Petitions Committee

Climate Change

Support the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House: Climate change is real with disastrous impact on our natural environment, economy and way of life. Strong national plans are needed to respond to the impact of climate change, to minimise its risks and to develop the economic structure needed for the future: We need: - A positive bi-partisan response to climate change - Plans at a national level for the adaptations necessary at both national and global level - National plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that align with scientific advice and State government and international commitments - An independant Climate Change Commission to ensure transparency in monitoring, reporting and accountability.

We therefore ask the House to: Vote in support of the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020

From 93 citizens (PN0473)

Nuclear Waste

Rescind decision to store radioactive wste near Kimba, South Australia

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House: The Federal Government has not established a need for a national repository for radioactive waste. Two sources account for over 90% of radioactive waste: the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology (ANSTO) facility at Lucas Heights (85% for nuclear medicine) and 2000 cubic metres of low level waste at Woomera. Bushfires like those of late 2019 and 2020 could engulf the site. The Federal Government is overriding South Australian legislation prohibiting radioactive waste sites. The Federal Government has a track record of failed radioactive cleanups, e.g. Maralinga nuclear test site. The waste site will not facilitate nuclear medicine. ANSTO's decision to produce medical isotopes using uranium powered nuclear reactors compromises the environment. By comparison, the "light" method of medical isotope production, marketed at the LINAC synchrotron facility in Saskatchewan, Canada is a clean cheap method with zero radioactive by-product that ANSTO could have adopted. The Federal Government has stated that there must be broad community support for a radioactive waste site. Having not included the votes of traditional owners invalidates the vote result. Traditional owners of Muckaty Station in the Northern Territiry, whose successful 2014 Federal Court challenge to the nomination of a radioactive waste site on their lands, have set a precedent for Barngarla traditional owners to challenge the decision.

We therefore ask the House to: rescind this decision to site a radioactive waste facility in South Australia with no further attempts to commander the lands of traditional owners in South Australia.

From 204 citizens (PN0474)

Falun Gong

Stop the persecution and organ harvesting of Falun Gong in China

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House that Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. Millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China have been fired, jailed, tortured or killed by the Chinese Communist regime since July 1999. There have been persistent reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in China, primarily practitioners of Falun Gong. The Independent China Tribunal, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, concluded in its Final Judgement in 2019: "Forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale and that Falun Gong practitioners have been one - and probably the main - source of organ supply" and that crimes against humanity against Falun Gong have been proved "beyond reasonable doubt".

We therefore ask the House to request the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Australian Government to: 1. Pass a motion or make a statement to openly an immediate end to the 20-year persecution of Falun Gong in China and the immediate release of all Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience; 2. Urge China to immediately end the practice of organ harvesting from all prisoners of conscience and conduct a thorough public education campaign to ensure Australians do not unknowingly participate in forced organ harvesting in China; 3. Deny visas and bar entry to Chinese officials and policeman who are involved in the persecution of Falun Gong.

From 511 citizens (PN0475)

COVID-19: Economy

Suspend rent, loan, mortgage and credit card repayments

Small business and family enterprise in Australia account for almost 98% of businesses and account for 35% of Australia's gross domestic profit and employ 44% of Australia's workforce. Of the 877,744 total employing businesses, 823,551 are small businesses (93.8%), and of those businesses, 627,932 are businesses that employ only 1-4 people, known as micro businesses (76.2%). (Source: Small Business Counts, 07/2019. ASBFEO)

These figures suggest that the most prominent and powerful economic voice in Australia would be the self-employed and small businesses. Yet, in reality, over 8 million people involved in small business are the most vulnerable to the prolonged economic downturn and the increasing financial burden due to the bushfire and COVID19.

Many small businesses have net income well below the average Australian wage with 52% of small business owners earn below $25,000 per annum (ib.) and the current stimulus package focused on larger corporates would not ensure the survival of small businesses. With the imminent recession, the battling mass would fail to pay residential/commercial rents, business/home loans, credit cards and utility bills. Such defaults and bankruptcies would lead to unemployment and loss of homes and further deteriorate Australian economy.

We therefore ask the House to suspend rent, business loan, mortgage and credit card repayments in Australia immediately. Across Europe and USA, similar measures have already been implemented to protect its citizens. As RBA governor Dr Lowe said, "The banking system is well capitalised and is in a strong liquidity position" and it can withstand the suspension of repayments.

From 3 citizens (EN1417)

Medicare

Medicare Discrimination against doctors trained abroad.

Highly trained doctors that are allowed to practice and even teach other doctors in Australia are being discriminated against by Medicare.

Because they completed their degree in a foreign country, they are not eligible to offer Medicare rebates or bulk billing to patients.

Countries like the UK have incredibly high standards of training and their doctors are some of the best in the world.

This ruling is clearly racial discrimination and is causing hardship to the most vulnerable people in our communities.

If a doctor is allowed to practice here, they should also be allowed to offer Medicare.

People should be able to visit their chosen GP regardless of their financial status. Medicare is preventing this.

This ruling is insulting to our doctors and unfair on their patients.

We therefore ask the House to please review and change the discriminatory Medicare ruling regarding foreign trained doctors.

We ask for equality for our doctors and fairness for their patients.

From 1 citizen (EN1418)

COVID-19: Economy

Pandemic Force Majeure

The House must act with urgency to declare Pandemic Force Majeure: to wit, a suspension of rents, mortgages (and upstream payments) household and commercial utility bills for all people and entities that cannot continue to work or operate commercially due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We therefore ask the house to implement the above with the utmost urgency.

We therefore ask the House to enact this measure with the utmost urgency

From 1 citizen (EN1419)

Migration

Fast track of PR Status.

I am a UK trained nurse with over 10 years experience, Currently on 457 Visa granted after Changes.

Expiring Oct 2021. I work within NSW Health as a Registered Nurse.

In the current climate and global crisis re COVID-19. I have family in the UK. It may be a case at short notice I may have to return to the UK should I need to support family members. With the recent changes by Prime Minister regarding all overseas travel, only Permanent Residents and Citizens can only return to the country.

Long term plans for myself are to try and remain in Australian, however should I need a temp reprieve there is no route to return and get back to work.

With current health care staffing levels and the possibility that these may reduce to crisis levels, the I ask for consideration that Qualified Health professions be given consideration for PR status fast tracked. Both to allow Australia to retain staff and also an option for them to get back to the country and back to work as soon as feasibly possibly.

We therefore ask the House to consider the above proposal allowing those workers in positions within NSW health and medical fields whom are currently on Visa's such as the abolished 457 to be fast tracked into a Permanent resident status, to allow the country to retain staff throughout the current times and crisis.

From 2 citizens (EN1420)

Business Investment

Suspending Foreign Ownership

Because of our current financial position, I insist that we must suspend foreign ownership until we fully recover. Certain people who will be effected by the encroaching financial situation will become desperate to sell whatever assets that are available to them. Once these assets are gone, it will be too late. I feel this matter is a national emergency, and must be acted upon immediately.

We therefore ask the House to vote to suspend foreign ownership for the foreseeable future.

From 11 citizens (EN1421)

COVID-19: Schools

Close schools down amidst COVID19

We would like the Government or Parliament to enforce this action due to the growing fear among parents, teachers and students that attend school. The ability to focus or concentrate is affected in addition to the growing fears of this coronavirus as more cases and deaths takes place. There is evidence that children have the ability to spread this coronavirus. There is also evidence that this coronavirus is also affecting young children. In our view, the government and health officials around the world are more 'reactive' rather than 'proactive'. This will result in more spread as time is given for the virus to do so especially as we enter the colder months.

We therefore ask the House to close the schools down as soon as possible and take the necessary action to prevent further spread of COVID19.

From 1 citizen (EN1422)

COVID-19

AUSTRALIA TO GO INTO LOCK-DOWN NOW, TO AVERT COVID-19 DISASTER

The COVID-19 outbreak is continuing exponentially in Australia and more drastic measures need to be taken urgently, in order to avert a complete disaster, as witnessed in Italy.

The current social distancing measures are not enough. People may be transmitting the disease at work and in social gatherings, for up to two weeks, whilst being completely unaware of their infection, due to the absence of any symptoms.

Our Health system will be completely overwhelmed by the number of patients that will result, if extreme social distancing is not enforced. Australians will die unnecessarily.

We therefore ask the House to ACT IMMEDIATELY and ENACT LOCKDOWN and extreme social distancing NOW, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, enabling our medical practitioners to better cope with this unprecedented situation, therefore saving precious Australian lives.

From 1 citizen (EN1423)

Higher Education

Refunds & Compensation For Past & Current Law Graduates/Lawyers

Request urgent Refunds & Compensation For Past & Current; Law Graduates/Lawyers.

- University Students and admitted Lawyers in Australia/USA/UK; have been used as Cash cows in the past and currently

- Our Academic Programs IE Degrees/ Masters/Post Graduate Studies value; have become worthless due to the oversaturation of Law Graduates in the Australian/USA/UK Legal Profession

- We have been abused ( both sexually and financially) and overworked; by our senior Principals/Partners; over many years.

- Other reasons

We therefore ask the House to take urgent action to hold various; IE Universities/Law Societies/Legal Services Commissioners; in each Australian State/Territory and other related Departments; to account under the Law and to provide urgent, overdue remedies and financial compensation and other support/relief; to both Law Graduates and Lawyers in Australia/USA/UK.

To put protective measures in Australia/USA/UK; so that families and students University Investments; have strong Financial and Career value both short and long term for many decades; after they graduate and that there is no oversaturation in any Profession. Universities and Governments to be held to account under the Law; for using Australian or International students as Cash Cows and for free Professional Labour.

From 2 citizens (EN1425)

Domestic and Family Violence

Protect Men from stagged Domestic Violence Offences/& Other False Offences

Many Men are unfairly & falsely set up by their partners &/or by other parties, then charged & prosecuted by Law Enforcement Agencies & the Judiciary.

Men cannot afford to defend their cases in court. IE There was one Australian Man accused of DVO & other Offences; he was thrown in Jail; his parents paid around $900,000.00 in Court Fees; just to defend his case. He was jailed for many years & then he finally won his case & it was proved that his partner stagged the offenses against him. This serious incident; destroyed his life & his parents had to pay out around $900,000.00 to achieve such a result. Most Men & their families; realistically do not have this money; to pay to defend Legal Cases.

We therefore ask the House to act and make urgent reforms; Australia Wide to now Protect Men and their rights during Law Enforcement Investigations at both State and Federal Level and within the Judiciary/Courts/Tribunals systems.

Both Men and Women; should be treated Equally during Law Enforcement Investigations and during Legal Cases/Court Proceedings. There should be no bias/influence or other bad conduct by Law Enforcement Agents and Magistrates and Judges from the Judiciary or from any other; Local/State/Federal Government Department or Agency or related Professions/Commissioners. Law is about the truth and all parties to a dispute; I submit should have a voice to argue their Facts and Arguments to the allegations or case; whether Plaintiff or Defendant.

From 12 citizens (EN1426)

Domestic and Family Violence

Stop Female Violence Against Children

Within the year 2015-16, over 45,000 had been abused at their home by a family members, father, uncle, even the very loving mother. The fact is female violence against children has been around since the start. But as society, we have ignored this. Keep it invisible

We therefore ask the House to raise an awareness to the public

From 2 citizens (EN1427)

COVID-19

Shut down the country for 12 weeks

Drastic action is needed now to combat COVID-19 before it is too late, and the window to act is almost gone.

We therefore ask the House to lock down the nation similar to Italy now, for at least 12 weeks, and maintain essential services and food supply services. Once infections are at 0 and have remained there for a few weeks to ensure no asymptomatic cases remain, normal activity can begin to be resumed, excepting for the opening of borders, until a vaccine is available.

Action is needed now.

From 1 citizen (EN1429)

COVID-19: Schools

Immediate Closure Of All Schools

We, the people of Australia , call on the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to immediately close all Schools.

Using our Teachers as Sacrificial Lambs, Baby Sitters, and putting children, teachers and the wider community at risk is unacceptable!

It is now clear that although children do not seem to suffer severe effects when they contract the virus, they can contract it and spread it.

Numerous doctors have pointed out key differences between Australia and countries like Singapore that have kept schools operating.

According to UNESCO monitoring, over 100 countries have implemented nationwide closures.

Many parents and others are concerned of the lack of testing in general. Children could easily contract it at school and bring it home, putting others at risk. Teachers and children are also being put at risk by being left short of sanitiser and soap.

We the people ask the Australian Federal Government to immediately address the teachers who are in high-risk groups because of their age or underlying health conditions, vulnerable family members at home, pregnant, older and at-risk teachers to be immediately sent home.

These are unprecedented times. Now is the time for the Government to demonstrate its obligations to the health and wellbeing of all its employees.

We therefore ask the House to put forth these grievances before Parliament

From 2 citizens (EN1430)

COVID-19

Immediate and targeted support for Brisbane Hospitality workers during COVID-19

Due to necessary social distancing measures, normal trade for all hospitality business is hindered. Small businesses in hospitality in the Brisbane community have been hit with immense drop in trade due to the inability of the public to attend venues they usually would. In addition to drop in trade across the community this has also forced immediate closures in many cases.

Immediate action and financial support is required to business owners so they may be afforded rent free periods, freezes on utilities, taxes and fees and most importantly employees that have suffered immediate loss of income.

We therefore ask the House to Implement immediate financial support for employees and business owners within the Brisbane hospitality community

From 1 citizen (EN1431)

COVID-19

Hair and beauty salons need to be shut during COVID-19

Hairdressers and Beauticians are face to face with clientele, we have to be hands on with our clientele and this makes to extremely hard to follow the advice to minimise risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. We as a hard working community need to stay healthy for our family, clients and ourselves. Please put the hair and beauty salons on the list of closures while Australia.

We therefore ask the House to add the hairdressing and beautician salons to be on the closure list while the COVID-19 virus is locking down other places.

From 1 citizen (EN1433)

COVID-19: Migration

Government support for people on Partnership Visa

To the house of representatives:

As the COVID-19 has affected the world, Australians are now receiving support payment from the Centrelink. The Centrelink website says that "you will need to get a permanent resident Visa or become an Australian citizen to qualify for Centrelink payments". I believe people like me that have applied for a Partnership Visa and now on a bridging waiting for the Visa to get finalized, should also get support from the Government. I am out of job and soon I will be unable to pay for my rent. Many other people might be in the same condition. We are also at risk! We are asking for some support during this epidemic to be able to help each other until the virus is over!

Thanks to everyone for your support.

We therefore ask the House to allow access to government support, even if only temporary, to people on Partnership visa that are still on bridging. Thank you

From 1 citizen (EN1434)

COVID-19

Repatriate Australian citizens

Repatriate stranded Australian citizens to Australia urgently.

We therefore ask the House to convene an emergency session to approve the supply of airplanes to enable the return of stranded Australians to their families and Homeland. There are no commercial flights for them to return and government action is their only option to return home in this time of crisis.

From 3 citizens (EN1435)

COVID-19: Schools

Fee waiver for all international students studying in Australia

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all people are suffering and in response to pandemic, Australian government took steps for the sake of Australians but what makes me sad about is, Have they forgot about international students ? Do we have no contribution at all for Australia ? We international students equally love Australia as much as citizens does. But its been a while we have been waiting for announcement by government for providing aid for international students as well since we don't have any jobs and no money to pay rent and groceries. University & Colleges has been closed and most of them has begun to provide online lectures. There won't be exams anymore and we have already paid tuition fees. Since, no one will be attending University and colleges so tuition fee which we pay is for face to face mode not for online study.

We therefore ask the House to waive tuition fees for all the international students studying internal mode/ face to face in Australia. You help for international student would be much appreciated. We are international students but we love Australia as much as citizens do.

Thank You.

From 1 citizen (EN1437)

Taxation

Representation for taxpayers on SCV 444 Visa (New Zealanders)

The Illegal Taxation without Representation of New Zealanders in Australia

We therefore ask the House to confer upon NZ persons resident in Australia, Citizenship, for any current resident New Zealanders on SCV 444 Visa's that have contributed to the Tax pool of Australia in the past 19 years.

From 1592 citizens (EN1438)

COVID-19: Migration

Help temporary visa holders who lost work during pandemic

A petition for temporary visa holders who lost work and could not return home to be be able to access Centrelink benefits compassionate act to help the vulnerable during covid 19 pandemic

We therefore ask the House to support the vulnerable temporary visa holders who lost their jobs and are also not allowed to go back home. Having access to Centrelink benefits.

From 13 citizens (EN1439)

Pensions and Benefits

Subsidise wages before welfare

Stimulus payments towards wages will keep people in jobs and workplaces ready to re engage in trade. Employers can stand employees down with reduced payments. Once matters are settled, the employees can simply return to work without the need to job hunt and go through the employment and ATO registration process. The current trend of welfare payments to cover job loss, will carry substantial administration issues once industry is ready to re open. Employers will need to stand down employees, issue separation certificates, then re hire employees and go through the administration process with the ATO and superannuation, and re qualify employees for jobs.

We therefore ask the House to apply the weekly payments of $550 per week towards wages for people employed in full time, part time, or casual positions. This keeps people in jobs, gives employers the confidence to keep business open, deter employers from considering insolvency or complete business closure, and give employees the confidence of job safety once industry is cleared to re open. Business will be under enough administrative pressure with stock, orders, supply, logistics, the burden of re employment is not necessary and can be avoided. It is far more suitable for employees to go back to work rather then try find work. Payments for those facing unemployment should be made as a partial wage payment and not an unemployment payment.

From 1 citizen (EN1440)

Pensions and Benefits

Disability Pension Carers Pension and Seniors stimulus

Disability Pension Carers Pension and Seniors to be included in the $550 per fortnight stimulus. They too need to be included in the stimulus as they too have added costs due to the corona virus. Many have had to still buy daily living basics and havent been able to find them and if they have they have cost them more money or they miss out on eating. Many now have people they care for at home fulltime with school closures and some have even lost their jobs. They wont be allowed to apply for the $550 per fortnight because they dont currently qualify.

We therefore ask the House to please change the stimulus package to include all DSP Carers and Seniors to be included in the $550 per fortnight. Please make it equal for all!

From 16 citizens (EN1442)

COVID-19: Hospitals

International Medical Graduates to aid in - COVID 19 situation

Requesting permission for international medical graduates (IMG's) within Australia, who are either awaiting to sit the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exam or have completed AMC part 1 or both, to be allowed to work for the health system. With the increase in demand for Medical practitioner and to support the existing health service, IMG's would be able to bridge the gap and provide more accessibility to health service within Australia.

We therefore ask the House to grant limited/hospital sponsored regional registration to IMG's within Australia so that their qualified services can assist with the current situation.

From 55 citizens (EN1443)

COVID-19

Don't flatten the curve - stop the curve

There are currently two methods to dealing with C19.

Flatten-the-curve - Herd immunity (projected 60% to 80% infection of population) What Australia is currently heading for.

Stop-the-curve - Virus eradication (reduce infections to zero)

What it means: Flatten-the-curve - See Italy/Spain/UK all failing to cope.

- Long-term 6 to 12 months.

- Closing non-essential business causing millions of unemployed.

- Small business can't cope being closed for 3 to 6 months or longer.

- Huge burden on the economy created by newly unemployed.

- Healthcare overwhelmed.

- High number of deaths.

- Eventually still need a total lock-down.

What it means: Stop-the-curve - See China(hardly any new infections now)/New-Zealand/Malaysia

- 2 to 3 weeks

- Shut the entire country, we're all in this together, locate all cases, isolate, treat and follow contact tracing.

- Small business can survive being closed for 3 weeks, some may be need a small amount of government help.

- No businesses closed.

- No additional unemployment.

- No additional burden to the economy.

- On the spot fines for anyone who shouldn't be out, reward for those with relevant symptoms being tested.

- After 2 to 3 weeks, Australia can start to return to normal, knowing all cases are identified and contained.

- Fewer deaths.

- Travel restrictions, vaccine or isolation will be required until pandemic over.

We therefore ask the House to please follow China, New-Zealand and Malaysia to stop-the-curve, saving lives, saving "non-essential" business, saving millions from unemployment and saving the economy.

From 1 citizen (EN1444)

COVID-19: Child Care

Empower day-care operators to freeze charges for non-attendance during Covid-19

During Covid-19 we understand that day-care(DC) AND family day-care(FDC) facilities need to stay open to provide services for certain workers/children.

Currently there are 3 choices for parents:

1. Continue sending children into an environment where either they pose a risk to others (e.g. children of hospital staff), or they are at risk themselves.

2. Formally withdraw children and risk losing extremely difficult-to-secure DC/FDC places.

3. Mark children 'absent' and continue paying FULL fees indefinitely.

Conversely DC/FDC providers are seeing loss of income as more parents are forced to cancel places.

This situation is untenable - it amounts to a crippling tax on parents passed straight through as a full fee subsidy for DC/FDCs to stay open and mostly empty, until eventually having to close anyway due to cancellations.

We therefore ask the House to immediately issue advice to eliminate this financially devastating situation for everyone. One suggestion is:

1. DC/FDCs must allow parents to "Freeze" enrollment for (X)number of months without losing their place.

2. DC/FDCs may continue claiming the Child Care Subsidy portion of fees for frozen/ absent children during this time WITHOUT the need to charge families for their portion.

3. DC/FDCs may offer TEMPORARY places where there is demand but those places are released back to frozen children after (X)months.

This would continue providing Child Care Subsidy to DC/FDCs to operate reduced services WITHOUT making parents pay for services they can't use.

Under no circumstances require parents to pay a single $ for services they cannot use.

From 1 citizen (EN1445)

Port Arthur Massacre

Royal commission

Must be a matter in which the house must act

We therefore ask the House to launch a royal commission in Hobart massacre by Martyn Bryant as information states he wasn't near the the first shooting sight when it started

From 5 citizens (EN1446)

Medicare

Expand Medicare Rebates to include all GP tele-health consultations

Many GP practices have decided to isolate their rooms, and only offer tele-health consultations.

At present a Medicare Rebate is only available in restrictive circumstances related to COVID-19 exposure and to only certain members of the population.

