across the Philippines, including widespread child labour;
(f) the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is currently considering an application to import bananas from the Philippines, and has advised that it will only consider the risk of disease; and
(g) bad enough in itself, the application does not consider the need for imports, the disparity in environmental conditions, chemical usage, wages and the various other factors that fail to make free trade, fair trade; and
(2) calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action to protect Australia's banana industry by ensuring that the:
(a) application to import bananas from the Philippines is rejected, due to:
(i) unacceptable biosecurity risks that will create real danger to not only Australia's banana industry but also to Australia's virgin nature wonderland as Philippine banana imports will be the vector of a myriad of diseases including Black Sigatoka, Moko Disease and Banana Freckle;
(ii) the economic impact of decimating Australia's $1.3 billion banana industry, specifically considering the huge social and economic impact on communities where bananas are grown;
(iii) the devastating environmental impacts of bananas grown in the Philippines that have vastly different chemical and pesticide usage and lower overall environmental standards;
(iv) the difference in cost of production including wages and working conditions, for example, the average wage of $50 per week in the Philippines versus $1,153.30 per week in Australia; and
(v) significant evidence of child labour throughout Philippine banana plantations, as reported by the US Department of Labor, CTUHR and EILER, with studies indicating that 22.5 per cent of households in banana growing regions have a child working in banana plantations;
(b) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry immediately reject the import application as there is no overriding need nor demand for the imported product; and
(c) Government immediately introduce legislation that acknowledges our other international obligations including, but not restricted to, slavery, child labour and other unfair working conditions and wages, and environmental impacts including pesticide and chemical usage.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government's spending will reach its highest level outside of recession since 1986;
(b) since the Government came to office, it has added $100 billion to the national debt, set to breach $1 trillion this financial year and $1.2 trillion by the time of the next election;
(c) the Government's new decisions since coming to office total a shocking $22 billion, and had the Government shown any fiscal discipline to find savings to fund the new commitments, the Government would be delivering a healthy surplus today;
(d) we are spending $50,000 on interest every minute, which is money that cannot be spent on essential services;
(e) the persistence in inflation has pushed out the prospect of further interest rate relief with markets now expecting it may be 'one and done', that is, for interest rates to remain at around 3.25 per cent indefinitely, little more than one rate cut lower than the current level; and
(f) millions of Australian mortgage holders will have repayments on the average mortgage set to remain at $1,700 higher per month indefinitely under this Government than under the previous Government; and
(2) calls on the Government to reintroduce the quantifiable fiscal rules that every recent government of either political persuasion has adopted, and to heed the calls of leading economists like former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry, and former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Phillip Lowe, as well as leading international organisations like the International Monetary Fund to introduce such rules.
Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025
Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025
The House divided. [12:50]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
(1) Clause 5, page 8 (lines 14 to 22), omit the definition of public health matters , substitute:
public health matters includes the following:
(a) health emergency management;
(b) health security;
(c) health protection;
(d) health promotion;
(e) preventative health;
(f) disease control;
(g) environmental health;
(h) the health effects of climate change;
(i) occupational exposures;
(k) injury prevention.
(2) Clause 11, page 16 (after line 25), after subparagraph (11)(h)(viii), insert:
(viiia) bodies whose objects include mitigation of, and adaption to, climate change;
(3) Clause 78, page 63 (line 24), omit "5 year period", substitute "3 year period".
(4) Clause 78, page 64 (line 3), omit "5 year".
(5) Page 64 (after line 12), after clause 78, insert:
78A Biennial statement on health effects of climate change
(1) Within 6 months after the end of every second financial year, commencing two years after the commencement of this Act, the Minister must prepare a statement of activity that relates to the health effects of climate change including:
(a) data and information collection, coordination, analysis, and dissemination relevant to the impacts on Australians' health of climate change; and
(b) public education and awareness raising; and
(c) planning and preparation for future health threats; and
(d) development of health guidelines and standards; and
(e) reports or materials published; and
(f) emerging threats; and
(g) reviews and learnings from past experience; and
(h) the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's policies in reducing risks.