All other patients have NO CHOICE but to pay a fee up to $150 with NO MEDICARE REBATE.

This is grossly unfair to the sick, the elderly, and to those who have experienced job loss or a reduction in income as a result of COVID-19 circumstances.

The Health Minister and the Federal Government need to

We therefore ask the House to ACT NOW to expand the tele-health consultations Medicare Rebate to allow ALL GP consultations to qualify, which will enhance the COVID-19 Social Distancing Protocols by encouraging less face to face contact between GPs and members of the public.

From 2 citizens (EN1447)

Migration

Reduce 887 visa processing time

Reduce 887 visa processing time

We therefore ask the House to reduce the 887 visa processing time

From 1 citizen (EN1448)

COVID-19

Extend temporary visas in-line with the COVID-19 border closures

There are currently over 1 million temporary visa holders in Australia who face an uncertain future during this crisis. With global border closures, flight cancellations, and increased numbers of infected, it is becoming increasingly difficult to arrange safe passage out of Australia. Temporary visa holders with employment sponsorship conditions, in which the businesses they work for have been affected by trading restrictions, may be forced to leave after building a life and contributing to this country. Working holiday visa makers contribute $1bn to our regional cities and towns, pay large sums of money to our tax system and are a needed workforce for countless industries.

With the current situation, tens of thousands of people will be left in limbo when their current visa expires, and do not have a way to remain legally in Australia. An extension will give these individuals peace of mind that they will not be penalised for overstaying their visa when the situation is out of their control.

Other Commonwealth governments including New Zealand, The United Kingdom and Canada have offered extensions to temporary visa holders during this unprecedented time.

We therefore ask the House to extend all current temporary work visas and working holiday visas due to end within the period of border closures and travel restrictions enacted during the COVID-19 crisis. We ask that these visas be extended until such a time that these restrictions and closures are lifted.

From 2 citizens (EN1450)

COVID-19

Ban Car Washes from Operating due to Coronavirus

There are barely any customers who visit the car wash, and we still have to pay the rent to the Landlord. Please pass the law to stop Car Washes from operating due to Coronavirus so that we would not have to risk our lives into stacking up debts to pay the rent.

We therefore ask the House to ban Car Washes from operating due to the Coronavirus.

From 2 citizens (EN1451)

Video Game Industry

Ban loot boxes which cost money from video games

- Requesting that loot boxes which cost real money are banned from video games as this can promote issues like gambling to many gamers, especially children. This can cause addictions to arise in not just adults but also children

We therefore ask the House to ban the use of loot boxes in video games

From 1 citizen (EN1452)

Banking and Financial Services

Banks to Reduce Credit Card Interest Rates

Banks should be encouraged to reduce Credit Card rates to nearer the official cash rate to allow customers to navigate their way financially through COVID-19 crisis. Credit Cards still have on average a rate that is higher than 10%.

We therefore ask the House to implore the banking sector to reduce the rates during and post the COVID-19 crisis until the economy is in a better state.

From 2 citizens (EN1453)

Migration

Stop discriminating against New Zealanders

Unilateral 2001 laws denying Kiwis access to citizenship and social security are having a racially discriminatory effect by throwing mainly NZ-born and Pasifika under the corona virus bus, leaving them homeless and destitute through no fault of their own. These laws directly discriminate based on NZ-nationality. Such discrimination is generally prohibited under international law, as is violating the human rights of this cohort's children.

We therefore ask the House to comply with its international obligations under the ICERD, ICORC, ICCPR (arts. 2&26), and ICESCR (art. 9: Everyone has the right to social security) by amending citizenship and social security laws so that New Zealanders are again treated equally with all others residing in Australia without limitation as to time. Further, that nationality discrimination be prohibited to the extent required by international law.

From 319 citizens (EN1454)

Exports

Strict restrictions on exports to China

China is perhaps the most opportunistic nation to date, taking full advantage of the Australian people and its land. The interests of china have and always will be self gain through any method available to them, underhanded or not this will never change. At a time like this, the true motives of china have become apparent to the majority of the world. All vitally essential resources are exported to china, by china, for china, this needs to stop! Australia must put its interest first, considering the harm china can do to this nation through its communist leadership which at best, is deceptive. The heavy reliance on china's economic power has left Australia as the feeding ground for Chinese investors for years, this needs to change and change permanently.

We therefore ask the House to put in place stringent measures to monitor, control and restrict all locally produced resources for export by foreign investors, peoples or interests. And further more, put in place more stringent land use legislation to control and restrict land right usages from those who would seek to export or abuse land use for foreign interests.

From 7 citizens (EN1455)

COVID-19

COVID-19 Anticrisis Measures

COVID-19 crisis hits the whole world and Australia in particular. The experts say millions of people may die all over the world this year. For the first time in history all the borders are closed, flights are banned. In the nearest future Australia will experience shortage in doctors and registered nurses, personal protective equipment, hospital beds, drugs, disinfectants, etc.

We therefore ask the House to take actions to stop spreading COVID - 19 which include: amend the legislation so that doctors and registered nurses who are temporary residents will be granted permanent residents visas, reduce VAT for drugs, personal protective equipment, medical equipment required for treatment of COVID -19 and its complications, make ambulance services for symptomatic people free of charge.

From 1 citizen (EN1457)

COVID-19

Freeze commercial rents and mortgages of businesses affected by COVID19

Request the House intervene to support businesses whose revenues have been affected by COVID-19, and are therefor unable or struggling to pay rent, mortgage or loan repayments. Currently the next step for these companies is default, eviction and liquidation of the company. This is in no-ones best interest - the landlords, service provider, lending institution, employees or the governments. However in approaching 10 commercial landlords and two lending institutions across Australia over the past month due to this issue, only one has agreed to a one month suspension of rental payment. This is disappointing, short sighted and un-Australian.

We therefore ask the House to intervene and support businesses who are trying to save jobs, support their customers and keep the Australian economy going. We ask the House to do everything they can to insist landlords offer their commercial tenants negatively impacted by COVID-19 a rent moratorium of 6 months. And also to approach banks and other lending institutions to offer a similar mortgage and loan repayment moratorium for businesses. These moratoriums on rent, mortgage or loan re-payments should not attract additional non-commercial terms like extended lease terms, increased lease payments, reversal of previously provided incentives or increased interest.

From 1 citizen (EN1458)

COVID-19

Mandatory dismissal during the Coronavirus periods

I am writing this letter to ask for a help with my currently difficult situation as a foreign worker.

I am a migrant skilled worker who hold 457 visa and still onward for my future life plan in Australia with a new sponsor since 11th Nov 2018.

Unfortunately, I lost my job as the sponsor had a financially internally hardship by the Coronavirus spread.

- My contract is terminated by the employer at 16 months term. If new start with new employer, it should be lasting for 2 years again. The experience will not be overlapped to new sponsor.

- Could not fill the visa nominee's minimum working obligation (2 years) under the sponsor by migration law.

- Can not be able to find a job at the moment due to the Coronavirus issue and the following government's recent announcement and powerful restricted rules to the Hospitality industry should have shut down.

Now I am concerning that my unforeseeable future, unstable visa condition (will expire in next few months) and dismissal employment by the sponsor.

I lost my job and, my future plans are all broken down in a short time.

There is nothing that I can do now unless going back to my home country.

We therefore ask the House to

In this coronavirus case, those current migration rules are tightly restricted to the temporary visa holder under the minimum conditions of employment include working terms, sponsor, nominated position.

would that barriers possibly widely be relieved?

From 1 citizen (EN1460)

COVID-19

COVID-19 compensation package for landlord

To the Speaker and the Members of the House of Representatives

When our country encounters such a disaster that has not happened in a century, I believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute, so that the whole nation can survive.

As landlords, we are willing to support the government's new legislation on tenant protection during the COVID-19 crisis.

We will give rent reduction within our ability those tenants whose income is affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and we will not evict tenants who cannot afford to pay rent during this period.

We landlord are the tax residents of Australia and also need to be protected by government.

Tenants lost their jobs, but some landlords harder than their tenants. The landlords may also lose their jobs, but they still need to pay water, electricity, council rate, land taxes and bank loans bills.

We hope that the government can issue relevant laws and regulations. In this outbreak, if the tenants are unable to pay the landlord, we hope the government can pay the rent arrears instead. And the government should waive the corresponding amount of land tax and council rate to compensate the landlord.

Property investors contribute a lot of taxes and cheap rental houses for the country. When you blow their confidence, who is willing to invest?

We therefore ask the House to discuss and form a compensation package to all landlords affected by the government's recent no eviction regulations and protect all landlords in this country.

From 2 citizens (EN1464)

Foreign Investment

Deny all foreign ownership bids of Australian owned assets.

Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 and the 2019 and 2020 bushfires on Australian including Australian owned assets, businesses, products, services, utilities, land, environment, wildlife, water and resources, we the people of Australia under the Australian Constitution petition the government acting on our behalf to immediately implement a bill denying foreign ownership or rights either partly or fully by way of sale, licensing or shareholding of Australian owned or partly owned assets as mentioned herein for a minimum term of 4 years with a strong request to extend.

Further, we ask The Federal Government to introduce a bill for all currently foreign owned asset holders to source at least 65% of their products/services/and resources from Australian owned businesses.

Already the effects of both Covid-19 and the Bushfires have had a devastating effect on our economy and people, we need to make it a priority where businesses, products, services, utilities, water and land are to remain Australian owned wholly.

Further, we request the Government to source and use Australian owned products and services. Where no Australian owned product, service or resource is available, we request the Government to assist an Australian owned entity to develop this supply so the financial spend can remain within Australia.

We therefore ask the House to immediately introduce these bills to protect Australian owned assets and entities from foreign ownership, and reduce foreign ownership spending overseas and to support the substantial rebuild, restoration and development of our businesses, services, products, people, environment, wildlife, and economy.

From 22 citizens (EN1466)

Imports

Supporting Aussies - STOP IMPORTING FOOD

- STOP importing food from overseas. SEAFOOD, MEAT, FRUIT & VEGETABLES!

- We do not want to see food for sale from overseas that Australia is in abundance of

- Stop sending our quality food overseas and importing foods with little to no restrictions on hygiene/growing/preserving

- Keep Australians employed by buying from our own backyard!

We therefore ask the House to STOP IMPORTING SEAFOOD, MEAT, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES from overseas! We do not want to see any of this for sale in our supermarkets.

SURELY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS HAD THEIR WAKE UP CALL IN RELATION TO COVID-19!!! We want quality food for our families.

From 5 citizens (EN1467)

Intellectual Property

Repeal section 115a of the Copyright Act 1968

Since Section 115a of the Copyright Act 1968 was passed in 2015, the blocking of pirate sites has forced Australians to wait up to a year to access the latest episodes aired in the USA. As a fan of a certain television series, I have been appalled at the wait for the Aussie broadcast of a new episode. I want a reform to copyright law so that Australians can get U.S. programming within weeks, and at an affordable price. Thanks.

We therefore ask the House to amend or repeal aforementioned section (115a) in order to allow quick, affordable airdates of U.S. content within a month or so after the original (U.S.) airings.

From 1 citizen (EN1468)

COVID-19: Employment

Getting Australia back to work

This petition is to request Parliament to create a comprehensive action plan to get Australia back to work and to adobe a policy of prolonged Social distancing that allows for business to exist.

We therefore ask the House to;

1. Take systematic approach to encourage personal protection or yourself and others by wearing face masks .

2. All industries must have, Temperature testing and a Social Distancing policy with guidelines for staff (see below example for hospitality)

3. Social Distancing rules to be changed to allow for visits to hotels restaurant and bars where social distancing policy is being observed.

GOV PUBLIC MESSAGE

Get out and support your restaurant wearing face mask on your way.

Only go out if you feel well

Observe social distancing policy of one person or household only

Eat well and be merry

Tip staff if you can

CUSTOMER HANDLING

Customers to all be temperature checked

2M Table spacing

Family or 2pax max seating

All food must be cooked

No table cloths unless newly cleaned

All surfaces wiped down before seating

Customers to be provided hand wipes

OPERATIONS

All staff wear masks

All staff temp checked every shift

All staff have been through quarantine

All food suppliers TEMP check staff

All packing arriving is wiped down

All kitchen environment to be sterilized / steam cleaned daily

From 1 citizen (EN1469)

Vaccination

Vaccination Freedom Agenda

Many consider vaccinations poison. Mandatory vaccinations must not become law as we loose more freedom of decision for ourself. Many reports are of people more sick after receiving vaccinations and this petition is for the australian government in full to show live vaccinations by appointed hospitals by the people designated towards the government officials to show that they have no problem taking the vaccination them selves before introducing it to the people and requesting they do. The Pri MINISTER is not passed on this and just have live vaccinations appointed by the people administered by doctors that have no connection to any outside Australia organization such as WHO etc. THIS PROTECTS THE PEOPLE AND SHOWS THE GOVERNMENTS ARE WILLING TO SHOW THEIR PEOPLE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VACCINATIONS.

We therefore ask the House to

protect the australian people from any medical misuse or freedom abuse. And allow the government to take responsibility and set an example for the people.

From 26 citizens (EN1470)

COVID-19: Taxation

Allow tax and deductions on food and beverage.

To assist the hospitality industry to keep a producing a revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We therefore ask the House to consider allowing businesses and people working from home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic home claim food and beverage ordered from cafes and restaurants through takeaway and delivery as a tax deduction. Furthermore allow businesses registered for GST to claim back the GST on takeaway and delivery orders.

From 4 citizens (EN1471)

Migration

Modify standards for temporary visa applications and extensions

A large number of travelers are in Australia on visitor visas that are due to expire soon. As a result of travel restrictions they will be forced to stay in the country unlawfully. Those travellers will be subject to consequences including bans and fines.

Travelers on some working visas (e.g. 417 & 462) have been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these traveller may not be in a position to afford onward travel or an application for another visa. Those travellers will be subject to consequences including bans and fines.

Many working tavellers (specifically on 417 & 462) visas are unable to complete the 3 months of required work that will enable them to apply for an extension.

We therefore ask the House to extend all current working holiday visas (417 & 462) for no less than 12 months

OR

Waive all costs associated with the visa application process for 90 days.

From 1 citizen (EN1472)

China

Rethinking Australia's approach to China

Australia faces an increasingly frosty and hostile geopolitical environment that commands greater clarity and direction on the nations positioning towards the People's Republic of China.

We therefore ask the House to adopt the following strategies:

1. Query the Prime Minister, Hon Scott Morrison, as to why there is a one way door of investment capital between Australia and China. Chinese foreign Direct Investment is permitted and encouraged however Australian investment cannot flow into China. This is not a mutual relationship.

2. Formally condemn the Chinese government for deliberately concealing the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in a global pandemic that is crippling our economy. Additionally, reparations should be sought - consider the nationalisation of Chinese owned assets in Australia.

3. Formally condemn the Chinese government's economic imperialism and military expansion into the South China Sea and the South Pacific

4. Greater transparency and action on Chinese interference, including the immediate disclosure of Chinese donations to a political party, exposure of lobbying efforts and subversion attempts in addition to limiting influence on student bodies and diaspora media.

5. Diversify the economy to be less reliant on China with the purpose of decoupling to the extent that Australia is no longer vulnerable to economic blackmail.

6. Maintain the foreign Investment bid trigger at zero. All foreign investment should be weighed up against the national interest. We urge a review into Chinese investment into strategic assets, including critical infrastructure and stress that these bids should be blocked under all circumstances.

From 222 citizens (EN1473)

COVID-19

Nursing registration for all graduates Australian citizens

There is lot's of nursing students struggling to get their registration due to the current recommendations of English language proficiency. We are Australian citizens, since 15 years we are living here.. studied with Commonwealth support.. passed all subjects with high marks. However we didn't study our schooling here, so we are not eligible. I studied more than 5 years in Australia but there is a gap.. not a continues study therefore as per the current rule I am not eligible. I am staying in rural area need to travel main cities for English language test.. it is totally a luck or business. Now because of Covid 19 all locked down.. please help us. It is our passion to become a nurse how much effort we took .. please consider us.. we are Australian too...

We therefore ask the House to make it possible nursing registration for all the Australian graduates. So we won't be a burden rather will be a benefit for community as well as to the government.

From 3 citizens (EN1474)

Charitable Organisations

Charity investigation

This is a matter the house must act

We therefore ask the House to investigate. Charities. That received donations from bushfires as many people are saying they told charity's what happen and proved. Houses burnt down and charity refused to help so with this charity's should be investigated if millions was donated then millions should be justified where it went not on wages or anything for charity's. But must go to victims 100%. Not 80or40. But 100% of donated money charity's must itemise the money. If they have not given money they must be deregister. As a charity and fined

From 8 citizens (EN1475)

Homemakers

Woman homemakers deserve workers rights

The reasons are the that woman stand in a very difficult position where they are 24/7 responsible for household, kids and themselves. After all the sacrifice they make for family and the nation, the nation should admit and declare them as full time workers paid from budget. Other option that woman should have the priority when renting and going for mortgage and it should be all backed up by the government. This decision will be for greater good of the nation and AU should give and example to the world how inequality is not just a dictionary phrase. Put he phrase into action.

We therefore ask the House to pass the law covering the most crucial part of the national interest, which is australian families and address the status of woman in this society which is putting them into big risk of abuse every kind.

From 7 citizens (EN1476)

COVID-19

Proof of sunset clauses on emergency powers RE; COVID-19

I petition the House to prove there are sunset clauses to the executive emergency powers enacted when dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. I charge there are civil liberties risks attached if no proof can be given sunset clauses exist on these powers.

I therefore ask the House to prove in writing these sunset clauses exist to limit executive power once the emergency has passed.

We therefore ask the House to - Prove -In writing - Sunset clauses to executive emergency powers exist and will, immediately, end these powers once COVID-19 threat is passed.

From 8 citizens (EN1477)

COVID-19: Higher Education

Suspension of Study session for Session 1, 2020 by Universities

As per the Student Visa Rules, an international student can study up to one-third of their course online and/or distance learning. In official study sessions (Session 1 and Session 2), international students need to study at least one unit that is face to face teaching and not online or distance. However, due to COVID-19 situation, Australian universities have to transit their course delivery into online teaching. This action makes all the Student Visa holders breach their visa condition. International students are required to pay up to four times more than the domestic students and online teaching in no way will justify the value of such high tuition fees. While the education provider itself should be focused on refraining students to breach any visa conditions, this action is directly contravening their responsibility.

We therefore ask the House to direct the government to choose one of the options.

1. The government can make the education providers provide fee credit from the difference between international fee-paying and domestic fee-paying amount from this session for future sessions.

2. The government may ask the education providers to suspend the delivery of courses for this session and the Department of Home Affairs to renew all the visa expiry date of the international students by at least six months without having to submit any application or fees.

From 1 citizen (EN1478)

COVID-19: Health Care

HECS Exemption for Health Care Workers

Frontline health workers have been putting their own health at risk to treat those who have been stricken by the COVID-19 virus, working extraordinary hours and under extremely stressful conditions. Their kindness and unwavering care for our society often goes unrewarded and unrecognised.

We therefore ask the House to consider full exemptions of 100% of any outstanding or accruing HECS debts for those healthcare workers who have been at the frontline of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and are continuing to put their own health at risk for the health care of others.

From 11 citizens (EN1479)

COVID-19

Provide clear criteria for the release of Covid-19 lockdown measures

If you commit a serious crime, you go to jail for a defined term, and you might get out early if you meet specific parole conditions. In Australia's Covid-19 response, we have all been told to hide in our rooms for an undefined period, with no defined circumstances which will lead to our release.

Never before in our lifetimes have we seen such policy change and such expenditure from an Australian Government in such a short time with such limited interrogation and review. We have heard general statements like:

. "This is going to take 6 months" - OK, WHAT is going to take 6 months?

. We can't eradicate the virus, but we can delay it! - OK, so what level of infection rate is acceptable and will lead to the lockdown being released?

. We have to "flatten the curve" - OK, which curve? Total number of cases? Then states need to start reporting recoveries daily.

We are OK with giving up our freedom and livelihoods for good and defined reasons, but not in response to vague assertions for an indefinite period. If we are all in "this" together, we would really like to know what "this" looks like.

We therefore ask the House to define the objectives and the measures of success of the Covid-19 response:

. What does success look like?

. What are the criteria for lifting the lockdown restrictions?

. What are the measures that we will track and report on to show progress?

From 2 citizens (EN1481)

COVID-19

Parliamentary sittings including virtual sittings to continue during pandemic

Your petitioners are concerned at the risks to the integrity of Australian democracy and accountability for the exercise of executive powers and spending of public money if the parliament continues to meet infrequently, for brief sittings.

We therefore ask the House to resume sittings of not less than customary annual sittings patterns (an average of only 67 days per year since Federation), and that virtual sittings be introduced to enable sittings with reduced risks to Members and staff of exposure to COVID19. Virtual sittings should be broadcast in the normal manner.

From 15 citizens (EN1482)

Baby Formula

Baby Formula Protection with Confirmation of need to purchase.

The need for baby Formula is evident for a Mother with a Baby. A Mother with a baby is a confirmed with the issuance of a Health Care Card that needs to be presented at Welfare Centres for regular checks on the welfare of said baby.

The purchase of baby Formula from any retail outlet for said formula, 1) Needs to be accompanied by the Welfare Card. 2) Needs to be presented by THE mother, not the Father or any other person.

This will prevent unscrupulous hoarding and bulk purchasing of said formula for export to foreign soil that disadvantages Australian Mother. Companies can export them selves without paid bulk buyers of Foreign Nationalities.

We therefore ask the House to:

1) Introduce legislation that provides for retail outlets to demand Welfare Cards as proof of parental need for Baby Formula. 2) For Welfare Cards to be registered and if need be, photo identity to be included.

From 9 citizens (EN1483)

Organic Food

''ZERO-TAX" for certified organic food growers 2020-2040

Certified organic food and food products consumption is a way to help ensure the cellular health of Australian citizens and could significantly alleviate future costs in areas such as health and medical support for Australia. Scientific studies show that chemical free soil supports the growth of food containing significantly more useful nutrition and significantly less damaging chemicals to the human body when ingested. Supporting certified organic food growers and producers by offering a no tax incentive would motivate more organic food production and result in better health for Australian citizens in the future and less costs for the government in providing health services of all types which would offset the loss of tax revenue from organic food growers and producers.

We therefore ask the House to provide a 'ZERO-TAX' to all Australian growers and producers of certified organic food and food products for the period of 20 years from July 2020 to July 2040.

From 14 citizens (EN1485)

COVID-19: Migration

Extend entry dates for existing working holiday visas - COVID-19

Petition request

That the House of Representatives urge the Government to extend the entry dates on existing working holiday visas for people who are currently offshore and unable to enter the country due to COVID-19.

We therefore ask the House to extending the entry dates of working holiday visas for offshore holders, who are unable to enter the country before their visa expires due to the pandemic of COVID-19. We understand that you currently have more pressing matters to deal with, but once the pandemic is over and it is safe for us to travel we ask that there be a way to extend our visas to allow us to use them.

From 2 citizens (EN1486)

5G Technology

Moratorium on the 5G rollout

Dear Minister please ensure that 5G technology is thoroughly and independently tested for potential long-term adverse health effects before it is rolled out in Australia. The health effect issue of 5G is potentially very controversial as the communications industry is massive and 5G technology will be quite pervasive but its long-term health effects on humans are largely unknown.

Thorough and independent testing of 5G technology is crucial before this technology is rolled out in Australia. Current safety limits are insufficient. Apart from the genuine threat of it being carcinogenic, there are numerous health ailments suspected to be caused by exposure to radiation emitted by 5G transmitters. Health is more important than having a faster Internet.

We therefore ask the House to

Until this type of frequency/wave length and the Oxidative Stress on Human and Animal cells produced by the 5G infrastructure/cell towers is proven safe long term. Then please ban the rollout of the 5G network. These towers are going to be emitting radiation 24/7 within close proximity to homes and schools etc.. There is already enough overwhelming evidence that current cell towers & wifi have impacted on the health and wellbeing of today's society with the World Health Organisation classing RF radiations as a Group2b carcinogen. The sad part is we won't see the health related implications until 1-3 years of this being rolled out and this is when it will be to late.

Protect your people - do the right thing

From 45 citizens (EN1487)

Space Industry

It's time we think ahead - moratorium on space travel.

25 years ago was discussing environmental issues with an elder work colleague prompting him to say, " what happens when you lift the lid of a bottle of champagne? All the gasses escape, and thats why the hole over the antarctic is getting bigger, too many rockets going through our stratesphere ". About 10 weeks ago our honourable P.M. announced a sitting committee regarding environmental future planning, then around same time announces Australia joining the multitude of ultra violet protection destroying space rockets when in fact any professor associated worth their salt in these matters would concur there should be no more than 3 or 4 space entries per year leaving the planet, which is everyones home. Now we have a voice at the space race table, lets get a share by all system re satelites, etc., and reduce the global warming race.

We therefore ask the House to utelise whatever means available to promote reduction in space travel in order to protect our planet from accelerated global warming, and to voice a sharing internationally of limited orbital planetary device/plant.

From 2 citizens (EN1489)

5G Technology

Stop the implementation of 5G network

Asking that the house halts the implementation of the 5G network in Australia until members of the public are consulted and a thorough investigation is done in to the health risks associated with the radiation emitted from its excessive use of towers and small cells and also an enquiry as to why the implementation was brought forward while Australia is in lockdown.

We therefore ask the House to suspend further implementation of the 5G network and to start an enquiry in to its potential health risks and to take in to consideration the amount of Australians opposed to its deployment.

From 11419 citizens (EN1490)

5G Technology

HALT IMPLEMENTATION OF 5G

I'm asking for a halt on the implementation of the 5G network in Australia until members of the public are consulted and a thorough investigation is done in terms of health risks associated with the radiation emitted from its excessive use of towers and small cells and also an enquiry as to why the implementation was brought forward while Australia is in lockdown.

We therefore ask the House to suspend further implementation of the 5G network and to start an enquiry into its potential health risks and to take into consideration the amount of Australians opposed to its deployment.

From 40 citizens (EN1492)

5G Technology

5G Roll Out Australia

The serious implications to the health of Australian due to lack of adequate research on 5G

We therefore ask the House to stop the roll out of 5G and immediately conduct extensive research on the implications the radiation has on the unsuspecting public. Thus publish those findings and inform the Australian people. If the findings conclude that 5G is detrimental to human health abort plans to roll it out in Australia

From 56 citizens (EN1493)

COVID-19

Relax Quarantine and Isolation Rules For Regional Areas

The population density of regional areas poses a significantly lower risk of the contagion spreading, which is reflected by the small number of confirmed cases outside of large population centers. Regional towns have much smaller economies, hence they do not have the same capacity to recover as the business centers in large cities and will be adversely effected by prolonged disruption to trade. Relaxing restrictions in all but the major epicenters of COVID-19 will ease the social and economic effects of the prevailing government action, while quickening the overall national economic recovery.

We therefore ask the House to swiftly, methodically and logically assess the viability and positive effects of quarantining large population centers separate to the rest of Australia for the purposes of easing restrictions on businesses and social interactions in lower risk regions.

From 5 citizens (EN1494)

COVID-19: Migration

Working Holiday visa entry extension request Covid-19

Due to COVID-19, hundreds of working holiday visa holders cannot enter Australia before the expiry of their entry date. These people have dreamt of coming to Australia for years and they've changed their lives to do so. Some quit jobs, arranged to give up tenancies to make the WHV work for them. Many of us have our visa expiry dates looming and would still love to enter after the pandemic has passed however at present IMMI has refused to extend the expiry date for the first entry on any working holiday visa. This seems like a very unfair approach from IMMI for all WHV holders, especially for the people who have applied and gained visas just before turning 31 or who have applied from a country that has limited numbers accepted for WHV per year. I'd like to point out that a lot of people apply for the visa and then have to request the time off of work, save money, give notice to their landlords and prepare. There are hundreds of reasons why people wait until the end of their visa entry date to enter the country. Please hear our voices and extend the first entry date for everyone who has not yet entered Australia.

We therefore ask the House to extend all of the Working Holiday visas that are due to expire during the pandemic and border closures until we can all move from country to country freely again without risking ours or anyone else's health and safety.

From 2 citizens (EN1495)

COVID-19

Australia after COVID-19: Local Food, Water Security and Australian-Made Resources

After the social devastation of COVID-19, Australians need the people who work in OUR government to create hundreds of thousands of meaningful jobs, restore small business, rebuild local manufacturing, reflourish life skills, increase health & education, re-empower local decision making, resolve the economic crisis and permanently insulate Australia from global issues such as pandemics, climate changes, economic collapses or any other inevitable disruption to the co-dependent globalised food and resource systems.

We therefore ask the House to fund a massive rebuild of our social-system with:

- Strong local food supplies including more home grown food, polycultural farming (such as Permaculture farms), commercial greenhouses and plant factories (especially for dense populations);

- Water security for personal, agricultural and industrial use, especially redistribution projects such as national piping infrastructure and dam-networks & schemes;

- Greater personal energy security; and

- Industrial-Hemp resource systems to produce, process, manufacture and retail our own biofuels, paper, plastics, clothing, body-care, foods, medicine, furniture, building materials, houses, vehicles and 1000's of other environmentally-friendly products.

This can easily be funded by recreating our National Bank (like the former Commonwealth Bank of Australia model when run by Denison Miller in the early 20th Century) and a decentralised network of Local Public Banks to locally fund necessary service provision and infrastructural expansion. That would be the wisest approach, but at the very least the government can invest some of the billions-of-dollars created-out-of-nothing in these projects.

More Aussie-made stuff. More meaningful jobs. More authentic living. More power for the people.

SIGN-AND-SHARE!

From 22 citizens (EN1498)

World Health Organization

Freeze funding to the World Health Organization

To the Honourable Speaker and Member of the House of Representatives.

We the undersigned petitioners are calling on the Federal Government to freeze funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) due to their mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic started after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 'silenced' Doctors who alerted authorities to COVID-19. The CCP hid this information from the world, closed China's own internal borders but allowed international travel from Wuhan to spread the virus to 'unsuspecting and unprepared' nations around the globe. The CCP claimed the 'Wet Markets' of Wuhan were the virus source.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros, ACCEPTED and SUPPORTED President Xi Jingping's DELAYS, MISINFORMATION, and DECEPTION when notifying the world of unlikely human infectiousness and pathogenicity of COVID-19. The WHO also criticized nations (like Australia) who closed their borders early to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The same Wet Markets - the 'apparent' source of COVID-19, have now been reopened with the full support of the WHO.

Our Prime Minister and Treasurer berated the WHO's support of China's reopening of wet markets, but, have stalled at withholding $63 million in funding to an organization that has FAILED their global charter, supported CCP propaganda and recklessly mishandled a global pandemic.

We therefore ask the House to freeze funding to the World Health Organization, pending a full and open investigation and public report into the WHO management of, and culpability for, the COVID-19 pandemic, prior to re-considering any further taxpayer funding.

From 1052 citizens (EN1500)

Education

Education

"SCIENCE" the eternal power of 'truth' has discovered the true passage for all Human-Cultures to go forward together, "In a common direction;" enhancing Humanity's capability to Scientifically question, our responsibility towards all Children of tomorrow, and their Children's, Children; "Recognizing our selfish behavior," denying our Children their 'Education-rights' about anatomical changes to their body organisms, during the past 3.95 Billions-years, the Evolutionary process that created 'ALL' Human-kind; and terrorists use violence for a political purpose, to protect their ancient belief and faith in 'who' made us; that ancient out-of-date mythical 'belief and faith' is no-longer fit for purpose; Politically meaning, "our Scientific legal goal," has always been to right the wrong, by establishing a peaceful transition, from ancient religious-laws, to the Scientific-age of knowledge; Yes! Scientifically refusing to lie, Discriminate, or deceive our Children in any way, will design a legal moral-code to 'Truthfully and Peacefully' govern the conduct of human-affairs. "Please support Humanity's Children."

We therefore ask the House to debate this 'EDUCATION BILL: Education Act, to be amended. Section 1: Introduce one Subject (H-E.E.L. / HUMAN-EVOLUTION EDUCATION LAW) that principle law will rule one (COMPULSORY SEPARATE CURRICULUM) in grades 1 to 12, competently Educating all Students in every School-Culture about, "Human-Evolution," which will build a high-quality early Childhood Education for those Students, on their journey through School, and University; Compassionately touched and designed by Science, for every Public School, Private School, religious School, and Independent School.

From 2 citizens (EN1501)

COVID-19: Health Care

Integrating Chinese Medicine into Treatments for COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused enormous health, economic and sociological challenges in Australia.

While there's no known pharmaceutical product or vaccine against COVID-19, China still achieved 93.5% recovery rate as of April 10th,2020, as opposed to Italy's 20.6%. Its reported death rate, 4.7% in Hubei and 0.8% in the rest of China, is distinctly lower than Italy's 12.7%.

Chinese Medicine (CM)—the key differentiator—has contributed greatly to the fight against COVID-19 in China. Above 90% of diagnosed patients received CM treatments. Several tailored CM prescriptions are officially recommended by National Health Commission of China. Two clinical trials in China also demonstrated an above 91% recovery rate of the experimental group with CM.

Currently, CM has not been considered in assisting in the fight against COVID-19 in Australia. Furthermore, CM practitioners in Australia have no access to several scheduling herbs (MA HUANG, FU ZI, XI XIN, KUAN DONG HUA) which are critical in above prescriptions used in China. Little progress has been made since CMBA proposed to alter the scheduling of these herbs in 2017.

Winter, the flu season, is fast approaching. The situation could deteriorate in the next 6 months. We must utilise all appropriate approaches including CM to save more lives and recover a well-functioning society ASAP.

We therefore ask the House to approve CM treatment for COVID-19 Pandemic, implement an emergency solution to allow qualified CM practitioners to access the required scheduling herbs, and add CM related treatments into Medicare Benefits Schedule until the end of 2020 or beyond.

From 514 citizens (EN1502)

World Health Organization

Withdraw funding from the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization has proven it is incapable of providing sound guidance during world health emergencies, valuing China's support over the lives of global citizens. Actions such as covering up initial infections, denying the ability of the virus to transmit between humans, silencing doctors that attempted to warn other countries and failing to provide accurate information and data on the virus to other countries. The WHO also criticized nations such as Australia that placed travel bans to reduce the spread of the virus, while praising China for its inaction.

The Chinese government's management of COVID-19 and the WHO's inability to provide competent, accurate and transparent guidance have been detrimental to the entire world causing unnecessary economic and physical harm. The Australian Government cannot, in good conscience continue to fund the WHO without demanding serious reform, including distancing itself from the Chinese government and a change in leadership.

We therefore ask the House to completely withdraw Australian funding of the World Health Organization until the conditions below are met.

A: An independent investigation is undertaken by an suitable entity without affiliation to the World Health Organization into the role of the World Health Organization in the spread of COVID-19, with the findings to be made publicly available.

B: Current leaders of the World Health Organization must resign, particularly those with connections to communist parties and organizations.

C: The World Health Organization recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign state and allows it to become a member of the World Health Organization.

From 301 citizens (EN1503)

5G Technology

THE COMMUNITY WANT MELBOURNE TO STAY FREE FROM 5G

There are thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies evidencing harm from radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) well below the standards set by ARPANSA.

The ARPANSA Standard has been strongly criticised by independent scientists worldwide as unscientific and inadequate for the protection of human safety. Authorities in other countries have adopted standards ten to 100 times more rigorous than the ARPANSA Standard.

The views of ICNIRP (on whose guidelines the ARPANSA safety limit is based) and ARPANSA are not in line with the opinions of the larger, independent scientific community that has published peer-reviewed research on the biological effects of RF EMR. ICNIRP is not independent of industry and has had numerous conflicts of interest identified over the years.

ARPANSA has acknowledged that further research on the frequencies to be used with 5G is needed: Both the RSC (2014) and SCENIHR (2015) reviews identified that the dosimetry in the 6 GHz to 300 GHz range is still developing and further research is required to examine the effects of exposure to new and emerging technologies. The SCENIHR review in particular mentioned that "considering the expected increase in use of THz technologies, more research focusing on the effects on skin (long-term, low-level exposure) and cornea is recommended.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown an increase in ill health effects in populations living near mobile phone base stations, ranging from neurological damage to breast and brain cancers.

We therefore ask the House to stop roll out of 5G technology and remove already installed masts.

From 47 citizens (EN1504)

Vaccination

Reverse mandatory vaccinations for visitors to nursing homes

"Bodily autonomy is defined as the right to self governance over one's own body without external influence or coercion. It is generally considered to be a fundamental human right."

Anyone who has not been vaccinated against influenza by May 1st will be banned from entering any, and all residential aged care facilities.

This includes family and friends, volunteers, tradesmen, health professionals, contract workers, community transport, the cook, the cleaner, the gardener and the delivery driver.

Aged care facilities throughout Australia have already implemented new policies and procedures regarding infection control in response to the covid 19 pandemic. All visitors are required to sign documentation and consent to having their temperature checked.

In addition to this, all healthcare workers have a duty of care to ensure they do not attend the premises if they are unwell. This should be sufficient.

No one should be forced to choose between their right to visit a loved one, and their right to bodily autonomy. Just as no-one should be coerced into relinquishing their right to bodily integrity so they can retain their job.

We therefore ask the House to revoke the government mandate on mandatory influenza vaccinations in Aged care facilities, on the grounds that it violates a.person's right to bodily autonomy and contravenes a person's right to self determination, personhood, freedom of thought/conscience, and freedom of expression as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights.

From 418 citizens (EN1505)

All-Terrain Vehicles

Repeal ACCC Recommendations for Mandatory Crush Protection Devices on ATVs

The ACCC Recommendations for Mandatory Crush devices on ATVs is a change drafted by disconnected bureaucrats sitting in cities looking at statistics. ATVs are a crucial utility item for large properties due to their increased safe carrying capacity in comparison to Motorcycles, and with a wider access to difficult terrain than cars. Many property owners rely on ATVs for mustering, spraying and other utility requirements.

The mandatory safety requirements are effectively a stealth ban on a vital rural utility item. The ACCC refuses to acknowledge that ATVs with rollover bars are a larger risk to rider safety than a standard ATV, as stated by numerous manufacturers of ATVs (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha). Instead, the ACCC purposely mislabels Side-by-side off-road vehicles, which are not effective as utility vehicles, as generic ATVs in order to support the requirements. This is despite the fact that side-by-sides are inherently different to ATVs in marketing and application.

The changes have already caused Honda and Yamaha to cease sales of ATVs by 2021. Placing property owners in a difficult position if a crucial utility vehicle requires replacement. The requirements are simply a movement to punish all users of ATVs for the statistics of a minority of users, who in a vast majority of cases, are already breaching the existing safety requirements and recommendations prior to crashes.

We therefore ask the House to repeal the mandatory requirement for crush protection devices on ATVs.

From 2 citizens (EN1506)

Gambling

Ban using Credit Cards from Online Gambling websites

I'm raising this petition to propose credit cards be banned from online gambling websites. There is no law in place to legislate the use of credit cards on online gambling website I'm not proposing all credit cards be banned, the customer will still be able to use a debit Visa or debit MasterCard meaning they only use funds that are in their own bank account not borrowed funds at the highest interest rate charged from the bank which currently happens when doing a cash advance to online gambling websites.

In a gaming venue ATM's don't accept withdrawals from credit cards and a max of $200 can be withdrawn at 1 time, online shouldn't be different.

Technology is available to identify the card being used on the website, I am proposing Australian gambling websites have to ban credit cards.

For example the 1st digits of a card identities it to the bank and card type. Eg. Cards starting with 4557 are NAB Visa cards (props be banned) where as cards starting with 4057 NAB visa debit cards (still to be accepted under new proposal).

With a credit card customers can bet any amount with money charged at often around 20% interest per day. With debts of 10s of thousands of dollars this causes mental health issues.

We therefore ask the House to make it law that online gambling sites ban CREDIT CARDS and only accept DEBIT CARDS. There is technology available they can install on their website to make this possible.

From 12 citizens (EN1507)

COVID-19

Sieze Chinese asset's in Australia to pay for Covid-19

Due to the cover-up from the Chinese regime,we, the Australian people, require the federal Government of Australia to seize all Chinese assets in Australia to pay for the economic and social damage caused by Chinas lies! If the assets siezed do not cover the estimated 200 billion in allocated stimulus as emergency measures then the federal Government of Australia is to use all options available in the international courts to pursue the Chinese regime for full reparations caused by the Chinese regime's cover-up of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan.

We therefore ask the House to pursue reparations from the Chinese regime for the pain and suffering caused by thier cover-up of the Covid-19 outbreak which originated in Wuhan. Initially this will be carried out by the seizure of Chinese corperate asset's in Australia.

From 44 citizens (EN1508)

COVID-19: Health Care

Hazard allowance and tax holiday for essential healthcare workers

Among essential workers, healthcare workers including pharmacists and pharmacy staff are real oxygen for treating the patients as they are responsible for maintaining the entire medicine management that every patient receives either in hospital or in community pharmacy settings. While most doctors are consulting online, we remain open and work at frontline. We cannot work from home and must have to turn up to work to potentially save the lives of others. We are working very hard behind the scenes to make sure each patient under our care gets timely supply of their medicines. We are still offering medication, device counselling, education to the patients to practise good personal hygiene and social distancing. We are always bombarded by consumers for masks, sanitisers, and other enquiries. A typical pharmacist serves 150 to 220 patients in one shift, making a workload of two minutes per prescription item. Since we would not know whether they have Covid-19 infection, especially those who are asymptomatic, with a three-ply mask as PPE, chances of getting infection and further transmitting to family members increases. Additionally, we have been abused, punched, spat on, and even had medicine bottles thrown at us by patients when we cannot fulfil their request either due to shortage of medicines or fear of stockpiling. The Government has supported others (excluding us) since the very beginning of this pandemic.

We therefore ask the House to provide the essential healthcare worker with hazard allowance and tax holiday during the Covid-19 crisis

From 861 citizens (EN1509)

COVID-19: Pensions and Benefits

Financial Support for Self Funded Retirees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many Self Funded Retirees have gone from financial security to insecurity in a matter of weeks. Their struggle to make ends meet is not being recognised by the government and they feel abandoned in their time of need. They are being told they cannot evict tenants and that they are to support tenants who cant pay with an agreed reduction or cessation of rental payments. This has resulted in great financial hardship for many older Australians. There are more than 1.5 million households with at least one investment property, many of whom are no longer receiving rent. More than half of 66-year-olds were not accessing the age pension and these people have been forgotten in this time of crisis while many are receiving more pay than they were before the crisis as a result of the pandemic. Many of them have had to resort to re-mortgaging their home as inquiries for Reverse Mortgages skyrocket! Please support them!

We therefore ask the House to introduce regular payments, similar to JobKeepers, for Self Funded Retirees who have experienced a downturn in their income since COVID 19 restrictions. This is to help them to pay their bills and support their needs.

From 7 citizens (EN1510)

COVID-19: Migration

Extension entry dates for existing WHV (462 & 417) COVID-19

We request an extension for the entry dates of Work and Holiday Visas (subclass 462) and Working Holiday (subclass 417) for offshore holders. This extension would be seeked by those who are unable to enter the country before their visa expires due to the pandemic of COVID-19. We understand that you currently have more pressing matters to deal with, but once the pandemic is over and it is safe for us to travel, we request an extension to our visas to allow us to use them. Even if the holders of WHV have exceeded the age of 30 or the visas have expired during the confinement.

We therefore ask the House to urge the Government to extend the entry dates on existing Work and Holiday Visas (subclass 462) and Working Holiday Visas (subclass 417) for people who are currently offshore and unable to enter the country due to COVID-19.