(2) A statement under subsection (1) is to be known as a Biennial Statement on Health Effects of Climate Change in Australia .
(3) The Minister must cause a copy of this biennial statement to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 5 sitting days of that House after the completion of the preparation of the statement.
78B Biennial statement on pandemic preparedness
(1) Within 6 months after the end of every second financial year, commencing in the year after the commencement of this Act, the Minister must prepare a statement of activity that relates to pandemic preparedness including:
(a) data and information collection, coordination, analysis and dissemination relevant to Australia's pandemic preparedness; and
(b) public education and awareness raising; and
(c) planning and preparation for future health threats; and
(d) development of health guidelines and standards; and
(e) reports or materials published; and
(f) emerging threats; and
(g) reviews and learnings from past experience; and
(h) the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's policies in reducing risks.
(2) A statement under subsection (1) is to be known as a Biennial Statement on Pandemic Preparedness .
(3) The Minister must cause a copy of this biennial statement to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 5 sitting days of that House after the completion of the preparation of the statement.
The House divided. [13:08]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
(1) Clause 78, page 63 (line 22) to page 64 (line 12), omit the clause, substitute:
78 Review of operation of Act
(1) The Minister must cause an independent review to be undertaken of:
(a) the operation of this Act during the 5 year period beginning at the commencement of the Act; and
(b) the operation of this Act during each subsequent 5 year period.
(2) The review must be conducted by an expert panel comprised of 3 members appointed by the Minister.
(3) Each member of the expert panel must have experience in at least one of the following:
(a) public health;
(b) clinical practice;
(c) economics;
(d) human rights;
(e) health data and statistics;
(f) emergency management;
(g) communications.
(4) A member of the expert panel must not be any of the following:
(a) a current employee of the Commonwealth public service;
(b) a current member of the Advisory Council;
(c) a current or former member of the Commonwealth Parliament;
(d) a current or former employee or executive of a registered political party.
Timing of review and Minister to be given report
(5) The expert panel must be appointed by the Minister within 6 months after the end of the 5 year period to which the report relates.
(6) The review must be completed and the report submitted to the Minister by the expert panel within 12 months of the panel's appointment.
Minister to table copy of report of review and response to review
(7) The Minister must cause a copy of the report of the review to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report.
(8) The Minister must cause the government's response to the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within three months of the report being tabled.
The House divided. [13:24]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
(1) Clause 10, page 15 (lines 9 to 11), omit subclause (3), substitute:
(3) The Minister must not appoint a person as the Director-General unless:
(a) the Minister first appoints a selection panel consisting of at least 3 persons for the purposes of assessing whether a candidate is suitable for appointment; and
(b) the independent selection panel has advertised the appointment, conducted interviews and shortlisted at least 3 candidates for appointment on the basis of the following criteria:
(i) appropriate expertise;
(ii) qualifications or experience in public health matters;
(iii) integrity;
(iv) opportunities for promoting diversity in the public sector; and
(c) the independent selection panel has provided to the Minister a comparative assessment of the 3 shortlisted candidates against the criteria in paragraph (b), and a certification statement indicating that they are eligible for appointment; and
(d) that person has been shortlisted for the appointment by an independent panel in accordance with paragraph (b).
(2) Clause 11, page 16 (after line 19), after subparagraph (h)(v), insert:
(va) bodies whose objects include the prevention and management of occupational disease and injuries;
(3) Clause 11, page 17 (after line 3), after paragraph (j), insert:
(ja) promoting public health research through:
(i) maintaining close relationships with key public health research entities; and
(ii) providing advice to government grant making entities on research priorities for public health matters;
(jb) building and enhancing expertise in relevant public health expertise and workforce capacity;
(4) Clause 29, page 28 (lines 11 and 12), omit the clause, substitute:
29 Chair of the Advisory Council
The Minister must appoint an Advisory Council member other than the Director-General to be the Chair of the Advisory Council.