From 3434 citizens (EN1513)

COVID-19: Biosecurity

Free Australia

We, Australia's civil society organizations and members of the public, ask the Australian government to revoke the emergency measures instituted on 18 March 2020 under the Biosecurity Act 2015 since it is now clear that COVID-19 does not meet the requirements stated in Chapter 2, Part 1, Division 2 of the Biosecurity Act, namely "that a power is exercised, or biosecurity measure imposed, only when circumstances are sufficiently serious to justify it, and only if it would be effective, it is appropriate and adapted for its purpose, and it is no more restrictive or intrusive than is required."

The scientific data shows that:

-   quarantine measures are not effective,

-   the mortality is low,

-   the mortality profile of COVID-19 corresponds to natural mortality,

-   the mortality is so low that the UK public health bodies no longer consider COVID-19 to be a high consequence infectious disease (HCID),

-   excess mortality due Covid19 is likely to be near zero,

-   COVID-19 is no more dangerous than influenza,

-   the vast majority remain symptom free,

-   the pessimistic forecasts that informed decision making were incorrect and have been revised,

-   the World Doctors Federation has stated that lockdown measures are "unreasonable" and "counterproductive" and should be reversed,

-   the WHO states there is no airborne transmission of COVID-19,

-   the restrictive measures lead to more deaths than the virus itself.

We therefore ask the House to revoke the emergency measures instituted on 18 March 2020 under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

From 328 citizens (EN1514)

COVID-19

#FREEAUSTRALIA

THE covid19 pandemic has almost destroyed our beloved economy. THE head of W.H.O has directed Australia into a global scheme to push towards globalism.W.H.O and investors such a bill gates and the bill and Melinda gates foundation have their own desires from a pandemic outbreak that is a big pharma vaccination scheme.

We therefore ask the House to remove the Australian attachments to W.H.O and the United nations and gain back our independence. THE lockdowns are against or constitutional laws of Australia and should be lifted straight away. No citizen in Australia should be forced to have anything done to their personal body against their will. We demand our freedom and it's been proven this pandemic is overly exaggerated to the extent that the Australian people have and still are loosing their life investments and more. There is no reason to demand the Australian citizens to do any the above as vaccinations are proven to be poison to some and the lockdowns are against the Australian constitution to freely travel between states. A pandemic or new laws can not over write the original constitutional laws of our country. Free your people as we feel we are on home arrest and even some worry about the draconian almost tyrannical control and loss of freedom we have all experienced the last few months. Many doctors such as DR SHIVA, DR ANDREW KAUFMAN have come forward and many more but the media does not allow the information to be heard.

From 82 citizens (EN1515)

COVID-19

Award of Covid-19 Service Medal for Public Sector Workers

Suggesting that Public Sector workers medical staff, police, ambulance, care home workers, refuse collectors, post office workers and similar individuals be awarded a Service Medal for the selfless devotion shown in ensuring the country functions. At times putting themselves at risk from the Covid-19 virus caring for the sick and supporting the general public.

We therefore ask the House to authorise the award of a Covid-19 Service Medal to eligible members of the public service, who have ensured the health, safety and wellbeing of all in Australia.

From 2 citizens (EN1516)

Family Law

Bring fairness to property settlement laws at time of separation/divorce

We request that the House change property settlement laws to reflect social equality and real justice for couples at separation. Currently in Australia, property settlement is a minefield of litigation.

We therefore ask the House to adopt property settlement rules such as those from Roman Law countries. Marriage prenuptial conventions in Roman Law have 3 main prenup conventions and whatever you choose cannot be changed.

1) Full communion of property/assets. Whatever each member of a couple brings into the civil union belongs to both. This includes inheritances past or future, assets, debts and both are equally liable for each other. At separation everything is valued and shared 50/50, including debts.

2) Acquired communion of assets. Whatever each owns before the civil union, including inheritances, assets and debts belongs to that person, everything else brought into the union after a recognized relationship is established, belongs to both parties and at separation is valued and divided 50/50 including debts acquired after civil union began. Pre-union debts are not factored into the couple's debts.

3) Total separation of assets, neither person in a couple relationship is entitled to anything which belongs to the other party at any stage. Each has to keep track of what they own and at separation, they take what they are entitled to and have no right to claim anything from the other party.

This is plain common sense and people of goodwill should stand by a system which brings true equality and responsibility into couples financial affairs.

From 149 citizens (EN1518)

Foreign Investment

Sieze assets with any ties to the Chinese Communist party

In light of China's economic threats against Australia in response to our request for an inquiry regarding the origin of COVID-19, many Australians want to see our ties with China severed.

I call for the federal government to sieze any assets owned in full or part by any organisation with ties or links to the Chinese Communist Party.

These companies do not hold Australia's best interests in mind, as we saw with multiple companies under the influence of the CCP pilfering all of our medical supplies right before a crisis.

We need to rid ourselves of China, for the future of Australia depends on it.

We therefore ask the House to sieze any assets owned in full or part by any organisation with ties or links to the Chinese Communist Party.

From 40 citizens (EN1520)

Australian Constitution

Constitution

This is a matter for the house to act we need a public acknowledgment of the constitution

We therefore ask the House to make public that constitution is above all laws state and constitution laws come first above all state laws and it's entity's the line has become fuzzy on laws state and federal ....

From 32 citizens (EN1521)

COVID-19

Increase carers pensions during the Covid 19 crisis.

Carers are now providing additional support to both Aged and Disable clients and need additional income to assist providing the same level of care and support.

We therefore ask the House to increase the Carers Pensions for Aged and Disabled clients.

From 277 citizens (EN1522)

COVID-19

Responding to the Communist Party of China

It is highly likely the COVID-19 virus originated from China.

It is highly likely the Communist Party of China (CPC) failed to ensure transparency and manage the outbreak of COVID-19 effectively, resulting in thousands of premature deaths internationally and significantly impacting the economies of the world.

Australia and other nations seek to establish an investigation into the origin of COVID-19.

The CPC has attempted to intimidate and threaten Australian with economic reprisals if it does not stop calling for an international investigation.

The issue is caused by the CPC not the Chinese people.

We therefore ask the House to to remain strong and steadfast in face of such threats, to diversify and prioritize our trade with non communist nations and return critical manufacturing to Australia.

If the CPC continues to make threats, feel free to;

*expel the CPC Ambassador,

*cut off exports of resources to China,

*suspend or stop support for any other activities of China in Australia,

*stop all imports from China and support a made local and buy in Australia program,

*suspend all Government to Government support programs for a critical review.

Given the significant impacts to Australia due to the likely negligence of the CPC in its response to COVID-19, amend legislation (if needed) to seize some or all assets in Australia owned by China as restitution.

Australians despise bullying behavior, we the Australian people, express our solidarity and have our Governments back in implementing the above (or more) if and as required.

Stay Strong....

From 420 citizens (EN1523)

Corruption

Royal Commision into political corruption and conflicts of interest.

I request the House acts on behalf of the citizens of Australia to Investigate and addresses these crimes in Australian politics and surrounding Australian politicians In House Corruption, Sex crimes, Conflicts of Interest, Economic espionage, racketeering, false infection data claims cvod19 and legal corruption including passing new laws without the people of Australias consent.

We therefore ask the House to conduct a public Royal Commision to assure the Australian Public that the politicians of Australia are agianst corruption as well.

From 214 citizens (EN1524)

COVID-19

A public inquiry into the Corona Virus

China has not cooperated with any measures to investigate and resolve this pandemic, from denying the WHO entry to assess the state of China, to now threatening to halt all Chinese tourism, and Australian Wine and Beef importation, in a bid of economic coercion as Australia pushes for an independent inquiry into Covid-19.

In an interview with the Australian Financial Review, the Chinese Ambassador Jingye Cheng said "Maybe also the ordinary people will say why should we drink Australian wine or to eat Australian beef?". Comments such as these, in conjunction to mass Chinese propaganda suggesting Australia is similar to 'gum' on the shoes of China highlights the vindictive nature and lack of cooperation of the Chinese government during this global pandemic.

We as a nation need to remain sovereign and not bow to the demands of another Nation especially if they are threatening us. This is Australia and we should push for what is right, in these challenging times we need transparency, clarity, and cooperation.

We therefore ask the House to to work to its fullest abilities to pursue this inquiry and not bow to the threats of the Chinese Government. Australia is a sovereign nation and we ask the house to help Australia remain so, regardless of the economic backlash the people of Australia will remain strong and we ask the house to remain so too and continue pushing for an independent inquiry into the handling and origins of Covid-19.

From 57 citizens (EN1525)

Fossil Fuels

Seek ICC advice on criminality of expanding fossil fuel production

The UN Production Gap report (November 2019) warns that planned fossil fuel production to 2030 will lead to CO2 emissions being 2.2 times levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 deg C. The largest production gap is for coal, with planned production to 2030 being 3.8 times that consistent with 1.5 deg C pathways. Australia is ignoring this science. Instead of immediately banning new fossil fuel projects and exploration, these activities are still being subsidised to expand production.

Any policy that expands fossil fuel production is opposite to that demanded by the science in the Production Gap report. All countries' production gaps must be closed to avoid locking in future levels of fossil fuel usage that scientists know would lead to catastrophic global warming exceeding 3 deg C. To close these gaps, production must decrease. Banning the expansion of production will be a small step in the right direction, and will prevent Australia (the world's largest coal exporter) from unnecessarily jeopardising humanity's last chance to limit global warming to 1.5 deg C.

The UN Production Gap report provides the scientific grounds on which to argue that policies or decisions that expand a country's fossil fuel production are immoral. The petitioners assert that Australia's current policy to expand fossil fuel production is anti-science and omnicidal.

We therefore ask the House to seek advice from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on whether expanding fossil fuel production could be an act of genocide or a crime against humanity.

From 2955 citizens (EN1526)

Vaccination

Stop coercion of Australians to be medicated with Influenza Vaccinations

A directive issued by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 18th 2020 based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) instructed all states and territories to enforce all residential aged care workers, visitors, and contractors to be injected with the Influenza Vaccination from May 1, or lose employment, visitation with loved ones, and the ability for contractors to work on the premises.

The considerable risk of using these vaccinations due to the serious and often deadly side effects listed on the Manufacturer Information Sheets leaves this directive in breach of national and international law. As listed on the Manufacturer Information Sheets, this medication has not been tested for the potential to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and fertility impairment. These severe health issues are on the rise in Australia alongside our ever increasing use of this medical product; and with the lack of double blind, placebo controlled safety testing for the Influenza Vaccinations in question, we believe this group of people is being coerced to take part in a medical experiment.

Article 7 of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 states: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation."

We therefore ask the House to remove all federal directives which mandate medication with the Influenza Vaccination in order to maintain employment, visitation of loved ones, and contractor visits to Residential Aged Care Facilities.

From 21164 citizens (EN1528)

COVID-19: Taxation

Tax exemption for essential workers.

The essential workers of Australia played a massive role in fighting against the COVID-19. People who are working in industries like deliveries, transport, security, cleaning, hospitality, telecom, grocery store, fuel stations, doctors, pharmacy, nurses, paramedics, police, and every single person that were classified as essential are doing their best to keep moving Australia.

These are the real heroes without honors during the period of the pandemic. They put themselves and their families at risk to keep Australia safe. It is unethical for the Government to collect taxes on their incredible work during the unprecedented time.

We therefore ask the House to consider a tax exemption in order to recognize the efforts of essential workers.

From 51 citizens (EN1529)

COVID-19

End the COVID-19 lockdowns

The ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns are devastating Australia's economy and destroying our society.

As data has been collected in other countries, it has become evident that the virus has vastly different fatality rates depending on whether the patient has underlying health conditions. Specifically, for people without underlying health conditions, the virus is several orders of magnitude less dangerous.

For example, as of 2/5/2020, in New York City there have been 10,128 COVID-19 related deaths involving patients who were confirmed to have underlying health conditions. However the number of deaths involving patients confirmed to have no underlying health conditions is 81.

Based on this information, the current policy of a blanket lockdown on all Australians is completely inappropriate.

We therefore ask the House to lift all COVID-19 related restrictions on businesses and individuals in Australia.

Spend the resultant saving of $4 billion per week (or as much as is required) on protecting members of society who have underlying health conditions.

The exact nature of the protective measures should be determined by experts, but several possibilities should be explored, including:

- Provision of contactless delivery to all vulnerable people.

- Caregivers to live on site where possible.

- Bans on non-essential visitors to vulnerable people.

- Mandatory use of the 15 minute COVID-19 test for any unavoidable visits.

The development of the protective measures must be given the highest priority, and completed as quickly as possible.

The lockdowns should be lifted immediately after these measures are in place.

From 208 citizens (EN1530)

Vaccination

Disciplinary Action for Employers Coercing Employees into taking Influenza Vaccinations

The basic human right to decide what pharmaceutical products the population of Australia wishes to use or not use is being violated by employers from many different sectors including department stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, childcare centres, and health care related services.

These employers are issuing unlawful requirements for all employees to receive an Influenza Vaccination to gain, or maintain employment

More than ever, people are extremely fearful of losing their income in the current economic environment and thus, are being coerced into taking this medication in breach of true informed consent as detailed in The Australian Immunisation Handbook. This states that valid informed consent must be gained prior to a vaccination being administered, and "must be given voluntarily in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or manipulation."

Serious side effects listed on the manufacturer information sheets include nervous system, immune system, and blood disorders such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Encephalomyelitis, Anaphylactic Shock, and Thrombocytopenia.

Colloquially, these are called 'one in a million' side effects, however, even when tested against a control group being administered another vaccine (rather than a true inert saline placebo) the likelihood of experiencing a 'rare' side effect, (according to the information sheet for FLUARIX TETRA) actually starts at just 1 in 1000.

We therefore ask the House to immediately launch an investigation leading to disciplinary action for employers wrongfully and unlawfully pressuring their employees into being receiving the Influenza Vaccination, any vaccination, medication, or medical procedure in exchange for maintaining or establishing employment.

From 11846 citizens (EN1531)

COVID-19

Introducing COVID Monitored Home Quarantine

In implementing monitored home quarantine for Australians and their families traveling from Hong Kong to Australia, we hope to reunite families who remain separated.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many spouses/partners have returned home to care for family members including elderly parents and children who have lost jobs, been sent home from university college and boarding schools.

Many now wish to be reunited with partners who have had to remain in Hong Kong for work. Given the limited annual leave, spending two weeks in a hotel is not an option. Apart from the emotional distress associated with solitary confinement, this would leave virtually no time to spend with the family after quarantine. Nor, if we were to go to HK, do we feel comfortable subjecting children to hotel quarantine upon their return to Australia when it comes time to start university, work or school.

We are proud how Hong Kong has controlled the virus through a combination of testing upon arrival and monitored home quarantine using tracing technology. There have been zero local cases in the past 17 days. We believe the same could be achieved in Australia.

To reiterate we are not requesting free movement, but to simply move away from quarantine in solitary confinement in a hotel and towards monitored quarantine at home.

We therefore ask the House to help reunite expat families by introducing monitored home quarantine for Australian citizens and family members traveling from Hong Kong to Australia.

From 647 citizens (EN1532)

Corruption

Establish a Federal Integrity Commission that upholds the Beechworth Principles and restores trust

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House: In Beechworth in 1853, miners gathered to herald the beginning of a democratic revolution. They sought to reform the broken and imperfect institutions of their country. They called for those institutions to be accountable to the people they represented, to act solely in the public interest, and to be condemned when they failed to do so. The actions of those people changed Australian democracy forever. Now, at a time when faith in our institutions has never been lower and Australians are losing belief in the ability of politics to improve their lives, we invoke the spirit of these early democrats for another great reform – to establish a Federal Integrity Commission, with broad jurisdiction, common rules, appropriate investigative powers, fair public hearings and that is accountable to the people.

We therefore ask the House to: Support the passage of a Bill establishing a Federal Integrity Commission that upholds the Beechworth Principles:

Broad jurisdiction: Everyone involved in Federal public service must be subject to independent scrutiny.

Common rules: All persons must be held to a single standard of behaviour.

Appropriate powers: The Commission must be empowered to fulfil its purpose.

Fair hearings: Investigations should be conducted openly when in the public interest.

Accountability to the people: The Commission must remain accountable to public, not political interests.

From 1147 citizens (PN0477)

Petitions received.

Voting Age

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your letter dated 25 November 2019, referring petition number EN1078 to Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities, and Electoral Matters. As the Minister responsible for electoral policy, the matter has been referred to me for response. The petition requested that the voting age be lowered to 16 years of age.

It is important that the right to vote applies from an appropriate age, to ensure that electors can adequately understand parliamentary representation, enrolment and the electoral process. The Government provides funding for a range of educational programs and resources to help young Australians build their understanding of how Australia's system of government works.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 provides that persons aged 16 years and over may enrol provisionally, ahead of becoming eligible to vote when they are 18 years of age. This is an important way of encouraging young people to start thinking about their future rights and responsibilities as voters, before they become qualified to vote at the right age. Young people who have an early interest in politics can begin to participate in public debates in various ways including by making submissions to parliamentary committees or by writing to members of Parliament. The Government has no plans to change the voting age to 16 and would not consider the change the petitioners are suggesting.

I have copied this letter to the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters, Senator the Hon Zed Seselja.

Kind regards

from the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann

Vocational Education and Training

Dear Chair

I write to you concerning Petition EN1129 in relation to the regulatory strategies. policies and activities of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

The Australian Government is committed to a quality vocational education and training (VET) system underpinned by a trusted, respected and independent regulator that takes appropriate regulatory action to protect students and uphold the integrity and reputation of the system.

On 30 October 2019, I announced $18.1 million towards a program of reforms to enhance ASQA's engagement with the VET sector and ensure its regulatory approach is fair, transparent and effective. The reforms respond to key recommendations from the 2019 Expert Review of Australia's VET System (the Joyce Review) and the 2018 review of the National VET Regulator Act 2011 (the Braithwaite Review).

The reforms include expanding ASQA's role to ensure a broader focus on supporting training providers to understand their compliance requirements, ensuring ASQA's regulatory approach is focused on student outcomes, improving the transparency and consistency of regulatory decisions, and improving ASQA's use and collection of data to help identify and remove poor quality providers from the system. The Government recently passed the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Act 2020 as the first step towards these reforms.

I also announced a rapid review of ASQA's regulatory practices, governance and culture which will be completed in March 2020. The review is evaluating the effectiveness of ASQA's internal regulatory policies and practices, including how ASQA undertakes audits, and how it makes and reviews regulatory decisions. It is also considering how ASQA's regulatory approach fits within the broader context of the VET Quality Framework and identifying potential areas for change to drive improvements across the sector, as well as evaluating ASQA's governance to ensure it is aligned with best practice regulation. Stakeholders have been engaged with the process and have provided feedback on ASQA's regulatory practices directly to the regulatory expert undertaking the review.

In response to initial review findings, I have introduced further legislative amendments to the National VET Regulator (NVETR) Act 2011 into Parliament to give effect to a new governance model for ASQA. This new model revises the current governance model from a three commissioner structure to a single agency head (Chief Executive Officer) supported by additional Senior Executive Service staff and an expert advisory council. This new structure will provide ASQA with more effective and fit-for-purpose governance, including through clearer roles and responsibilities and access to expert advice, to better support effective decision-making and improve accountability. It will ensure ASQA is well positioned to address existing challenges and respond to future reform.

The findings of the review will inform a program of ongoing reform to support ASQA's continued evolution as a modern and effective regulator. It will ensure ASQA has the capability and capacity it needs to be a strong independent regulator focused on ensuring high quality student outcomes, while expanding its focus to support and foster excellence across the VET sector more broadly.

As the issues raised by the petition will be addressed through this reform agenda, I do not believe there is the need for a Standing Committee to initiate a formal inquiry at this time.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this petition.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash

Bill of Rights

Dear Committee

I refer to correspondence from the former Chair of the Committee, Mr Llew O'Brien, sent by email on 11 February 2020 regarding petition number EN1140, which requests 'the House to vote on a Bill of rights to be introduced into the Constitution' and refers to the importance of freedom of speech as a reason for the action proposed.

Australia affords people the freedom to express their opinions through peaceful and constructive means and encourages all individuals and organisations to engage with our democratic processes and to make a positive contribution to public debate.

The Australian Constitution contains an implied guarantee of freedom of communication in relation to political matters, which the High Court has determined is essential to the proper functioning of Australia's system of democratic and representative government. This freedom can be limited only by laws which are reasonably appropriate and adapted to serving a legitimate end or overriding public purpose, such as the protection of the community from dangers provoked by material promoting violence.

The rights to freedom of expression and freedom of political communication are fundamental human rights that are enjoyed by all Australians, and all people who are in Australia. However, these rights are subject to limitations that are reasonable and necessary in a free and democratic society to achieve an appropriate balance between freedom of expression and the protection of groups and individuals from offensive or harmful behaviour.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that freedom of speech within Australia continues to be protected and promoted. The Government considers that existing mechanisms to protect and promote human rights, including freedom of speech, are appropriate. On this basis, the Government does not propose to introduce a charter or bill of rights at the federal level by way of new legislation or constitutional reform.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Energy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

On 12 February 2020, Mr Llew O'Brien MP, former Chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions, wrote concerning petitions EN1146 and EN1147. The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, referred petition EN1148 to me as the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.

The Commonwealth Government recognises that there are members of the population who are sensitive to light. Visual discomfort may result from the design of a lighting installation through the placement of light fixtures, illuminance levels, uniformity and glare, as well as through the qualities of the products installed. Potential health implications are considered prior to and following the introduction of any lighting regulations, including drawing on

international research and expertise in the field.

Some models of tungsten incandescent lighting were phased out under state-based energy efficiency legislation and the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012. While these products are prohibited from being sold or offered for supply within Australia, individuals are permitted to import phased out light bulbs directly for personal use.

Minimum standards for quality parameters are already in place for compact fluorescent and halogen light bulbs and are planned for LEDs, including standards to minimise flicker. Energy efficient lighting, such as LEDs, is available that provides different brightness (lumen) levels and warm diffused light, similar to incandescent lighting. Most standard LED lighting emits no or minimal levels of UV light.

The Government does not have the regulatory power to specify lighting technology in public buildings. Most public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, are the responsibility of state and territory governments.

Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Cancer

Dear Mr O'Brien

I refer to your letter of 11 February 2020 concerning Petition No. EN1154 to request increase access and Government investment to support Australian participation in international clinical trials and treatments for paediatric neuroblastoma.

The Australian Government provides financial assistance through the Medical Treatment Overseas Program (MTOP) to eligible Australians and permanent residents with life-threatening medical conditions to travel overseas for treatment, where effective medical treatment is not available in Australia. The MTOP is the only financial support for overseas medical treatment offered by the Government. To establish eligibility for financial assistance under the MTOP the following four criteria are used:

A. that the proposed life-saving treatment or an effective alternative treatment is not available in Australia in time to benefit the applicant;

B. that the treatment is significantly life extending and potentially curative;

C. that there is a real prospect of success for the applicant; and

D. that the treatment is accepted by the Australian medical profession as a standard form of treatment for the applicant's condition.

In the MTOP Guidelines, under Administrative Eligibility, applicants do not qualify for an assessment where the application is for participation in a clinical trial or to receive experimental treatment. Generally, the results of clinical trials are published in reputable medical journals before the medical profession in Australia accepts a new treatment as a standard form of treatment. This is because the publication process involves peer review by relevant experts to assess the quality and validity of the clinical trials and their suggested results. It would be difficult for the Government to ensure financial assistance is being provided for life-extending, safe, effective treatment in the absence of proven medical evidence.

Clinical trials conducted internationally are also not subject to Australian regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks as they could present significant risks for individuals. Therefore, the Government does not support funding individuals to access such trials.

The MTOP is an important element of the Government's support for patients with cancer. It acts as a back-stop to the cancer treatment available either through public hospitals or through the support provided for private treatment in the form of Medicare rebates. Some of the most common treatments currently supported through the MTOP are Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy for adults with relapsed or recurrent Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, and Proton Beam Radiotherapy for rare cancers.

The Government also recognises that health and medical research improves and saves lives and is committed to supporting and encouraging the conduct of trials in Australia. Through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the Government has committed over $1.2 million for research into neuroblastoma, with the aim of ensuring that every Australian child has access to the world's best childhood cancer treatments. The Government has committed $614 million under the Clinical Trials Activity, with a significant proportion allocated to research focused on rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet medical needs. Recent grant opportunities include $20 million into neurological disorders, $5 million into childhood brain cancer and $15 million to address significant gaps in current research and/or knowledge in rare cancers, rare diseases and areas of unmet medical need.

The MRFF is also encouraging international collaborations to bring the most cutting edge technology and treatments to Australia to benefit Australian patients. Funding of $117.6 million over ten years is being provided to support international clinical trial collaborations to increase Australian leadership of, and participation in, high quality international collaborative investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Since 2013, Cancer Australia and its funding partners have supported six grants with a specific focus on neuroblastoma in children through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme and the $4.4 million Investing in medical research — fighting childhood cancer measure. Through the Support for Cancer Clinical Trials program, Cancer Australia also provides support to Australia's Multi-site Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Groups to develop industry-independent cancer clinical trial protocols. This includes $3.87 million to the Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology Oncology Group (ANZCHOG) to support the development of cancer clinical trial protocols trials in children, and develop new cancer clinical trial protocols for childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma. ANZCHOG has been involved in the development of six industry-independent trials in neuroblastoma.

The Government shares the desire for affordable treatments for high risk paediatric neuroblastoma patients to become available in Australia, however we must also ensure that all Australians have access to the most effective and safe medical treatments. Generally, medicines imported into, supplied in, and exported from Australia must be supported by scientific data to support the quality, safety and efficacy of the product for its intended use(s) before they are included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which is administered in my Department by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

To facilitate earlier access to potentially life-saving treatments, the Government has implemented two fast track approval pathways: provisional approval (approval based on promising early clinical data) and priority review (faster evaluation). Further information is available at: www.tga.gov.au/hubs/fast-track-approvals. In addition, to specifically encourage applications for breakthrough treatments of rare conditions, there is an existing mechanism that can allow waiving of application and evaluation fees (orphan designation).

The TGA has a responsibility to encourage the use of medicines which have been approved in Australia and included in the ARTG. However, there may be times when approved and available products may not meet the needs of all patients. In recognition of this, there are existing provisions that allow doctors to access experimental treatments that are not registered (also known as 'unapproved') in Australia. These include the Special Access Scheme , Authorised Prescriber scheme, Personal Importation scheme and Clinical Trials Notification/Exemption schemes. Unapproved medicines that have not been evaluated by the TGA can carry significant risks. It is therefore the responsibility of the treating medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of seeking access to unapproved treatments. Further information is available at: www.tga.gov.au/accessing-unapproved-products, by phone on 1800 020 653 (freecall) or email: EPS@health.gov.au

Although the TGA administers schemes to facilitate access to unapproved products, the actual supply of them is a matter for the patient, the prescriber and the supplier. In addition, medicines accessed by patients through the various unapproved access pathways are not subsidised by the Commonwealth through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In some circumstances, a pharmaceutical company may be willing to supply an unapproved product at a reduced cost through a compassionate access program. However, this is at the sole discretion of the sponsor and not a decision that can be made by Government.

The Government supports a health system that is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals with high risk neuroblastoma while still taking into consideration the need to ensure that patients are receiving medicines and treatment that meet quality, safety, efficacy standards.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

Health Care

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your email of 11 February 2020, regarding support for visually impaired people (petition number EN1155).

There are a range of Government services currently provided to people with visual impairment.

Medicare supports people with a visual impairment by providing rebates for optometry consultations. Medicare does not, however, pay a benefit for the purchase of optical aids such as glasses. The provision of optical aids is a state or territory government responsibility and decisions regarding eligibility and entitlement rest with states and territories.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to individuals with a permanent and significant disability, who have a reduced functional capacity to participate fully in their community. The NDIS does not fund general vision services. However, where it is reasonable and necessary to do so, it may fund assistive technology products that assist participants who are blind or vision impaired to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do.

I would also note that people who are assessed as being permanently blind are automatically eligible for the Disability Support Pension under social security law, which is free of any income or assets testing arrangements.

The Department of Health has invested in a range of programs to address priority areas in eye health, including the National Strategic Action Plan for Macular Disease and the KeepSight Program for National Diabetes Services Scheme Registrants. The Department of Health also funds eye health peak bodies, including Vision2020.

I trust this information is of assistance to you.

from the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mr Robert

Telecommunications

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your email, dated 11 February 2020, on behalf of the Petitions Committee concerning Petition EN1157 which requests the formation of an independent scientific team to conduct studies into 5G technology and electromagnetic energy (EME).

The Morrison Government acknowledges that there is significant community interest in the risk of exposure to EME, including from mobile phone base stations. Indeed, the Government strictly regulates EME emissions in the context of telecommunications, to protect the health and safety of the public.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides independent expert advice on radiation protection and nuclear safety matters to the Government. In order to provide the best advice on the protection of the Australian public from the effects of radiation, ARPANSA undertakes its own research and reviews the relevant scientific research. This includes research and reviews of exposure to EME emissions from mobile telecommunications sources. ARPANSA also publishes the Radiation Protection Standard for Maximum Exposure Levels to Radiofrequency Fields - 3 kHz to 300 GHz ('ARPANSA Standard') which the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) adopts as part of its regulatory requirements for the telecommunications sector.

The effects of EME exposure have been the subject of extensive and rigorous scientific study around the world for many decades. ARPANSA monitors emerging research into the potential health effects of EME emissions. It also consults with the world's peak health bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), so that Australia can contribute to and benefit from the best international research and guidance on this matter. Based on the best available research, ARPANSA and leading health authorities advise that there are no known health effects from EME at levels below the ARPANSA Standard.

ICNIRP has released a review of its international guidelines, based on significant consultation and scientific review. ARPANSA advises that the level of protection provided by Australia's current standard is comparable to that provided by the new ICNIRP guidelines. However ARPANSA will be revising Australia's Standard to ensure the scientific evidence, measurements and modelling in the new ICNIRP guidelines are addressed in the Australian Standard.

The Commonwealth has funded a national grants program for EME-related research since 1997. These grants, which are currently administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), have funded domestic research into possible health effects of exposure to EME from telecommunications sources. For example, the NHMRC granted $2.5 million over five years (from April 2018) to the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR) to undertake a range of EME research projects.

ACEBR's programs include research into human neurophysiology, cellular response studies, dosimetry, and social sciences. Further information about ACEBR's research is available through its website at www.acebr.uow.edu.au. A full list of grants made under the program can be found on the NHMRC website at www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/research-priorities/electromagnetic-energy-program.

In December 2019, I announced a $9 million package over four years providing funding for more research into EME from telecommunications facilities and for more communications activities about the safety and regulation of EME. While decades of research indicates there are no known harmful effects from low levels of EME used for telecommunications, the Government recognises the need for continued vigilance and contemporary insights, particularly where emerging technologies are concerned.

I hope the information in this letter is of some help.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Freedom of Speech

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for the Committee's correspondence of 11 February 2020 regarding petition EN1160. The petition requests that the Government repeal section 45D of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

There will always be a place for peaceful protest in Australia—the right to protest and free speech are central pillars of our democratic nation. However, the right to protest does not mean an unlimited licence to disrupt people's lives and their lawful business activities.

The Prime Minister has announced that the Government is working across several portfolios to identify possible mechanisms to address this issue and protect hard working Australians in legitimate businesses from unfair financial damage. While this work is in its early stages, the Government is mindful to ensure any mechanisms considered take into account our core democratic values of freedom of speech and the right to protest.

The petition specifically requests that the Government repeal section 45D of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The Government considers that section 45D remains an important part of the suite of prohibitions on restrictive trade practices in the Act.

As the 2015 Competition Policy Review (Harper Review) noted, secondary boycotts are harmful to trading freedom and therefore harmful to competition. Where accompanied by effective enforcement, secondary boycott provisions have been shown to have a significant deterrent effect on behaviour that would otherwise compromise consumers' ability to access goods and services in a competitive market.

The Harper Review recommended that the secondary boycott provisions be maintained and that the ACCC pursue such cases with increased vigour (recommendation 36). The Government response supported this recommendation.

Thank you again for bringing this petition and the concerns raised to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Cooper, Mr Andrew

Dear Committee

I refer to recent correspondence of 11 February 2020 in relation to Petition EN1162. I trust that the information below will be of assistance.

The petition references my department's actions in relation to Mr Andrew Cooper under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (the Act). As noted in the petition, Mr Cooper, in his capacity as President of LibertyWorks Inc, was served a notice to produce documents under section 45 of the Act in October 2019.

The Act came into effect on 10 December 2018 and created the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (the scheme). The scheme is a significant new transparency measure which aims to provide the Australian public and decision-makers in government with visibility of the nature, level and extent of foreign influence on Australia's government and political process. It does this by requiring any person or entity that undertakes certain activities on behalf of a foreign principal to register under the scheme.

It is important to note that the scheme is concerned with foreign influence rather than foreign interference. All governments, including in Australia, try to influence deliberations on issues of importance to them. These activities, when conducted in an open and transparent manner, are a normal aspect of international relations and diplomacy and can contribute positively to public debate. In contrast, foreign interference refers to activities that are covert, coercive, deceptive or corrupting, and are contrary to Australia's sovereignty, values and national interests. Foreign interference is covered by offences in the Commonwealth Criminal Code and dealt with by ASIO and the AFP, and is not the focus of the scheme.

The scheme does not operate as a blacklist and does not prevent people from participating in otherwise lawful activities. Rather, the scheme operates to ensure that, where such activities are done under an arrangement with or at the request of a foreign principal, the involvement of that foreign principal is clearly and appropriately disclosed to the public and decision makers.

This is achieved through the publication of a public register containing details of registrants, their registrable activities, and associated foreign principals. The public register can be viewed at https://transparency.ag.gov.au/.

Whether a person or entity is required to register will depend on a number of factors. Broadly speaking, a person or entity is required to register if:

they undertake registrable activities or enter into a registrable arrangement

the activity is, or will be undertaken in Australia on behalf of a foreign principal

the activity is undertaken for the purpose of political or governmental influence, and

no exemptions apply.

Under the Act, registrable activities are communications activity, parliamentary lobbying, general political lobbying and disbursement activity. A foreign principal is a foreign government, a foreign political organisation, a foreign government related entity or a foreign government related individual. An activity is undertaken 'on behalf of a foreign principal if it is undertaken under any arrangement with the foreign principal.

Former Cabinet Ministers and people who have recently held senior positions in the Australian Government (such as former members of Parliament, Ambassadors and agency heads) have more extensive registration obligations. This is due to the special nature of the roles that these individuals previously held and is consistent with the recommendation of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which reviewed the proposed Bill ahead of it being passed by Parliament in 2018.

The scheme's registration obligations apply equally to any person who undertakes registrable activities on behalf of a foreign principal for the purpose of political or governmental influence irrespective of which country the foreign principal is from and regardless of the viewpoint being advanced.

Where the Attorney-General's Department becomes aware that a person or organisation may have registration obligations, the department makes contact with them to ensure they are aware of the operation of the Act and provide information which would assist them to assess their potential obligations.

To ensure that the scheme's transparency purpose is realised, the Act provides the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department a number of powers to assist with its administration. This includes powers to request information or documents relevant to the scheme.

These notices do not imply an assumption of guilt or wrongdoing. They are merely a tool to assist with clarifying whether a registration obligation may exist. A notice requesting information will only be issued after other attempts to seek information have been exhausted.

I hope that this information has been of assistance to the Committee. More detailed information about the scheme and its requirements can be found at www.ag.gov.au/transparency.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Schools

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your email of 11 February 2020 regarding petition number EN1165 requesting the Australian Government to consider mandatory first aid training for school aged children.

The teaching of first aid is addressed in the Australian Curriculum (the curriculum) under the Health and Physical Education learning area. In Years 9 and 10 this can include rehearsing CPR and first aid for use in managing situations where health and safety may be at short or long term risk. More information on the Australian Curriculum Learning Area: Health and Physical Education is available at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/health-and-physical-education.

While the Australian Government plays a national leadership role in school education, state and territory government and non-government education authorities and individual schools are responsible for the day-to-day delivery of education programs. The curriculum allows teachers and schools to have considerable flexibility in how they deliver curriculum and recognises they are best able to determine the appropriate approach for their communities.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education, Mr Tehan

Welfare and Benefits

Dear Chair

I thank the Committee for the email of 11 February 2020, sent by former Chair Llew O'Brien MP to the Hon Stuart Robert MP regarding petition number EN1167. The correspondence has been referred to me as some matters raised in the petition fall within my portfolio responsibilities.

Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act) all eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 months' unpaid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. On 5 February 2020, the Australian Government announced it will introduce legislation to amend the Fair Work Act to improve support for parents whose baby is born prematurely or develops complications following birth and requires hospitalisation and parents whose baby is stillborn or dies while on unpaid parental leave.

For parents of premature babies, or babies that experience birth-related complications that require immediate hospitalisation following birth, the proposed amendment would remove a barrier that currently prevents them from agreeing with their employer to `pause' their unpaid parental leave and return to work for the period their baby is in hospital and resume leave when their baby is discharged. This change would allow parents of babies born prematurely to have more time at home with their baby.

As you would be aware, the Government continues to make decisions in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Australia. Unfortunately this has meant that it was not possible to introduce legislation to amend the unpaid parental leave provisions in the Fair Work Act in the autumn sitting period as was originally intended. The Government remains committed to better support families dealing with traumatic situations and will introduce legislation at the earliest opportunity.

I also note that the Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme provides Parental Leave Pay for a maximum period of 18 weeks at a rate based on the national minimum wage, currently $740.60 before tax, to eligible working primary carers of a newborn or recently adopted child. Under the scheme, parents can nominate the date they would like their Parental Leave Pay to start when they lodge a claim.

Parental Leave pay can start from the day a child is born or adopted, or a later date but must be fully paid within 52 weeks from the date of birth or adoption.

I would like to thank the Miracle Babies Foundation for its valuable contribution to the Government's review of the unpaid parental leave provisions in the Fair Work Act.

Thank you again for bringing the concerns referred to in the petition to my attention. I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Strip-searching

Dear Ms Elliot

I refer to your correspondence of 11 February 2020 to the Attorney-General, the Hon Christian Porter MP, concerning petition EN1168 received in relation to strip searches conducted by police. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I am the Minister responsible for the matter you have raised.

I note that petition EN1168 raised concerns that strip search powers are being used arbitrarily against minors. At a Commonwealth level, strip searches are not routinely undertaken and are only conducted under very specific circumstances in accordance with relevant legislative provisions.

Police have the authority to conduct a strip search on arrested persons under section 3ZH of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) (the Act). There are stringent procedures that must be followed whenever a strip search is conducted. These rules are designed to ensure that any person who is being subjected to a strip search is treated with respect to minimise the associated indignity.

A strip search can only be conducted after a person has been arrested and is brought to a police station. There must be reasonable grounds to suspect that a person has in their possession a seizable item or evidential material, and that the police officer suspects it is necessary to conduct the search to recover that item. Approval to conduct a strip search must be granted by a superintendent or higher.

Section 3ZI of the Act includes the requirement for the search to be conducted inprivacy, by a member of the same sex and out of view of a person of the opposite sex, or any person whose presence is not necessary for the purposes of the search.

Further, if the person being searched is at least 10 years of age, but under 18 years, or is incapable of managing his or her affairs, the search:

may only be conducted if the person has been arrested and charged or if a court orders that it be conducted; and

must be conducted in the presence of a parent or guardian of the person being searched or, if that is not acceptable to the person, in the presence of another person (other than a police officer) who is capable of representing the interests of the person and who, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, is acceptable to the person.

There are no provisions authorising a police officer to conduct an internal body search.

I also note the concerns outlined in petition EN1168 have also arisen in relation to state police undertaking strip searches. However, issues concerning the operations and conduct of state police forces are the responsibility of the relevant state government and authorities. These issues would be more appropriately directed to state police ministers for consideration.

Some states are already considering these powers, such as the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), who are currently undertaking an inquiry into the practices of NSW Police in relation to the conduct of strip searches. The LECC published an interim report in February 2020.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1168 to the Australian Government's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

Tobacco Industry

Dear Mr O'Brien

I refer to your letter of 11 February 2020 concerning petition number EN1170.

The Australian Government is taking a precautionary approach to e-cigarettes and continues to monitor emerging evidence about the direct harms they pose to human health, their impact on smoking initiation and cessation, uptake among youth, and dual use with conventional tobacco products. The Government's position is based on the need to consider overall the impacts that e-cigarettes pose to population health, including on non-smokers and smokers.

Recent reports have highlighted alarming trends in youth e-cigarette use in some countries, such as the United States and Canada, where e-cigarettes containing nicotine are widely marketed and accessible. Increasing evidence linking their marketing and use to nicotine addiction, lung disease and smoking uptake among youth are particularly troubling and reflect the Government's stance on e-cigarettes.

On 13 September 2019, the Commonwealth Government Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and state and territory Chief Health Officers (CHOs) issued a statement following an outbreak of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use in the United States. As of 18 February 2020, 2807 cases of lung disease and 68 confirmed deaths have been reported to United States health authorities. This outbreak is still being investigated by United States health authorities and the Government will continue to monitor the situation. The CMO and CHOs' statement is available at: www.health.gov.au using the search term 'e-cigarettes'.

The Government's approach to e-cigarettes also recognises the current state of evidence regarding their utility as an aid to smoking cessation. At a population level, there continues to be insufficient evidence to promote the use of these products for smoking cessation. Unlike any e-cigarette product, all smoking cessation products lawfully available for sale in Australia have been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for safety and efficacy and have been registered with the TGA. There are no restrictions on who might apply to the TGA to market a smoking cessation product in Australia. However, no e-cigarettes have been approved by the TGA for smoking cessation.

Currently, nicotine for use in e-cigarettes cannot be lawfully sold in Australia. The sale of nicotine for use in e-cigarettes would require an amendment to the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (Poisons Standard). The Poisons Standard is a record of decisions regarding the classification of medicines and chemicals into Schedules for inclusion in relevant legislation of the states and territories. There is a clearly defined process for amendments to the Poisons Standard to be considered and it is important to note this process is independent from Government. Under this process, anyone may make an application to schedule or reschedule a substance.

Although nicotine for use in e-cigarettes is not currently available for sale in Australia, it may be lawful for people to import nicotine for personal therapeutic use in e-cigarettes under the TGA's Personal Importation Scheme. Under this scheme, an importer must hold a written authority issued by a registered Australian medical practitioner and the possession and use of nicotine for this purpose must also be legal within the importer's state or territory.

On 25 May 2017, the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport commenced an inquiry into the use and marketing of e-cigarettes and personal vaporisers in Australia. The Inquiry's final report was published on 28 March 2018 and is available at: www.aph.gov.au. The Government is considering the Inquiry's recommendations before providing a response.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

Department of Veterans' Affairs

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I am responding to correspondence of 11 February 2020 from the former Chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions regarding petition number EN1172, relating to the recent Federal Court decision in Shafran v Repatriation Commission [2019] FCA 1833 (Shafran).

I note the petition discusses the beneficial interpretation that should be given to the legislation that underpins the veterans' support framework. Relevantly, the Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families First) Act 2019 (Veterans' Recognition Act) commenced on 31 October 2019. The Veterans' Recognition Act includes a statement requiring the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to adopt a beneficial approach when interpreting legislation and applying a fair, just and consistent approach to veterans' claims. This has been just one part of our ongoing efforts to transform the culture of DVA.

I am pleased to advise DVA is also progressing a number of procedural changes to address the decision in Shafran. These changes will bolster the opportunity for those applying to the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) to provide comments in relation to material provided under s 137 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), before this material is provided to the VRB.

It is widely acknowledged the VEA is unnecessarily complex, particularly in relation to the review provisions which were addressed by Justice Logan in Shafran. This complexity adds to differences in understanding, and at times will require judicial guidance. The fact that these issues required consideration by the Federal Court highlights that the legislation could be clearer in this area. As such, DVA will continue to consider its options in providing additional clarity to clients with particular reference to this area of the VEA.