(5) Clause 30, page 28 (line 25) to page 29 (line 10), omit subclause (4), substitute:
Process for appointment
(4) The Minister must not appoint a person as a member to the Advisory Council unless:
(a) the Minister first appoints a selection panel consisting of at least 3 persons for the purposes of assessing whether a candidate is suitable for appointment; and
(b) the independent selection panel has advertised the appointment, conducted interviews and shortlisted at least 3 candidates for appointment on the basis of the following criteria:
(i) appropriate expertise, qualifications or experience in at least one of the following:
(A) public health matters;
(B) clinical practice;
(C) economics;
(D) human rights;
(E) data and statistics relating to public health matters;
(F) emergency management;
(G) communications;
(H) any other field that the Minister considers appropriate;
(ii) integrity;
(iii) opportunities for promoting diversity in the public sector; and
(c) the independent selection panel has provided to the Minister a comparative assessment of the 3 shortlisted candidates against the criteria in paragraph (b), and a certification statement indicating that they are eligible for appointment; and
(d) that person has been shortlisted for the appointment by an independent panel in accordance with paragraph (b).
"Clankers." That's the new slur for AI and robots going viral online.
It's a joke, but it's also a warning: young people are anxious, facing unprecedented uncertainty about job security and human relevance in an AI-driven future.
But young entrepreneurs and changemakers are also already using AI to solve thorny problems—improving healthcare, advancing sustainability, even sparking creativity.
These stories prove AI's tremendous potential. But without clear direction, the risks are real: insecure work, unfair systems, and people left behind.
So what do we need?
A national plan for AI that puts people first. We need ethical frameworks and strong regulation. We need policies that protect job mobility, alongside real investment in education and training so young people can work with AI, not against it. And we need smart safety nets for when jobs inevitably change.
The government's choices today will decide whether Australians are empowered or sidelined tomorrow. Dignity, purpose and human relevance must remain at the centre of our future workforce and the economy we will inherit.
In ten years, we don't want "clanker" to be a slur. We want it to be a joke we laugh at—remembering how we turned fear into progress.
Use less money.
Only spend it on things we need such as fixing our roads, sick people and making school better!
I care about the environment!
I think we should only use natural materials to make energy.
For example don't use a petrol car, use an electric car!
I think taxes should go down.
Some people work so hard to be able to pay for the things their family needs.
While supporting the homeless and struggling, people also help them to get a job they can do.
SHADOW MINISTRY
It's absolutely a critical step in the right direction.
It is a win for creativity and Australian culture, including First Nations culture, but it's also a win for common sense.
We are on the right side of history on this—people should be paid for their work.
This is a significant development for regional aviation and provides much-needed certainty for communities that rely on essential air services.
I thank the Australian Government for its tenacity in keeping Rex flying and thereby protecting the airline's vital regional and rural links.
I had many conversations with Catherine King and Anthony Albanese about this—
and I thank the government for their work in supporting Rex.
Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025
The House divided. [15:20]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025
The House divided. [15:33]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025
As a general proposition, the purpose of benefits under the Act is to "maintain a basic level of income for those who [are] unable to receive sufficient income to provide for themselves".
… if a person receives the benefit of a "social security payment" and was not entitled to obtain that benefit, the amount of the payment (or the relevant part thereof) is a debt due to the Commonwealth, taken to arise when the person obtains the benefit of the payment.
When the unfairness, the illegality and the cruelty of robodebt became apparent, the approach of those opposite was to double down, to go on the attack against those who complained and to maintain the falsehood that in fact the system had not changed at all. But, when this government—
came to office, we—
established a royal commission which heard tragic stories of people being hounded by their own government to repay debts they did not even owe. None of us should forget—
former minister Alan Tudge saying to vulnerable Australians, 'We'll find you, we'll track you down, you will have to repay those debts, and you may end up in prison.'