In the meantime, if any individual considers DVA has acted contrary to the operation of s 137 of the VEA, and that this has adversely impacted consideration of their claim, we would encourage them to contact DVA directly to address this issue.

It is also worth noting that on 27 March 2018, the Australian Government requested that the Productivity Commission (PC) conduct an inquiry into the system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans and their families. This was a comprehensive inquiry conducted over 15 months, with the PC meeting with veterans, families and their communities throughout Australia. The Government released the final report 'A Better Way to Support Veterans'promptly, to hear the views of the veteran community, and encourage public dialogue and discussion. The report is over 900 pages long and makes 69 recommendations to improve the veterans' support system, a number of which focus on legislative reform.

The Government will finalise its response to the report in conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into transition from the Australian Defence Force, and the Veterans' Advocacy and Support Scoping Study, which have also considered the best ways to support veterans and their families.

Thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Mr Chester

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 10 February 2020 concerning petition number EN1181 regarding single-use plastic bags.

Single-use plastic bags are one of our biggest litter problems. The Morrison Government recognises the importance of Australia's environmental sustainability, and both the challenges and opportunities in front of us when it comes to plastics and waste more broadly. That is why our Government is strongly committed to reducing waste, increasing recycling and making sure that we can manage our waste and recycling here in Australia.

To support these aims, the Government has committed $167 million to our Australian Recycling Investment Plan. This Plan includes $100 million, to be delivered through the CEFC, to support the manufacturing of products containing recycled materials, $20 million to identify new and innovative solutions to plastic recycling and waste, more than $11 million for community campaigns to clean up plastic waste from our beaches and rivers, and $16 million toward a Pacific Ocean Litter Project to work with our Pacific neighbours to reduce plastics and other waste in our oceans.

Last year, Australia's environment ministers agreed to the ambitious yet reasonable target of making 100 per cent of Australian packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 or earlier. In September 2019, the Government endorsed industry-led targets to better manage Australia's packaging waste which will see by 2025: 70 per cent of Australia's plastic packaging being recycled or composted; 30 per cent average recycled content included across all packaging, and phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through design, innovation or the introduction of alternatives.

In support of this, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and its members are delivering an extensive program of work to drive the delivery of the 2025 National Packaging Targets and Australian governments continue to work alongside APCO to support industry actions. Earlier this month, I launched the new strategic framework outlining how Australia will deliver the 2025 National Packaging Targets with APCO. You can read Our Packaging Future here: packagingcovenant.org.au/news/our-packaging-future-report-launches-to-outline-critical-steps-required-to-deliver-australias-2025-national-packaging-targets

You may also be interested to know that the Government is supporting efforts to reform the labelling of plastic recyclables through the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) initiative, which will make it easier for consumers to determine what can and cannot be recycled. The ARL provides clear, consistent on-pack recycling information about how to correctly dispose of every part of a product's packaging - for example, what goes in the recycling bin, what goes in the rubbish bin, and what can be returned to store for soft plastic recycling. The ARL aims to remove confusion and educate consumers while reducing contamination in the recycling system, and it has already started to appear on a number of products, including packaging by Australia Post, Nestle, Woolworths, and Coles amongst others. The information on the ARL, designed with the support of industry associations such as Planet Ark and APCO, are part of an education and awareness campaign which will be rolled out encouraging consumers to look for the label as it appears increasingly on products in stores.

Coles and Woolworths supermarkets have also responded to the challenge posed by plastic bag waste by banning single-use plastic shopping bags in all their stores. Customers can now buy reusable bags that are mostly made from recycled plastic. Once these bags can no longer be used, they can be recycled through the soft plastic REDcycle bins that can be found in all Coles and Woolworths stores.

To help reduce the volume of single-use plastic bags in circulation and subsequently discarded, the majority of Australia's state and territory governments have banned single-use plastic bags. The Australian Government will continue to work with state and territory governments, and businesses to support these useful initiatives.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Mr Evans

Northern Territory

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 11 February 2020 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, regarding the Northern Territory (NT) Statehood petition (EN 1188). Your email was forwarded to me as I am the Minister responsible for the matter you raised.

The issue of NT statehood is a matter for the NT Government to progress. Since confirming its in-principle support in 2015, the Australian Government remains prepared to consider a proposal by the NT Government on Statehood.

To progress, the NT Government would need to submit a detailed proposal to the Australian Government for consideration. As a minimum, any proposal from the NT Government should have majority support from residents of the NT.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention and I trust this is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Mrs Marino

Drought

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your letter of 11 February 2020 to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, regarding the creation of a new city state in north-west Victoria (petition EN1190). Your letter was forwarded to me as I am the minister responsible for the matters you raised.

The Australian Government is focused on connecting regional centres to capital cities with faster and more reliable passenger rail services, while ensuring options to future proof high­speed rail corridors are considered. In the lead up to the 2019-20 Budget, the Government announced a 20-Year Faster Rail Plan (the Plan) to better align population growth with long term infrastructure investment.

As a first step towards this Plan, the Government invested $20 million in faster rail business cases for Sydney to Newcastle, Melbourne to Greater Shepparton, and Brisbane to the regions of Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast. These business cases have now been completed and are informing the Government's faster rail investment strategy.

The Government has also committed $2 billion to help deliver faster rail between Melbourne and Geelong - a nationally significant commuter corridor. The Government is investing in additional business cases for faster rail corridors between Sydney and Bomaderry; Sydney and Parkes (via Bathurst and Orange); Melbourne and Traralgon; Melbourne and Albury-Wodonga; and Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

To ensure we can deliver better connectivity to our regions and cities, the Government established the National Faster Rail Agency (the Agency) on 1 July 2019. The Agency is working in close partnership with state and territory governments and the private sector to deliver the Plan.

In relation to the establishment of new cities in regional Victoria, the Consolidated Land and Rail Australia (CLARA) business case investigated building two SMART cities between Melbourne and Greater Shepparton in response to Melbourne's expanding population and transport congestion. These cities would be connected by high-speed rail which would significantly reduce travel times and enhance employment and housing opportunities.

The Government is also getting on with the job of building new water infrastructure to meet regional Australia's needs by providing $3.5 billion through the $1.5 billion National Water Infrastructure Development Fund (the Fund) and the $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility (the Loan Facility). These investments will help identify and build dams, weirs and pipelines that will deliver secure and affordable water for rural and regional Australia.

To date, the Government has committed nearly $1.5 billion from the Fund and Loan Facility to fund the construction of 21 water infrastructure projects with a total construction value of more than $2.6 billion. Through the Fund, the Government has committed $120.8 million to build six new water infrastructure projects and $4.4 million for 11 feasibility studies to identify and plan new water infrastructure projects in Victoria.

The National Water Grid Authority (the Authority) commenced operation on 1 October 2019 and is delivering the Government's commitment to invest $100 million into bringing world best science together to identify opportunities for enhancing water supply and reliability within Australia. In addition, the Authority is working in partnership with state and territory governments to develop a national pipeline of strategic water infrastructure initiatives to help make Australia's water supply more resilient during periods of drought.

In establishing the Authority, the Government is providing national leadership to plan for and meet the water needs of our farmers, businesses and regional communities and to secure the future prosperity of all Australians.

While the Government is not currently considering the creation of a new city state alongside a desalination pipe and high-speed rail line, the Government's policies should assure the petitioners the Government considers planning for Australia's future population to be a priority.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention and I trust this is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Mr Tudge

Parliamentary Representation

Dear Chair

I refer to the letter of 11 February 2020 from Mr Llew O'Brien MP, former Chair of the Committee, regarding petition number EN1198 concerning a proposal to re-examine all petitions relating to alleged breaches of section 44 of the Constitution, and for those cases to be put to the High Court for determination.

Whether to refer a question concerning the qualifications of a parliamentarian under section 44 of the Constitution to the High Court is a matter for the relevant House of Parliament.

A mandatory qualifications checklist for candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives was introduced by amendments of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 made by the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2019. Candidates in the 2019 general election were required to comply with the checklist. Parliamentarians' responses to the checklist are available on the internet at the following locations:

Members of the House of Representatives:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members/Qualifications

Senators:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Senators_Interests/RegisterQual46thparl

Thank you for bringing the petitioner's concerns to my attention. I hope this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Asylum Seekers

Dear Ms Elliot

I refer to your correspondence of 11 February 2020 from Mr Llew O'Brien enclosing Petition EN1202 concerning the Australian Government's regional processing and resettlement arrangements and the onshore asylum seeker caseload. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Regional processing is a key pillar of Operation Sovereign Borders and supports the Government's strong border protection policy response to maritime people smuggling. These policies have successfully stemmed the flow of illegal maritime arrivals to Australia, disrupted people smuggling activities in the region and prevented countless loss of life at sea. The success of Australia's border protection policies has enabled the Government to make a generous contribution to addressing the global humanitarian crisis by increasing Australia's Humanitarian Program annual quota to 18,750 places.

Regional processing will continue to be a mainstay in the Government's response to maritime people smuggling. The Government does not want to see the return of mass illegal maritime arrivals and needless deaths at sea. The Government therefore does not see any benefit in repealing amendments made to the Migration Act 1958 by the Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Act 2013, or the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing and Other Measures) Act 2012, which introduced the current regional processing legislative framework.

The Government is committed to supporting the Governments of Nauru and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to resolve the regional processing caseload. No refugees under regional processing arrangements in Nauru or PNG are detained in immigration detention. Refugees have permanent resettlement options and are being resettled.

The Government thanks the United States (US) for its generous agreement to resettle up to 1,250 refugees. This arrangement is progressing well and US officials continue to make decisions and effect departures. The US resettlement arrangement will provide many refugees under regional processing arrangements with a fresh start and all eligible refugees are encouraged to participate.

The Government acknowledges the offer by New Zealand (NZ) to resettle refugees in NZ, but as publicly stated, the Government is currently focused on the much larger US arrangement. The Government's position remains steadfast that no person entering Australia illegally by sea will be permanently settled in Australia.

Australia is committed to providing protection to refugees consistent with the obligations set out in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and other international human rights conventions to which it is a party. Protection visa applicants who are granted an associated bridging visa, which allows them to remain lawful in the community while their visa application is being processed, may have access to a range of services offered by the Government such as Medicare and the public health system, education for school aged children, assistance with finding employment, if they have work rights, translating and interpreting services, and if eligible, the Government's Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) Program.

The SRSS Program supports non-citizens as they engage with the Department of Home Affairs to resolve their immigration status, including people who have lodged valid Protection visas. The SRSS Program provides targeted assistance to eligible clients, such as financial assistance, accommodation, access to health care, access to education for school aged children, case worker support and case management.

The Department aims to finalise Protection visa applications as quickly as possible. However, this is a very complex process and takes some time. The Department makes contact with an applicant or authorised recipient when further information is required or when the application is finalised.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your correspondence originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition (EN1204) regarding bank lending policies.

The Government does not prescribe the conditions on which mortgages are provided, other than as stated in responsible lending laws. These are ultimately commercial decisions for banks and the Government does not have any power to intervene in these decisions.

While interest rates and fees are commercial decisions for financial institutions, the Government considers it important that their pricing practices are transparent and understood by consumers. This is why, on 14 October 2019, the Government directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to undertake an inquiry into the pricing of residential mortgage products. The ACCC will deliver a preliminary report by 30 March 2020 and a final report by 30 September 2020.

Many lenders allow purchasing a house with a smaller deposit. Sometimes this means the borrower will be charged for lenders mortgage insurance, the cost of which can be added to the home loan amount. Since different lenders have different lending criteria, it may be possible to find one that better suits a borrower's needs. Australia currently has over 100 mortgage providers including many small banks, credit unions and building societies which may offer alternative products. ASIC provides further information on credit products, including options for shopping around, at www.moneysmart.gov.au/borrowing-and-credit.

The Government has undertaken a range of measures to reduce pressure on housing affordability in Australia. This includes the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which will provide up to 10,000 guarantees per financial year to help Australians realise their goal of owning their own home, by enabling first home buyers to purchase a modest home sooner with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent.

The Government has also successfully implemented all measures announced in the Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability 2017-18 Budget package, including the First Home Super Saver Scheme which assists savers to build a deposit for a first home inside their superannuation fund by making voluntary contributions, and reducing barriers to downsizing to free up homes for younger families

I trust this information will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology, Senator Hume

Religious Freedom

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for contacting me in relation to petition number EN1224, presented to the House on 8 April 2020, which calls for the withdrawal of the Government's proposed Religious Discrimination Bill on the basis that it offends section 116 of the Constitution.

In broad terms, section 116 of the Constitution prevents the Commonwealth from passing laws establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance or prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Nor can the Commonwealth pass a law requiring a `religious test' for an office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill would protect Australians from discrimination on the basis of religious belief or activity in specified areas of public life. The term 'religious belief or activity' is defined broadly in the proposed Bill as either holding or not holding a religious belief, or engaging, not engaging or refusing to engage in lawful religious activity. As such, it would protect theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The Bill does not establish any religion, nor does it prohibit the free exercise of religion or require a 'religious test' as qualification for an office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

Thank you for raising this latter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 April 2020, concerning Petition EN1231 to appoint a Royal Commission to evaluate the underlying carbon dioxide theory of global warming.

The Australian Government (the Government) takes its primary advice on climate science from the Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. This advice aligns with information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other national and international organisations, such as the Australian Academy of Science, the World Meteorological Organization, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

These world-leading scientific organisations have found that the Earth's climate is changing, and humans are primarily responsible. This finding is informed by long-term observations of air temperatures, the heat content of the ocean, changes to glaciers, ice sheets and sea ice. The Government is integrating climate science into decision-making as a key principle of good environmental policy.

Under the Paris Agreement the Australian Government has committed to reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This national target is achievable and responsible and is part of coordinated global action to deliver a healthy environment for future generations, while keeping the Australian economy strong. We have a clear plan to meet and beat our Paris commitment through our fully funded $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package that has mapped out, to the last tonne, how to meet our 2030 target.

Thank you for this opportunity to respond to this petition.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Crime

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for contacting me in relation to petition number EN1233, presented to the House on 8 April 2020.

The petition requests that the Australian Government reform arson offences and associated penalties.

Under Australia's federal system of government, the Commonwealth, states and territories have different areas of responsibility. Each state and territory manages its own criminal justice system and related programs including policing, administration of the courts and prison systems. States and territories are generally responsible for criminal offences relating to arson.

State and territory governments are therefore responsible for enshrining maximum penalties for arson in legislation, and ensuring penalties are set sufficiently high to allow courts to impose appropriate punishments for the most serious offences. Any change to maximum penalties for arson offences would be a matter for the states and territories.

The sentencing option applied in each case is a matter for the particular court, which distinguishes between more serious and less serious cases of similar offences. To ensure the independence of the courts, which is a fundamental aspect of our constitutional system, governments cannot interfere with the courts exercising their sentencing discretion.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Transaction Fees

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning a petition on direct debit payments to businesses (petition number EN1269). Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for consumer policy.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) does not prohibit businesses from using particular pricing strategies for services such as gym memberships. Rather, the ACL requires businesses to be transparent in their pricing strategies, and therefore not mislead consumers when displaying prices for their services. This means that consumers can feel free to choose what is right for them, knowing what their options are.

Additionally, the Australian Banking Association Banking Code of Practice outlines that a bank may cancel a direct debit if it is contacted by the customer, without needing to engage with the merchant. This allows consumers to cancel direct debit payments at any time by notifying their respective financial institution.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning petition EN1291 about preventing the destruction of Australia's natural heritage and building disaster management capabilities. The Australian Government is implementing a range of measures that protect, enhance and rehabilitate our natural environment.

In October 2019, the Government announced the commencement of the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The independent review of the EPBC Act will consider all ideas put forward to ensure our national environmental law remains fit for purpose. A discussion paper was released by the independent reviewer, Professor Graeme Samuel AC, on 21 November 2019. Details about the review and how to be involved are available on the review website at www.epbcactreview.environment.gov.au.

The Australian Government is an international leader in how it is responding to biodiversity loss. Last November, I was delighted to co-launch Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 with my state and territory ministerial colleagues.

Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030, along with Australia's Nature Hub website, are a key part of our commitment to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Strategy has generated a significant amount of interest within the international community for the innovative and inclusive approach it promotes.

Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 represents a new way of doing business for Australia. The Strategy provides the opportunity to expand conversations on biodiversity conservation, recognising the important role biodiversity plays in all land and sea scapes, including in production areas and cities, and the critical links to human health.

A progress report on the Strategy is to be provided to environment ministers every two years. Publicly available progress reports will be published every four years, aligning with Australia's reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

As part of Australia's response to climate change, the Government is taking real and practical action to reduce our emissions. The Government's response to climate change includes mitigation to reduce emissions, and resilience and adaptation to prepare practically for climate change, such as supporting renewable generation technology and funding research into new technology.

The Australian Government is working closely with states and territories to assess the environmental impact of the recent bushfires, including on matters of national environmental significance such as threatened species. This involves sharing information and data on mapping the extent and severity of the fires across a range of tenure and landscapes, including the National Reserve System. Working with states and territories, we have 'boots on the ground' undertaking ground truthing exercises to verify what mapping information is telling us about the ecological impact of the fires, including what it means for species of interest.

In response to this summer's devastating bushfires, the Government has established a $2 billion recovery fund.

As part of the $2 billion recovery fund, we have announced an initial investment of $50 million for the protection and restoration of affected wildlife and habitat.

$25 million will be used to establish an emergency critical intervention fund to assist the immediate survival of affected animals and plants.

$25 million will be made available to support wildlife rescue, zoos, and conservation groups with on the ground activities.

A panel of experts, led by Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box, has been established to advise the Government on critical interventions required, and to develop a strategy to build back up animal and plant populations, ensuring their resilience into the future.

This initial investment supports the immediate work to protect wildlife, as well as plan for longer term protection and restoration of Australia's environment.

The Australian Government supports environmental science through the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), a long-term commitment to environment and climate research with funding of $145 million over the six years, from 2015-16 to 2020-21. This year the Government has committed a further $149 million in climate and environmental science targeting plastic waste, threatened species, climate systems and a range of key environmental issues.

Through NESP, six research hubs are supported, including the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub. Ecological recovery and restoration are priority areas of research for these Hubs.

The Australian Government is investing in environmental rehabilitation and resilience through a range of programs. The National Landcare Program is a nationwide effort to address problems such as loss of vegetation, soil degradation, the introduction of pest weeds and animals, changes in water quality and flows and changes in fire regimes.

This represents a billion-dollar commitment by the Government to protect and conserve Australia's water, soil, plants, animals and ecosystems, as well as support the productive and sustainable use of these valuable resources. This is a very significant investment, which is in addition but complementary to, the bushfire recovery work.

The Australian Government is also investing $100 million, over four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23, to help ensure our environment is protected for future generations, through the Environment Restoration Fund.

The Environment Restoration Fund builds on the Government's $1 billion investment, over six years from 2017-18 to 2022-23, in the National Landcare Program. The Government's investment in the Fund is helping to deliver national environmental priorities, including the protection of Matters of National Environmental Significance such as listed threatened and migratory species and ecological communities and Ramsar wetlands.

Further to the National Landcare Program and the Environment Restoration Fund, the Government is investing about $20 million this financial year through the Communities Environment Program to support a wide range of small-scale, on-ground projects that aim to conserve, protect and manage our environment.

Management of the six national parks, 58 marine parks and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are internationally regarded. The six land-based national parks are part of the National Reserve System (NRS), Australia's network of protected areas. The NRS is based on a scientific framework, it is the nation's natural safety net against our biggest environmental challenges.

The petition makes specific reference to the use of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as a fire retardant. All Australian governments, including state and territory governments, are sharing information on PFAS contamination with the aim of managing the potential impacts to environment and human health. I can confirm that the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan, version 2 (PFAS NEMP 2.0) was agreed by Heads of EPAs in October 2019. It provides nationally agreed guidance on managing legacy PFAS contamination at affected sites.

The Australian Government has in place, a number of plans that focus on the security and sustainability of our national assets and primary production sectors. For instance, the national security of our national biodiversity is recognised through Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030, referred to earlier, and the Threatened Species Strategy. Australia's Strategy for Nature recognises that high biodiversity can act as insurance against change; the more variety we maintain in nature, the greater the chance that some species will survive and adapt in the future. Maintaining high biodiversity and healthy ecosystems is the best way to build resilience, the ability to recover from the impacts of threats, pressures and disasters.

The Australian Government's Threatened Species Strategy outlines a bold new and action-based approach to protecting and recovering our nation's threatened plants and animals. The Threatened Species Strategy sets out a road map and highlights how our approach of science, action and partnership can be used to achieve the long-term goal of reversing species declines and supporting species recovery.

Plans for national security of other sectors and assets are in place and are overseen by other Ministers. For example, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction is responsible for the security of domestic and international supply chains for electricity, gas and liquid fuel.

The National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP) is a COAG Energy Council agreed package of measures to improve Australia's energy productivity by 40 per cent between 2015 and 2030. The NEPP takes a whole-of-system approach to energy policy and covers electricity, gas and transport fuels. In addition, the Government is undertaking a National Energy Security Assessment (NESA) and a Liquid Fuel Security Review to help deliver affordable and reliable energy in Australia. It will contribute to the NESA and will inform Australia's approach to return to compliance with the International Energy Agency (IEA) treaty.

On 22 April, Minister Taylor also announced the Australian Government is boosting the nation's long-term fuel security by taking advantage of dramatic falls in global oil prices and building on our historic agreement with the United States to access their Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Under the new measures, Australia will establish its first Government-owned oil reserves for domestic fuel security worth $94 million. This will include a deal with the United States to store Australian Government owned crude oil in the US SPR.

In regard to the petition's broader point about building Australia's disaster management capabilities, on 20 February, the Prime Minister announced a Royal Commission to lead an inquiry into the devastating Black Summer bushfires. The inquiry has a national focus and is looking at three key areas:

Improving natural disaster management coordination across all levels of government;

Improving Australia's preparedness, resilience, and response to natural disasters, across all levels of government;

The legal framework for the Commonwealth's involvement in responding to national emergencies and how that works with state and territory legal frameworks.

The findings from this inquiry will be considered by relevant ministers and COAG, in due course.

Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

COVID-19

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning petition EN1316 to stop COVID-19 from spreading further in Australia. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic.

The Australian Government is working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives and livelihoods.

Acting on the latest health advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Government's health authorities, the National Cabinet on 20 March 2020 moved to close Australia's borders to non-citizens, permanent residents and their families.

From Saturday 28 March 2020, the Government introduced a mandatory 14 day quarantine period in a designated facility for anybody returning from overseas. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

The Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with its medical authorities and act on the best possible advice to keep Australians safe.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1316 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

COVID-19

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning petition EN1332 to temporarily bar foreign travellers from entering Australia from, or via, Hong Kong and require citizens and permanent residents to isolate for 14 days. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic.

The Australian Government is working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives and livelihoods.

Acting on the latest health advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Government's health authorities, the National Cabinet on 20 March 2020 moved to close Australia's borders to non-citizens, permanent residents and their families.

From Saturday 28 March 2020, the Government introduced a mandatory 14 day quarantine period in a designated facility for anybody returning from overseas. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

The Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with its medical authorities and act on the best possible advice to keep Australians safe.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1332 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

Vaccination

Dear Mr O'Brien

I refer to your letter of 11 February 2020 on behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions concerning Petition PN0460 for legislation related to immunisations. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation in recognition that it is a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of many diseases in the community that can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions, or even death. However, it is not compulsory and people maintain the right to choose whether to vaccinate their children.

Regarding your request to set up an Independent Vaccine Safety Commission, the Government already has an Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV) which provides independent medical and scientific advice to myself, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on issues relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines supplied in Australia. This includes issues relating to pre-market assessment, post-market monitoring and safe use in national immunisation programs.

There is overwhelming public support for a tough stance on immunisation - parents across Australia need to be confident that their children will be safe from preventable diseases.

While parents take responsibility for decisions affecting their children, the Government recognises that if a parent chooses not to vaccinate their child against the infectious diseases, they are not only putting their child's health at risk, but also the health of everybody else's children. Therefore, the Australian Government introduced the No Jab, No Pay legislation.

While the Government appreciates the No Jab, No Pay may affect some families' financial circumstances, it has formed the view that the benefits of vaccination to the community are sufficiently important to warrant the policy.

In addition to the Government No Jab, No Pay legislation, some states have legislated immunisation requirements for attendance at childcare and preschool, known as No Jab No Play. The Australian Government Department of Education and Training is currently leading work on a national approach to No Jab, No Play legislation, in consultation with states and territories. However, in the first instance I recommend you contact the relevant state Health Minister.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

Environment

Dear Deputy Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 2 March 2020 concerning petition PN0463, seeking a ban on seismic testing off the coast of New South Wales to protect marine wildlife, the environment and the health of residents.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) is the sole environmental assessor for offshore petroleum and gas activities in Commonwealth waters, following a strategic assessment in 2014 under Part 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

NOPSEMA is Australia's independent, expert offshore regulator, providing one of the most robust regulatory regimes for offshore oil and gas in the world, with strict safety and environmental standards. In 2018, following a rigorous assessment, NOPSEMA accepted an environment plan submitted by Asset Energy to conduct a seismic survey off the NSW central coast and determined that the plan met all required acceptance criteria. The seismic survey was subject to strict controls which NOPSEMA put in place, including conducting the activity outside scientifically. recognised whale migration periods, and ensuring that trained marine mammal observers were on board the vessel.

NOPSEMA places a high priority on compliance activities and has a wide range of response options available to it, including monitoring, investigation of incidents and inspections. Further information about NOPSEMA is available at nopsema.gov.au or by calling (08) 6188 8700.

Thank you for writing on this matter. I have provided your letter and a copy of this response to the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, the Hon Keith Pitt MP, who is the Minister responsible for NOPSEMA.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Australian Constitution

Dear Deputy Chair

Thank you for your letter of 2 March 2020 regarding petition PN0466, which asks the House [of Representatives] to 'accept' a preamble that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and to legislate for this to occur in the Australian Constitution. I appreciate the time you have taken to forward this petition.

The House of Representatives cannot insert a preamble into the Australian Constitution through ordinary legislation. Section 128 of the Constitution requires that a referendum be held in order to make any change to the Constitution. To be effective, a proposed amendment of the Constitution must be approved at a national referendum by a majority of voters overall and by majorities in a majority of States (that is, in four of the six states). These requirements mean that only proposals with very widespread support succeed at a referendum.

The Government is committed to advancing a proposal for change to the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, encourages all Australians to become involved. The Australian Government is also committed to improving local and regional decision-making and considering options for a national Voice. The Government has allocated $7.3 million for the co-design of models to improve local and regional decision making and options for constitutional recognition. The Government recognises that a bipartisan process to assess the prospects of success of any proposal at a referendum will be important.

For further information on Constitutional Recognition, members of the public may wish to visit the website of the National Indigenous Australians Agency at https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/constitutional-recognition.

Thank you for bringing the petitioner's concerns to my attention. I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to Mr O'Brien's correspondence of 25 November 2019 concerning petition EN1116, on the issue of Australia's commitment to the Paris Agreement.

Australia ratified the Paris Agreement on 9 November 2016. The Liberal National Government is committed to the Agreement and to conserving and protecting our environment for future generations. Like all countries, Australia has a responsibility to play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Government is committed to doing so, while making sure we have affordable electricity and a strong economy.

It is in Australia's national interest to support an effective international response to the global issue of climate change. The Paris Agreement sets a common, multilateral platform for action by all countries. For the first time, all countries, including major developing economies, have committed to take domestic action to limit or reduce their national emissions from 2020. This moves past the previous approach under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which required only developed country Parties to adopt emissions targets.

The Paris Agreement employs a bottom-up model. Countries' targets, policies and measures are nationally determined. This approach allows each country to take the action most appropriate to their national circumstances. The Agreement's strong accountability and transparency provisions give countries mutual visibility of each other's progress and national emissions, providing assurance they are acting in concert with others.

The Paris Agreement has near-universal participation from countries. There are 189 countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement. These 189 countries represent 93 per cent of global emissions, 96 per cent of world population, 94 per cent of global GDP and 100 per cent of Australia's exports, imports and two-way trade.

Following the withdrawal of the United States (due to take effect on 4 November 2020), there will be 188 countries to the Paris Agreement, representing 81 per cent of global emissions, 91 per cent of world population, 79 per cent of global GDP, 94 per cent of Australia's exports, 86 per cent of imports, and 90 per cent of Australia's two-way trade.

Regardless of its level of participation in the Paris Agreement, the United States has stated it remains committed to emission reductions, including through the use of cleaner technologies and energy efficiency. The United States' national emissions in 2017 (the most recent year data is available) were 13 per cent lower than 2005 levels, and three per cent lower than emissions in 2015 (when the Agreement was adopted). The US remains a world leader in new investment in clean energy, investing $329.5 billion USD since 2015.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Transaction Fees

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN1130, relating to EFTPOS fees. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

There are a number of different electronic payment systems operating in Australia, including various card options. The costs to merchants associated with using individual payment systems can be passed on to the consumer by the merchant, for example, through a card surcharge. Alternatively, the merchant can absorb these costs or potentially reflect them in the prices they charge for goods and services.

The Government has taken action to improve credit card surcharging arrangements to achieve a more efficient system and fairer outcomes for consumers, merchants and system providers.

The Government's ban on excessive card surcharging ensures customers are charged no more than the amount necessary to recover the merchant's costs of acceptance. This ban came into effect for transactions with large merchants such as airlines and major hotel and ticketing agencies on 1 September 2016. The ban began to apply to all merchants from 1 September 2017.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is responsible for enforcing the ban on excessive surcharging and more information is available on the ACCC website.

I trust this information will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology, Senator Hume

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 10 February 2020 concerning petition number EN1142, regarding a change to packaging laws.

The Morrison Government is committed to reducing plastic and packaging waste by managing its impacts and increasing opportunities for recycling. We are focussed on ensuring that these opportunities are achieved through providing effective national leadership and coordination on the issues.

The current approach to manage packaging waste in Australia is through the Australian Packaging Covenant, which is underpinned by the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011. The Covenant is agreed between industry and Commonwealth, state and territory governments and administered by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). The Covenant brings industry and government together to find the best solutions for packaging efficiency and sustainability in Australia.

Last year, Australia's environment ministers agreed to the ambitious yet reasonable target of making 100 per cent of Australian packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 or earlier. In September 2019, the Government endorsed industry-led targets to better manage Australia's packaging waste which will see by 2025: 70 per cent of Australia's plastic packaging being recycled or composted; 30 per cent average recycled content included across all packaging, and phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through design, innovation or the introduction of alternatives.

In support of this, APCO and its members are delivering an extensive program of work to drive the delivery of the 2025 National Packaging Targets and Australian governments continue to work alongside APCO to support industry actions. Earlier this month, I launched the new strategic framework outlining how Australia will deliver the 2025 National Packaging Targets with APCO. You can read Our Packaging Future here: packagingcovenant.org.au/news/our-packaging-future-report-launches-to-outline-critical-steps-required-to-deliver-australias-2025-national-packaging-targets.

Australians care deeply about recycling, and they want to do it correctly. The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) has been endorsed by all Australian governments to help make recycling easier. The labelling system was developed by Planet Ark, PREP Design and APCO to help consumers better understand how to recycle packaging. APCO industry members who use the ARL have committed to the design, manufacture and use of packaging that will ensure recyclable packaging.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment also administers the Product Stewardship Act 2011, which provides a framework to effectively manage the environmental and health impacts of products. To enable greater levels of recycling across Australia, the Government has committed $20 million for a Product Stewardship Investment Fund to accelerate work on new industry-led schemes and increase recycling rates of existing and new schemes.

At their meeting in November 2019, Australian environment ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together to deliver practical environmental outcomes that address the range of challenges facing our environment. They agreed to a new plan of national action on waste and recycling, including ambitious national targets that make Australia a world leader in resource management and recovery.

On 13 March 2020 the Prime Minister and Premiers agreed to introduce a ban on the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, fulfilling the commitment they made in August 2019. The ban will be phased in, commencing with glass from 1 July 2020; tyres from 1 December 2021; mixed plastics from 1 July 2021; single resin plastics from 1 July 2022; and mixed paper from 1 July 2024.

A national response strategy was also endorsed, and this aims to drive implementation of the ban and help reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill. In line with the response strategy, governments will expand on work with industry to invest in growing the Australian recycling industry and build markets for recycled products. The response strategy can be found at: coag.gov.au/sites/default/files/communique/phasing-out-waste-exports-response-strategy.pdf. Further information on the ban can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website at: environment.gov.au/protection/waste-resource-recovery/waste-export-ban.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Mr Evans

Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your letter of 24 February 2020 concerning the petition on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the Federal Water Act 2007 (En1149).

The Australian Government does not support calls to establish a federal Royal Commission as this would divert valuable resources from the important task of implementing the Basin Plan. There have already been a number of recent reviews into various aspects of the Basin Plan. These include the review of the water for the environment special account; the inquiry by the Interim Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water resources into the water sharing arrangements in the southern Basin; and the independent review of socio-economic impacts of the Basin Plan.

In addition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's inquiry into water markets in the Basin and the Senate inquiry into multi-jurisdictional management and execution of the Basin Plan are still in progress.

The government will consider the recommendations of these reports over the coming months and work with Basin state governments to continue to improve the management of the water resources of the Basin in the interests of all Australians.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Mr Pitt

Welfare and Benefits

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your email of 11 February 2020 to the Hon Stuart Robert MP, Minister for Government Services, regarding Petition Number EN1159 - Employment Services. As this matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities as Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, your email was referred to me for reply.

The goal of the Australian Government's employment services is to support job seekers into work. Mutual Obligation arrangements recognise that as a condition of receiving taxpayer-funded income support, job seekers do everything they can to look for, and find, work. The Targeted Compliance Framework is focused at the small minority of job seekers who persistently and deliberately do not meet their requirements.

A number of protections are in place to ensure that job seekers do not face financial penalties or payment cancellation for reasons outside of their control. For example, job seekers generally would not face a financial penalty until their sixth failure without a good reason and only then if two separate assessments (by their provider and Services Australia) find the job seekers requirements appropriate for their individual circumstances, and no undisclosed barriers affected their ability to comply with their requirements.

Where a participant is affected by a suspension of payment or a financial penalty, they may apply for a review of that decision. This protects vulnerable participants ensuring that their mutual obligation requirements match their circumstances and capabilities.

Most participants in receipt of income support have mutual obligation requirements, such as attending employment service provider appointments, job interviews and undertaking activities to improve their job prospects.

Work for the Dole provides work-like experiences to help participants, who have been unemployed for 12 months or more, to gain skills, experience and confidence to move from welfare to work while giving back to the local community. Recent studies show that Work for the Dole provides improved employment outcomes for participants, reduces reliance on income support payments, and builds 'soft skills' such as the ability to work with others and self-confidence.

The Government recognises that not all participants have the same ability to look for work or participate in activities. A participant's requirements are based on their individual circumstances, including their age, their caring responsibilities and the state of the local labour market.

For this reason, a principal carer parent on an income support payment generally has part-time mutual obligation requirements and these differ to the requirements for a person receiving the Age Pension.

For example, parents can meet their requirements through paid work, study or a combination of these. Those choosing to fully meet their requirements in this way are not required to look for work or remain connected to employment services providers. Further to this, if a principal carer parent is unable to obtain suitable child care during the school holidays and if appropriate care and supervision for their children is not available or affordable then they are not required to attend Work for the Dole or other activities outside of their home.

To recognise these personal and family circumstances, payments such as the JobSeeker Payment and Parenting Payment are made to and for the individual. The Government also provides support to help relieve the pressure on families who are struggling with the costs of raising children and paying for school and childcare fees through the Family Tax Benefit and childcare support.

Overall, the Government has strong expectations that all taxpayer-funded employment services providers and Work for the Dole organisations are of a high quality and that their programs are professionally delivered. The Department has arrangements in place to assist participants in resolving any concerns and, where appropriate, may require an employment services provider to take action in relation to the issues or complaints that they raise.

It is important to note that employment services providers are required to meet minimum standards of service as agreed to in their contract with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. This includes a Service Guarantee and a unique Service Delivery Plan, which set out the expected levels of service and requirements of individual employment services providers to ensure participants receive quality and specialised assistance.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash

Visa Processing

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to correspondence of 11 February 2020 concerning Petition EN1173 regarding processing times for Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visas. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

The Department of Home Affairs acknowledges the time and resources applicants invest into their Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa applications.

Processing timeframes may be affected by a number of issues, including current application pipelines, completeness and quality of applications, and the need for integrity checking to verify claims. The majority of applications for this subclass are not lodged decision-ready, as multiple follow-ups are often required from applicants before a decision can be made, which increases processing timeframes.

The current average processing timeframe for 75 per cent of Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visas is 24 months, with 90 per cent processed in 28 months.

A person who holds a Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa, and is waiting on the outcome of their permanent visa application, can continue to live, work and study in a specified region of Australia, and travel to and from Australia as many times as they like. The Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa is valid for four years.

For migration purposes, most locations of Australia outside major cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, are classed as designated regional areas. This ensures that migrants are provided with a range of opportunities to live and work in Australia's smaller cities and regions.

The Australian Government works closely with state, territory and local governments, and local communities to attract migrants to regional areas. Skilled migrants settling in regional Australia have a diverse range of available occupations to match their experience, skills and qualifications. This assists migrants to establish themselves in the Australian labour market and settle into life in Australia.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN1173 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Wood

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 10 February 2020 concerning petition number EN1175, regarding the standing committee on petition - impact of helium balloons.

The Morrison Government takes the issue of marine debris and its impacts on the environment and wildlife very seriously. That is why we are working with the states and territories to reduce litter and other wastes, including from balloons, to reduce their impact on the environment. Australia's governments have released the National Waste Policy Action Plan and agreed to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025.

The National Plastics Summit hosted by Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, in Canberra on 2 March 2020 was the first such event ever held in Australia. The one-day forum convened a cross-sector of over 200 senior individuals from government, industry and community sectors. The Summit showcased and identified new solutions to the plastic waste challenge and will mobilise further action from governments, industry and non-government organisations. The Summit included five roundtable discussions where delegates discussed the plastic waste challenge, including a roundtable on µPlastics in our oceans and waterways' that considered ways to reduce marine plastic debris. I understand the issue of balloon debris was discussed in this session. Information and ideas discussed at the Summit will be made available online shortly at: environment.gov.au/protection/waste-resource-recovery/national-plastics-summit.

On 8 November 2019, Australia's environment ministers agreed to a new National Waste Policy Action Plan that will drive the implementation of our National Waste Policy. One of the targets in the National Action Plan is to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics, with an agreed action to develop a national plastic plan to increase recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution. The National Action Plan is available at: environment.gov.au/protection/waste-resource-recovery/publications/national-waste-policy-action-plan.

A cross-sector reference group involving government and non-government organisations, industry and business representatives will provide advice and help guide the implementation of the National Action Plan.

There are also targets and agreements in place to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, commencing on 1 July 2020; reduce total waste generated in Australia by 10 per cent per person by 2030; record an 80 per cent average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030; significantly increase the use of recycled content by governments and industry; halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030; and make comprehensive, economy-wide and timely data publicly available to support better consumer, investment and policy decisions. The Government has also supported new packaging targets that increase recycling, increase recycled content in packaging and reduce unnecessary single-use packaging.

The Government has also developed the Threat Abatement Plan for the impacts of marine debris on the vertebrate wildlife of Australia's coasts and oceans (2018). This plan prevents waste from entering the oceans and becoming marine debris. Through the Reef Trust, the Government has engaged Tangaroa Blue Foundation, working in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia, to deliver a five-year $5 million program of local actions to clean up and prevent debris from entering the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The program will also raise awareness and educate communities on the dangers of marine debris as well as preventing the flow of debris into the reef lagoons. Marine debris, such as balloons, plastic bags and bottles and discarded fishing nets, is a significant risk to reef ecosystems and wildlife, including turtles, dugongs, coral and seabirds.

I hope this background serves to demonstrate that plastic wastes including balloons is a major priority for the Morrison Government and that the Commonwealth is undertaking a comprehensive and ambitious program to address this significant national challenge in close collaboration with industry and state and territory governments.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Mr Evans

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN1207 relating to EFTPOS and withdrawal fees.

Decisions about fees charged by banks for services such as withdrawing cash are commercial decisions for individual banks. I note that many banks offer low- or no-fee account options, and the Government encourages people to shop around to find a bank that best suits their needs.

The Morrison Government is taking a range of actions to boost competition in financial services and deliver better outcomes for consumers, including the introduction of an Open Banking regime which makes it easier for customers to switch between banks.

With regard to ATM fees, ultimately it is a decision for the owner of an ATM to decide whether to charge customers to withdraw cash from that machine. It is important to remember that the majority of ATMs in Australia are not owned by banks or other financial institutions, but are instead owned and operated by businesses that rely on ATM withdrawal fees to generate revenue and pay for the upkeep of the machine. A ban on all ATM withdrawal fees would mean these businesses may cease to operate, significantly reducing Australian's access to cash withdrawal services, particularly in rural and remote areas.

However, the Government has taken action to improve credit card surcharging arrangements to achieve a more efficient system and fairer outcomes for consumers, merchants and system providers. The Government's ban on excessive card surcharging ensures customers are charged no more than the amount necessary to recover the merchant's costs of acceptance. The ban began to apply to all merchants from 1 September 2017.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology, Senator Hume

Donations to Political Parties

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 8 April 2020, referring petition number EN1211 to Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities, and Electoral Matters. As the Minister responsible for electoral policy the matter has been referred to me for response.

This petition requests legislation be passed to:

enforce the immediate disclosure of all political donations;

abolish the capability for direct donations to Members of Parliament and political parties; and

require all future political donations be made to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for disbursement to parties and independents equally.

Australians enjoy the freedom to engage in democratic discourse that is consistent with the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian Constitution. Participation in this process includes Australians financially supporting candidates and political parties of their choice through political donations.

The AEC administers an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters in accordance with legislation. This impartiality may be impacted or perceived to be impacted by any involvement of the AEC in the receipt or disbursement of public and private political donations.

If donations were directed to parties and independents equally, contrary to the intention of donors, this would induce people to run for election who lacked genuine support in the community. Moreover it could be unconstitutional as re-directing donations contrary to the intention of donors may conflict with the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian Constitution. We would never consider such a change.

The Government has a record of reform in relation to electoral political finance. In 2018, we passed the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Act 2018 which improved transparency by extending funding and disclosure requirements beyond political parties and candidates, to capture all key political actors that incur significant political expenditure, including third party campaigners.

I have copied this letter to the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters.

Kind regards

from the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann

Forestry

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 April 2020, concerning Petition EN1228 presented in the House of Representatives on the matter of reforestation of unproductive cleared land with native species.

You will be pleased to know that the Australian Government is already undertaking reforestation efforts through programs such as the 20 Million Trees Program. This program was established in 2014 with the aim to plant 20 million trees by 2020 to re-establish green corridors, urban forests and threatened ecological communities. The program is also part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy initiative, a network of Commonwealth countries who contribute to forest protection.

There have been three competitive grant rounds and three Service Provider tranche rounds funded under the Program. Competitive grants are being delivered by individuals and organisations, and large-scale tree-planting projects procured by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment are being delivered nationally by Service Providers CO2 Australia, Greening Australia and Landcare Australia.

Service Providers will deliver 14.46 million trees through 44 projects worth $37.687 million and 189 grant projects worth $24.32 million are delivering approximately 5.6 million trees under the Program.