The royal commission's findings were damning. Commissioner Holmes found that robodebt was 'a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal' and 'a costly failure of public administration, in both human and economic terms'
For many years—in fact, decades—people who rely upon our safety net have been demonised, and when there are cuts they're usually to social security. Where there's more work for people to do, it's in the social security system. This is a cultural statement as well. This is why it is—
administrative outcome, but … also a cultural statement, and this cannot be lost. We're hoping that this will build on the fantastic work of saying to Australians, 'If you are in need of our social security net, you can do that with respect and without feeling like you are not being believed and knowing that you will be safe to do that.'
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
From a student's perspective, it would be fair and appropriate for the Tribunal to have discretion to have an oral hearing …
Hello. I'm Lucia. I'm 15, and I live in regional Tasmania, an island rich in natural resources. Lately, I've been thinking not just about next year or the next election but the next 100, 200 or even 500 years. Countries like Singapore and Japan already plan that far ahead, and I believe Australia should too. Right now, it feels like every time the government changes, so does the plan. We get short-term fixes instead of long-term vision. But if we thought in centuries, our policies would look very different. We wouldn't keep selling off ports, farms and mines to the highest bidder. We would protect and strengthen our manufacturing sector. We would make sure our natural resources are locally owned. We would also invest properly in education, climate action and mental health, not just because they are popular now, but because they shape the future we want to build. True leadership means asking, "What kind of country will we leave behind?" and then acting on it. I may be young, but I want to grow up in a country that thinks big, builds wisely and plans for generations, not election cycles.
These days it's common to look to the government for answers. The first reaction is often, "The government should fix this—that's their job." However, the Government was never intended to manage every part of our lives. Its role is to protect our rights, maintain order, and create conditions where people have the opportunity to succeed. Over time this focus has shifted, and more people expect the government to step in and handle problems that we might solve ourselves. While it's natural to want comfort, something important is lost when we depend too heavily on elected governments. Solving challenges on our own builds resilience, whereas constant reliance and the reduction to self-determine can ultimately lead to disadvantage. Rather than asking for more programs and subsidies we should ask the government to focus on creating an environment where everyone, no matter their circumstances, can build a life based on their own goals and efforts. With the freedom to choose and the opportunity to achieve comes both risk and responsibility. The better question isn't ,"What will government give us?" but, with self-interest in mind, "What will our governments allow us to do for ourselves?" True freedom means having the ability to take care of yourself and shape your future, even when there are challenges. I'm thankful for our Australian government and hope that it always allow the people who elect it to thrive.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Mascarenhas ) took the chair at 10:29.
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) 28 per cent of the Australian population live outside major cities;
(b) people living in rural and remote areas have higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths and injury and also have poorer access to, and use of, primary health care services, than people living in major cities, yet investment in regional and rural health is falling behind, leaving regional communities with outdated facilities, insufficient training places and healthcare students struggling to train locally; and
(c) the lack of open, competitive and needs-based hospital infrastructure funds means regional and rural hospitals have no transparent, competitive Commonwealth funding pathways to build critical infrastructure to deliver health services for the growing border population into the future;
(2) notes that premiers are calling for increased funding from the Commonwealth Government for hospitals, including specifically for infrastructure; and
(3) calls on the Government to establish a $2 billion Building Regional and Rural Hospitals Fund to provide competitive and needs-based investment for new buildings, equipment and planning, so health services in regional, rural and remote areas classified as MM2 and higher can apply for hospital infrastructure funding to meet the needs of their communities now and into the future.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to help first home buyers realise their dream of ownership by:
(a) bringing forward the launch of the 5 per cent deposits scheme for all first home buyers to 1 October 2025, instead of next year;
(b) expanding the 5 per cent deposits scheme with unlimited places and increased property price caps;
(c) guaranteeing a portion of a first home buyer's home loan through the 5 per cent deposits scheme, so they can purchase with a lower deposit and avoid lenders' mortgage insurance; and
(d) offering eligible single parent families with a saved 2 per cent deposit access to the Family Home Guarantee; and
(2) notes that 180,000 Australians have already been helped into home ownership through the Government's housing policies.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) some of Australia's leading forest scientists have acknowledged we have the knowledge, practical skills and regulatory framework to sustainably manage our native forests, including for timber harvesting on small, carefully targeted areas;
(b) we have a world-class and sustainable native hardwood timber industry in Australia which delivers social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits for our nation;
(c) timber industry workers provide invaluable skills and practical support to their communities during times of natural disasters, particularly bushfires;
(d) banning native timber harvesting in Australia will result in more imported timber products, often sourced from countries with poorer environmental protocols; and
(e) a sustainable native hardwood timber industry is part of the answer to reducing Australia's carbon emissions as timber products sequester carbon in our floorboards, furniture and other timber products;
(2) notes that the Victorian and New South Wales state governments have made illogical decisions to ban native hardwood timber harvesting which is based on political science, not environmental science; and
(3) urges the Government to:
(a) recognise that the sovereign capability to maintain a sustainable native hardwood timber industry is an issue of national importance because of the impact on house prices, supply chain considerations, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and community safety;
(b) support a taxpayer-funded public information campaign to explain the importance of the native hardwood timber industry and dispel the myths perpetuated by environmental activists; and
(c) resist any further attempts to ban the sustainable harvesting of native hardwood timber.
The public, policy makers and politicians should be wary of the increasing selective and unbalanced use of science wrapped in ideology to promote anti-forestry views.
Rural communities and the nation can benefit in a number of ways by adopting science-based policies and management practices.
… 'theoretical' claims that timber harvesting increases the intensity of wildfire, leads to greater net C emissions, reduces catchment water yields and threatens koalas have all been discredited in several detailed scientific analyses during the last few years.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government will make available an initial $12 billion towards the Henderson Defence Precinct to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and an AUKUS presence in Western Australia, meaning:
(a) record investments across shipbuilding and in AUKUS in the west;
(b) support for approximately 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades;
(c) opportunities for small and medium sized businesses across the state and Australia; and
(d) certainty for industry that will partner on the construction of infrastructure and facilities; and
(2) notes that the Government continues to increase defence spending to record levels to deliver the capabilities Australia needs through measures like:
(a) the arrival of the first two of 29 Apache attack helicopters;
(b) $1.7 billion for a new fleet of autonomous maritime vehicles including Ghost Shark for the navy;
(c) selection of the Mogami-class frigate as our new general purpose frigates;
(d) boosting Australia's long-range strike capability with the Precision Strike Missiles and $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen Australia's air defence and aerial strike capability; and
(e) $1.3 billion investment over the next ten years in counter-drone capabilities and technologies.
The sheer scale of the proposed infrastructure investment … is potentially a game changer … for our business.
Defence is being ordered to delay projects, slash maintenance costs and cut workforce spending in a severe austerity drive, as the soaring costs of nuclear submarines and new shipbuilding programs undermine the nation's readiness for conflict.
Days after Donald Trump declared "full steam ahead" for the AUKUS pact, the Australian can reveal the Chief of the Air Force, Stephen Chappell, has initiated reviews of capability and sustainment costs as part of a service-wide push to "mitigate overspending" and "address budget challenges".
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the National Centre for Vocational Education Research advises that there are 320,830 active apprentices and trainees in training, representing a drop of 107,320 apprentices and trainees in training compared to when the Opposition was last in office;
(b) that new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released in September 2025 shows Australia's building approvals are collapsing, with total dwelling approvals down by 8.2 per cent and private sector apartment approvals down by 22 per cent; and
(c) the critical link between the collapse in apprentice and trainee numbers and the shortage of skilled workers needed to address Australia's growing housing crisis, with fewer tradespeople available to build the homes Australians desperately need;
(2) recognises that the housing crisis is being compounded by this failure in skills and training, leading to higher costs, longer delays, and fewer Australians able to achieve the dream of home ownership;
(3) condemns the Government for failing to ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled workers to meet Australia's needs, and for overseeing a collapse in both apprentice numbers and housing approvals at a time when the nation can least afford it; and
(4) calls on the Government to take immediate and urgent action to:
(a) rebuild apprentice and trainee numbers across the economy, particularly in construction and housing trades;
(b) work with industry and employers to support real pathways into skills and training; and
(c) develop a credible strategy to ensure Australia has the skilled workforce required to meet current and future housing demand.
By the end of 2050, up to 70% of the world's infectious diseases are predicted to become untreatable due to antimicrobial resistance. Treatment for pneumonia is proven to become ineffective by 2040.
Penicillin and numerous other first line antibiotics are already ineffective against staph and skin infections. With increased immigration and travel it is of the utmost importance to protect future generations from a problem that only the government can control: antimicrobial resistance.
This looming crisis is not a distant threat, it is being accelerated by a number of urgent and preventable factors. From the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, such as in salmon farming, to poor infection control in healthcare settings, the forces driving antimicrobial resistance are multifaceted and deeply entrenched.
Without immediate intervention, including improved diagnostics and increased investment in research, future generations will be left vulnerable to infections we once easily cured.
Just recently, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has significantly reduced research into new antibiotics. While this development may not affect him as much as coming generations, to protect the future of the human race, antimicrobial resistance must be treated as a credible threat.
It is vital that the government addresses this danger for the health and safety of humanity.
Thank you.
I want to see a future where every person in my community and across Australia feels safe, valued, and respected, no matter their background, appearance, beliefs, or lifestyle.
I imagine communities that are more united, that genuinely celebrate diversity and promote understanding.
I want to see schools that are truly safe spaces, where bullying and harassment are taken seriously and actively decreased.
To support this vision, Parliament can take real action, they can fund nationwide anti-bullying programs in schools and make them mandatory for students, work with tech companies to stop cyberbullying and online abuse, provide more school counsellors and mental health services for students.
Most importantly, guarantee that Parliament itself promotes respectful debate and has zero tolerance for bullying in public life because leaders should lead by example.
This goal is so important because bullying does not just hurt in the moment; it can stay with a person for life.
Many people in our community have experienced bullying, whether at school or online, and we must stop our young Australians from carrying that pain inside because it can lead to serious mental health issues, even suicide.
Ending bullying will help create a peaceful, loving, and safe Australia for everyone.
Together, we have the power to create a future where everyone feels safe, respected, and included.
Imagine two students. One has access to every learning resource—stable internet, tutoring, a quiet space to study. The other wants to succeed just as much but has none of those things. Which one do you think gets left behind?
If we want a better tomorrow for young Australians, we must make education equity a priority today. It's not just about funding, it's about access, support, and fairness. We need stronger support systems in public schools, and targeted programs for students in rural, low-income, and multicultural communities. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't.
As a young person on my local council's Youth Advisory Committee, I see how deeply young people care about their future. Hence, I'm asking the government to continue to partner with us, invest in schools, mental health services, digital infrastructure, and youth leadership. Let's also invest in sustainability and STEM … education so students are ready for jobs in clean energy, climate innovation, and the industries of tomorrow.
That's how we create a smarter, fairer, and greener Australia, not just in one neighbourhood or state, but right across the country.
As a young Australian I care about mental health.
It's a big issue for kids my age. Too many of us feel stressed, sad or even alone.
We need help but sometimes it's hard to find or too expensive.
The government should act now.
They should put more money into school counsellors and youth programs.
They should make sure help is easy to get and free for everyone.
We need safe spaces to talk and be heard. Mental health matters because it affects everything in school like friendships and our future. If we feel better, we do better.
People should care because strong minds build strong communities.
If the government acts today Australia will be a kinder and healthier place.
Young people will grow up feeling supported and ready to take on the world. We'll have less crime, better schools and happier families.
Let's build a future where no one feels alone so let's start now.
When I think about 'building a better tomorrow', I think about what young people need. We need action on mental health: more school counsellors, youth mental health hubs, and accessible help.
Education is another place where we need change. We are told to dream big, but sometimes it feels like we are being prepared for a world that no longer exists.
Schools should teach us skills for the future and provide pathways into trades, STEM, aviation, technology and healthcare.
We need programs that connect first-time job seekers with real opportunities and paid internships.
Every young person should graduate feeling capable and confident that there is a place for them in the workforce.
It's hard to imagine a future where we can be independent when even renting is becoming impossible. Young people deserve affordable housing, rental security, and fair chances to buy homes one day.
To build a future where young people thrive, we need a government that invites us into the decision-making process, and shows us that our voices truly matter.
I want a future when no young person is left behind. I've experienced times when having a stable home wasn't guaranteed. I faced challenges that no-one should have to face. But I've also seen the strength that comes from community, compassion and opportunity lessons I carry from my mother, a strong independent woman who taught me resilience.
To build a better tomorrow for young Australians, the government must act today. They should invest in affordable housing so no young person sleeps rough, provide accessible timely mental health support, ensure quality education and training programs, prepare us for the jobs of the future, commit to meaningful climate action to protect our planet, and design policies that promote fairness, inclusion and opportunity so all young Australians can thrive. This isn't just about my story; it is about thousands of young Australians who deserve to be heard, respected and empowered to shape our country's direction. We are the next generation of leaders. Let's build a future where every voice counts, where every young person has a chance and where today's action create a tomorrow we all want to see.
To build a better tomorrow for young Australians, the government must take urgent and meaningful action to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
Each year, vast amounts of plastic enter the sea, causing severe harm to marine life such as turtles, dolphins and seabirds. This is not simply an environmental concern, it is a growing crisis that threatens biodiversity, food security, and the health of our planet.
My name is Sofea. I am 12 years old, and I'm a student at Charles Weston School Coombs. I'm passionate about protecting ocean environments and speaking up for the animals who cannot speak for themselves.
I respectfully urge the government to implement a ban on single-use plastics, support innovation in sustainable packaging, and improve public access to recycling. Education is also vital, young Australians should be taught the importance of ocean conservation and the long-term impact of plastic waste. The ocean sustains life on Earth. It provides oxygen, regulates our climate, and supports countless species.
The action we take today will shape the kind of Australia we grow up in.
I believe we all deserve a cleaner, safer, and more responsible future, especially … the sea creatures who depend on us.
Education should be a doorway—a way forward for every young person in this country.
But for students in regional communities, that door often feels locked.
Each day we wake up before sunrise, travelling for hours to reach school.
Every wet season, flooded roads block our way and we wait to hear if school will even open.
The constant uncertainty, that our education depends on things outside of our control is a barrier to our futures.
Many of us study without the subjects that city students take for granted—ancient history, languages, physics—because there aren't enough teachers.
Some of us study alone, online, without the support that face-to-face learning brings.
It's isolating.
It's frustrating.
And it chips away at our confidence and our dreams.
Unfortunately, we don't have multi-million-dollar research centres, nor do we have access to world-class tutors.
What we do have is determination—a will, to extend beyond our boundaries and defy limitations.
But we can't do that alone.
We are grateful to live where we live.
But gratitude shouldn't equate to limitation.
It's time to open the doors to equal education … because a nation that abandons its youth abandons its future.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the enormous changes that artificial intelligence (AI) will create for Australia and Australians;
(2) welcomes the Government's commitment to ensuring that AI:
(a) contributes positively to a Future Made in Australia;
(b) delivers benefits to all Australians, not just a small number of individuals and businesses; and
(c) is developed, deployed and used in a way that keeps Australians safe; and
(3) recognises the work being led by the Government to ensure that Australians are ready to take advantage of AI, including, more than:
(a) $47 million for the Next Generation Graduate program;
(b) one million free 'introduction to AI' scholarships delivered from TAFE NSW to give Australians the fundamental skills to adopt and use AI; and
(c) $17 million to create four AI Adopt Centres, which are supporting businesses across the country to use responsible AI enabled services to enhance their businesses.
The Federal Government—
has neglected its responsibility to deal with any of the threats that the exponential growth of the AI industry poses to the Australian people and their entities.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) a Royal Automobile Club of Victoria 'My Country Road' survey in July 2024 of over 7,000 Victorians saw 64 per cent of respondents identify potholes and poor road conditions as their top safety issue, up from 46 per cent in 2021;
(b) a National Transport Research Organisation survey found 91 per cent of Victoria's 8,400 kilometre road network is rated poor or very poor;
(c) the Audit Office of New South Wales identified in November 2024 that in the last available reporting year the estimated total replacement cost of council road assets across New South Wales was around $102 billion but in the same year local councils reported collective road asset maintenance expenditure of around $1 billion;
(d) according to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), local roads make up 77 per cent of Australia's road network by length, with 678,000 kilometres managed by local governments, only 39 per cent of which are sealed roads;
(e) ALGA president Matt Burnett described the former Government's $3.25 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program as a 'game-changer', adding that 'reinstating the LRCI Program will support every council, and more importantly, provide tangible benefits to every Australian community';
(f) former ALGA president Linda Scott said in 2023, 'making the LRCI permanent would be an investment in Australia's future productivity';
(g) Local Government Association of South Australia CEO Clinton Jury said the LRCI program 'made a significant, positive impact on our neighbourhoods by uplifting our regional roads, making them safer for everyone'; and
(h) despite the very strong endorsements of LRCI and the road maintenance burden on local governments across regional Australia, the Government axed LRCI with final payments due this financial year and have not provided an alternative to make our roads safer and improve regional productivity; and
(2) calls upon the Government to outline how it will fund local roads to improve road safety and productivity for regional Australians.
That this House:
(1) notes the:
(a) Government has accepted the Climate Change Authority's independent advice and has set Australia's climate change target at a range of between 62 to 70 per cent on 2005 emissions;
(b) release of the National Climate Risk Assessment, which found that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding and concurrent; and
(c) release of the Department of the Treasury's modelling on 18 September, which found Australia's ambitious and achievable plan to reduce emissions will support continued economic growth, higher living standards and employment, including 2.3 million more people being employed by 2035, and Australia's economy being up to $2 trillion worse off cumulatively by 2050 compared to a disorderly transition scenario;
(2) recognises the Government is delivering on its promises which Australians voted for to act on climate change, upgrade our energy system and seize the economic opportunity before our nation; and
(3) calls on the Opposition to leave the climate wars in the past, solve its internal divisions and join the rest of the Parliament in taking meaningful action on climate change.
It was really not until nine years ago, as our grandchildren started to arrive—we have seven of them now—that I started to read seriously about climate science and began to appreciate the existential crisis that we are … facing.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and that Wednesday, 15 October 2025 marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; and
(b) this day acknowledges the shared loss experienced by parents, friends, and healthcare workers of babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) that there is a significant impact on families who have lost a baby;
(b) that every year 110,000 Australians experience a miscarriage, more than 2,000 experience stillbirth, and almost 700 lose a baby within the first 28 days;
(c) that stillbirth occurrence is higher in Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities; and
(d) all families who have experienced loss, either recently or over time; and
(3) commends the Government for providing more than $40 million to organisations to support women and families following stillbirth, neonatal death or miscarriage.