Reforestation of unproductive cleared land with native species is a key component of the 20 Million Trees Program, with approximately 95 per cent of all 20 Million Trees projects (including 100 per cent of Service Provider projects) supporting EPBC listed threatened species and/or threatened ecological communities' habitats. In addition, Service Providers develop a Climate Adaptation Data Collection and Management Plan for each project to facilitate future research into how native tree species respond in a changing climate.

The Program is on track to plant 20 million trees by the end of 2020. As at March 2020, project reports indicate that 19.3 million trees have been established through a mix of seeding and planting of tube stock. The number of established trees is revised as reports continue to be submitted and approved, with funding recipients being required to conduct a final plant survival survey at the end of each project.

The 20 Million Trees Program was a precursor of large-scale tree-planting programs in Australia, with private enterprise now investing in similar programs. AstraZeneca's 'AZ Forest' global initiative to plant 25 million trees in Australia (50 million trees worldwide) is a good example of private enterprise investment.

All funds under the 20 Million Trees Program have been allocated to specific approved projects and no further grant funding is available. Further information about projects funded under the 20 Million Trees Program is available on the program's webpage nrm.gov.au/nationa1/20-million-trees.

Revegetation will continue as part of the 20 Million Trees Program and other Government initiatives.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Migration

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 enclosing Petition EN1232 concerning reconsideration of protection claims for the Piri family. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

Due to privacy considerations, it would not be appropriate to provide specific information about this matter, however, I am able to provide the following general information.

Assessments about whether an asylum seeker engages Australia's protection obligations are not based on broad assumptions about the safety of particular countries. Each case is assessed on the merits of the individual circumstances, and in light of the different requirements of the Refugees Convention and other international human rights treaties, to which Australia is a party.

All claims for protection made by asylum seekers in Australia are individually assessed in accordance with Australia's domestic legislation in the Migration Act 1958. These provisions are based upon Australia's interpretation of its non-refoulement obligations (obligation not to return) in the 1951 Convention relating to the status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1232 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Wood

Australian Bushfires

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 April 2020 regarding petition EN1235 concerning the procurement of firefighting robots and associated training.

Under Australia's constitutional arrangements, state and territory governments have primary responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment within their jurisdiction. This includes bushfire suppression and containment measures.

While the Australian Government supports the development of cohesive, evidence based policies, strategies, programs and technology that builds a more disaster resilient Australia, the decisions over the use of new firefighting equipment remain a state and territory consideration.

Notwithstanding, the Government acknowledges the public expectation for national leadership on these issues. In particular, the need for more coordinated and targeted action across jurisdictions and sectors to reduce disaster risks and losses, particularly in the context of the changing climate.

On 20 February 2020, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Broadly, the Royal Commission is focusing on improving Australia's preparedness, resilience and response to natural disasters across all levels of government.

Importantly, the Royal Commission will also consider the legal framework for the Commonwealth's involvement in responding to national emergencies and where actions can be taken to enhance preparedness efforts.

The outcomes from the Royal Commission will help to guide the Government's future actions, including what new measures need to be taken to prepare for, and respond to, natural hazards.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1235 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Agriculture, Drought, and Emergency Management, Mr Littleproud

Australian Bushfires

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 9 April 2020, addressed to the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, enclosing petition EN1238, which requests national recognition for firefighters and emergency services personnel involved in the recent Black Summer Bushfires. I am responding as Minister with responsibility for Australian honours policy.

The Government has acknowledged that the response to the 2019-2020 bushfire season has been unprecedented with thousands of volunteer and paid responders working around the clock, day and night, week after week to protect property and save lives.

The service of volunteer and paid responders has been extraordinary, and will be formally recognised through the National Emergency Medal.

On Australia Day the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, and I announced that the National Emergency Medal would become available to emergency service volunteers and personnel who have given sustained or significant service during the 2019-20 bushfires. In making the announcement the Prime Minister acknowledged the extraordinary commitment of these individuals.

Our brave fire, police, ambulance and emergency services volunteers and workers, along with Defence Force personnel and reservists and overseas personnel, will be eligible to receive the National Emergency Medal in recognition of their service and sacrifice during the current bushfire season.

The announcement was made after the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) agreed to a recommendation from the Government that the current bushfire crisis be declared a nationally significant emergency for the purposes of the Medal.

The National Emergency Medal is an operational service medal which recognises service in response to a nationally-significant emergency. Nationally-significant emergencies must be declared by the Governor-General under the National Emergency Medal Regulations 2011. The Governor-General's declaration will include specific eligibility criteria for the awarding of the Medal.

The detailed criteria for the National Emergency Medal will be determined in the coming months following appropriate consultation and consideration. Consultation is now underway. As part of its assessment process, the National Emergency Medal Committee will consider both the scale and community impact of the disaster, as well as the nature of the deployment and service response that was required during the emergency.

Once the declaration has been made, the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House will advise on timing for lodging applications. Once the medal is available to be issued, relevant organisations will be notified and an announcement will be made.

Service to Australia or to humanity at large may also be recognised by other awards in the Australian honours system. Appointments to, and awards in, the Order of Australia are the primary means of recognising at a national level those who make a significant contribution or provide outstanding service to Australia or humanity. In instances where bravery has been demonstrated, personnel can be nominated for Australian Bravery Decorations (Cross of Valour, Star of Courage, Bravery Medal, Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Group Bravery Citation).

There is more information about awards in the Australian honours system at: https://pmc.gpv.au/govemment/its-honour. Anyone can nominate someone for these honours on the Governor-General's website (www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/nominate-someone-award).

In addition to these awards, each of the State and Territory Emergency Services has a suite of honours available to acknowledge and award emergency services personnel. Details can be found on the individual service website.

Thank you for bringing this petition to the Government's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Mr Morton

Illicit Drugs

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your letter of 9 April 2020 regarding a petition requesting that pseudoephedrine be made a prescription-only drug (Petition Number EN1250).

By way of background, the circumstances under which medicines can be accessed by the Australian public are determined through a classification process known as 'scheduling'. Medicines and chemicals are classified into schedules, which are published in the Poisons Standard. Classification is based on the risk of harm and the level of access control required to protect public health and safety. The scheduling process is managed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is part of the Department of Health.

Anyone can make an application to amend the current Poisons Standard. The application form and information on how to lodge an application, with supporting evidence, can be found on the TGA website at: www.tga.gov.au/industry/scheduling-forms-poisons-standard-amend.htm.

My Department has previously taken steps to address the diversion of pseudoephedrine through the scheduling process. In October 2005, the decision was made to increase restrictions on supply of pseudoephedrine in order to counter diversion into the illicit drug market. This resulted in all liquid preparations containing more than 800mg of pseudoephedrine and all other preparations containing more than 720mg of pseudoephedrine moving to Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicines).

Liquid preparations containing less than 800mg of pseudoephedrine and preparations containing less than 720mg of pseudoephedrine are Schedule 3 medicines (Pharmacist Only). These products are located behind the counter in pharmacies and are only available on professional advice from the pharmacist.

The record of reasons for the scheduling decision on pseudoephedrine can be found at: www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/ndpsc-record-44.pdf.

The current scheduling aims to achieve a balance between people's legitimate need to access these medications and protecting the community from the possible diversion of pseudoephedrine into illicit substances.

It was recognised, however that pseudoephedrine has an important place in the treatment of acute rhinitis. Should pseudoephedrine be listed as Schedule 4, it would place a significant burden upon the public in terms of access to an effective medication for a condition that generally does not require a doctor's visit, but by inclusion in Schedule 3, it could only be provided by a pharmacist.

Scheduling of pseudoephedrine through the Poisons Standard is only one part of a broader approach to preventing the diversion of pseudoephedrine. The implementation and enforcement of the Poisons Standard is through relevant state and territory legislation. The states and territories can place additional restrictions on the supply of medicines and poisons. Specifically, due to its potential for misuse, jurisdictions have placed additional controls on the dispensing of products containing pseudoephedrine. In some jurisdictions, this includes requiring a pharmacist to ask for identification and make a record of the sale or supply, which can then be accessed by the jurisdiction's Department of Health and Commissioner of Police.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 April 2020 regarding Petition EN1251. I appreciatethe time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Australia has a responsibility to play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also making sure we have affordable electricity and a strong economy. Our role in the global response to climate change can go well beyond reducing our own emissions. The pathway to meaningful impacts on global emissions is through development and deployment of new technologies. The answer is not a new tax or more bureaucracy but practical change driven by science and technology. This is where Australia can have the biggest impact on reducing global emissions.

While it is not widely reported, Australia's emissions are corning down. In fact:

Australia's emissions are lower now than when the Coalition came to Government in 2013.

Australia's emissions are more than 12 per cent lower than 2005 levels (the year from which our 2030 Paris target is measured). This compares to a two per cent reduction for Canada and a four per cent increase for New Zealand, over the same period.

Looking forward, Australia's 2030 target is for a 26-28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels. On a per person basis, our target is more ambitious than the European Union, Germany, Canada, New Zealand or Japan have committed to over the same period.

The $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package maps out how we will meet our 2030 target down to the last tonne. The latest official projections show that we are on track to meet and beat our 2030 target by 16 million tonnes. Under United Nations rules, countries including Australia are able to use emissions budgets to account for their Paris Agreement targets. For example, an emission budget approach is central to how the European Union acquits its targets.

The Liberal National Government has already invested $10.4 billion into more than 670 clean energy projects with a total value of $35 billion. These projects include the largest pumped hydro scheme in the southern hemisphere, Snowy 2.0, hydrogen demonstration projects and biofuels. Our investments are supporting new jobs, reducing power prices and improving the reliability of our electricity grid while lowering emissions.

Australia is a world leader in renewable energy. Around a quarter of our electricity is sourced from renewables and this is projected to increase to more than 40 per cent in the National Electricity Market by 2025. According to Bloomberg, Australia invested $7.7 billion or $308 per person in new renewable energy projects in 2019. This places us ahead of countries like the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom on a per person basis and more than triple the per person investment of countries like Denmark, France and Germany.

The key challenge to ensuring power prices continue to come down and continued strong growth in renewable energy is to drive down the cost of storage and backup. That's why the Government has established a $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund to support investment in the new generation, energy storage and transmission needed to keep bringing power prices down and make sure the lights stay on. All of this is focused on achieving our emissions obligations while maintaining a strong economy.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

RE: Petition EN1253

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 regarding on global climate change. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

This summer's devastating bushfires have severely impacted many parts of Australia, including in my own electorate of Hume. I acknowledge the inspirational efforts of all those who have played a role in the firefighting effort, as well as those who are taking action to help families and communities recover. In response, the Liberal National Government is focussed on deploying a $2 billion recovery fund to ensure affected families, farmers and business owners get the support they need as they rebuild.

Australia has a responsibility to play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also making sure we have affordable electricity and a strong economy. While it is not widely reported, Australia's emissions are coming down. In fact:

Australia's emissions are lower now than when the Coalition came to Government in 2013.

Australia's emissions are more than 12 per cent lower than 2005 levels (the year from which our 2030 Paris target is measured). This compares to a two per cent reduction for Canada and a four per cent increase for New Zealand, over the same period.

Looking forward, Australia's 2030 target is for a 26-28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels. On a per person basis, our target is more ambitious than the European Union, Germany, Canada, New Zealand or Japan have committed to over the same period.

The $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package maps out how we will meet our 2030 target down to the last tonne. The latest official projections show that we are on track to meet and beat our 2030 target by 16 million tonnes. Under United Nations rules, countries including Australia are able to use emissions budgets to account for their Paris Agreement targets. For example, an emission budget approach is central to how the European Union acquits its targets.

But there is much more to do and our role in the global response to climate change can go well beyond reducing our own emissions. The pathway to meaningful impacts on global emissions is through development and deployment of new technologies. The answer is not a new tax or more bureaucracy but practical change driven by science and technology. This is where Australia can have the biggest impact on reducing global emissions.

The Government has already invested $10.4 billion into more than 670 clean energy projects with a total value of $35 billion. These projects include the largest pumped hydro scheme in the southern hemisphere, Snowy 2.0, hydrogen demonstration projects and biofuels. Our investments are supporting new jobs, reducing power prices and improving the reliability of our electricity grid while lowering emissions.

Australia is a world leader in renewable energy. Around a quarter of our electricity is sourced from renewables and this is projected to increase to more than 40 per cent in the National Electricity Market by 2025. According to Bloomberg, Australia invested $7.7 billion or $308 per person in new renewable energy projects in 2019. This places us ahead of countries like the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom on a per person basis and more than triple the per person investment of countries like Denmark, France and Germany.

The key challenge to ensuring power prices continue to come down and continued strong growth in renewable energy is to drive down the cost of storage and backup. That's why the Government has established a $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund to support investment in the new generation, energy storage and transmission needed to keep bringing power prices down and make sure the lights stay on.

All of this is focused on achieving our emissions obligations while maintaining a strong economy.

I trust this information is of some assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Australian Bushfires

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 April 2020 enclosing Petition EN1267 concerning bushfire mitigation strategies to protect and build a better future for all Australians. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Under Australia's constitutional arrangements, state and territory governments have responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment within their jurisdiction. It is necessary for state and territory governments to make relevant decisions affecting their areas of responsibility. This includes resources to support bushfire mitigation, suppression and containment measures.

Notwithstanding, the Australian Government acknowledges the public expectation for national leadership on these issues. In particular, the need for more coordinated and targeted action across jurisdictions and sectors to reduce disaster risks and losses, particularly in the context of changing climate.

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements that was announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, on 20 February 2020, will consider the majority of matters raised in the petition.

Broadly, the Royal Commission is focused on improving Australia's preparedness, resilience and response to natural disasters across all levels of government, and the legal framework for the Commonwealth's involvement in responding to national emergencies. This will include consideration of hazard reduction measures, ways in which the traditional land and fire management practices of Indigenous Australians could improve Australia's resilience to natural disasters, and where actions can be taken to enhance preparedness efforts.

In relation to water supply, the Government is building new water infrastructure to meet regional Australia's needs by providing $3.5 billion, of which $1.5 billion is through the National. Water Infrastructure Development Fund, and $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility. These investments will help identify and build dams, weirs and pipelines that will deliver secure and affordable water for rural and regional Australia.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN1267 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Agriculture, Drought, and Emergency Management, Mr Littleproud

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 April 2020 regarding Petition EN1270. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Australia has a responsibility to play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also making sure we have affordable electricity and a strong economy. While it is not widely reported, Australia's emissions are coming down. In fact:

Australia's emissions are lower now than when the Coalition came to Government in 2013.

Australia's emissions are more than 12 per cent lower than 2005 levels (the year from which our 2030 Paris target is measured). This compares to a two per cent reduction for Canada and a four per cent increase for New Zealand, over the same period.

Looking forward, Australia's 2030 target is for a 26-28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels. On a per person basis, our target is more ambitious than the European Union, Germany, Canada, New Zealand or Japan have committed to over the same period.

Australia has a history of overachieving on our emissions reduction targets. We beat our first Kyoto target by 128 million tonnes and are on track to beat our 2020 target by 411 million tonnes (including past overachievement). It is important that no country is penalised for beating its target - this is the basis for greater ambition. Australia will only use past overachievement to meet future domestic targets to the extent necessary and unlike some other countries Australia is not proposing to trade or sell past overachievement as credits.

The $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package maps out how we will meet our 2030 target down to the last tonne. The latest official projections show that we are on track to meet and beat our 2030 target by 16 million tonnes. Under United Nations rules, countries including Australia are able to use emissions budgets to account for their Paris Agreement targets. For example, an emission budget approach is central to how the European Union acquits its targets.

But there is much more to do and our role in the global response to climate change can go well beyond reducing our own emissions. The pathway to meaningful impacts on global emissions is through development and deployment of new technologies. The answer is not a new tax or more bureaucracy but practical change driven by science and technology. This is where Australia can have the biggest impact on reducing global emissions.

The Liberal National Government has already invested $10.4 billion into more than 670 clean energy projects with a total value of $35 billion. These projects include the largest pumped hydro scheme in the southern hemisphere, Snowy 2.0, hydrogen demonstration projects and biofuels. Our investments are supporting new jobs, reducing power prices and improving the reliability of our electricity grid while lowering emissions.

Australia is a world leader in renewable energy. Around a quarter of our electricity is sourced from renewables and this is projected to increase to more than 40 per cent in the National Electricity Market by 2025. According to Bloomberg, Australia invested $7.7 billion or $308 per person in new renewable energy projects in 2019. This places us ahead of countries like the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom on a per person basis and more than triple the per person investment of countries like Denmark, France and Germany.

The key challenge to ensuring power prices continue to come down and continued strong growth in renewable energy is to drive down the cost of storage and backup. That's why the Government has established a $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund to support investment in the new generation, energy storage and transmission needed to keep bringing power prices down and make sure the lights stay on. All of this is focused on achieving our emissions obligations while maintaining a strong economy.

The Government will soon be releasing a Technology Investment Roadmap for public consultation. The Roadmap can only succeed through partnership with other levels of government, research institutions and the private sector. Consultation on the Roadmap will inform the development of the first annual Clean Technology Statement, which will identify technology priorities and ensure the Government's investment portfolio can be refined and updated.

The Government has also committed to develop a Long-Term Emissions Reduction Strategy ahead of COP26. Australia's long-term strategy will be framed around technology pathways for key sectors, recognising that technology presents opportunities for Australian businesses to boost productivity, create jobs and remain globally competitive in a world where markets increasingly value low emissions. This will be particularly important as Australia and the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The long-term strategy will also draw from and integrate relevant work underway across government, including the Technology Investment Roadmap, National Hydrogen Strategy, Electric Vehicle Strategy and the work of the Carbon Expert Panel chaired by Mr Grant King. The Government will be consulting widely on the long-term strategy and we look forward to your ongoing engagement in this process.

I trust this information is of some assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Parliamentarians' Remuneration

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 9 April 2020 referring matters raised in petition number EN1275 for my attention. I am happy to provide the following advice in respect of the matters that fall within my portfolio responsibility.

3. Abolish the use of private secretaries

Parliamentarians engage staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984. The number of electorate officer positions allocated to each parliamentarian can vary based on the size of their electorate, noting that some electorates are larger than Sweden. The Prime Minister also allocates personal staff positions to certain parliamentarians having regard to their parliamentary duties. The classifications of these positions are detailed in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2016-2019 (the Enterprise Agreement). There is no classification of private secretary under the Enterprise Agreement, with the role and functions performed by each employee determined by their employing parliamentarian.

5. Limit electorate offices to essential requirements only

As the Minister responsible for the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (the PBR Act), I determine electorate office accommodation. Like all public resources provided to parliamentarians under the PBR Act, it is a requirement that expenditure on electorate office accommodation provides value for money to the Commonwealth.

6. Investigate politician ' s spending on ' entertainment ' costs

The PBR Act provides resources to enable parliamentarians to undertake their parliamentary business. No Commonwealth resources are provided to meet entertainment costs for parliamentarians.

My Department has referred the remaining issues raised in this petition to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for response by the Prime Minister and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service as these matters fall within their respective portfolio responsibilities.

Kind regards

from the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann

Domestic and Family Violence

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 9 April 2020, concerning petition (EN1276) female domestic violence against children.

I understand you are concerned that children are being exposed to family violence as a result of parenting orders issued by family law courts permitting violent mothers to have access to their children. The Australian Government is opposed to violence in any form and I can assure you the Family Law Act 1975 (the Act) does not contain any presumptions in relation to gender. The Act establishes the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration in parenting disputes. To reinforce this principle, the Act focuses on the rights of children and the responsibilities that each parent has towards their children, rather than on parental rights. In particular, the Act aims to ensure that children can enjoy a meaningful relationship with each of their parents, and are protected from harm.

In determining what is in the best interests of the child, the court can consider any incidence of family violence or family violence order concerning the child or a member of the child's family. The court is also required to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that any parenting order it makes is consistent with existing family violence orders, and does not expose a person to an unacceptable risk of family violence. The court may include in the order any measures that it considers necessary to ensure the safety of those affected by the order.

Under Australia's federal system of government, the criminal aspects of family violence are primarily a state and territory government responsibility. Each jurisdiction manages its own criminal justice system, including criminal laws, policing, courts and corrections. Child protection issues are also dealt with by state and territory governments. As such, your comments about fathers being unable to access help from the police, child safety and magistrates would be better directed to state and territory governments.

In Australia, at least one child is killed by a parent each fortnight (Filicide Offenders, Australian Institute of Criminology). This study also shows that just under a third of incidences (30 per cent between 2000-01 and 2011-12) were categorised by previous domestic violence incidences between the offender and their intimate partner. Proportionally, more male filicide offenders were recorded by police as having a history of domestic violence (43 per cent), compared with female offenders (16 per cent).

The Australian Government has zero tolerance for domestic, family and sexual violence, which is why a record investment of $340 million has been committed to the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan).

The National Plan acknowledges that men and boys can also be victims of family, domestic and sexual abuse and recognises that domestic and family violence can include physical, sexual, emotional, financial and psychological abuse and that any behaviour that causes the victim to live in fear is unacceptable.

The Government values the lives of men, and the Fourth Action Plan will support all victims of domestic, family and sexual violence, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or cultural background. The Commonwealth's significant contribution to the Fourth Action Plan also promotes positive male role models, including encouraging men in their role as fathers.

Based on extensive research by the World Health Organisation, Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS), and Our Watch, disrespectful attitudes towards women and gender inequality are among the main causes of family and domestic violence. This is why the Fourth Action Plan has made significant investments in primary prevention, including the Stop it at the Start and the Doing Nothing Does Harm campaigns, the Men as Male Role Models grant round, creation of the National Primary Prevention Hub, and many more. These policies and programs will help lay the foundations for generational change; a vital step towards reducing domestic and family violence across Australia.

In addition, the Government is continuing to fund the delivery of MensLine Australia, a national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns, including men who experience violence in their relationships.

Times of crisis can increase the occurrence of family and domestic violence. On 29 March 2020, the Government announced a $1.1 billion package to boost mental health services, domestic violence support, Medicare assistance for people at home, and emergency food relief. The package includes $150 million to support Australians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence due to the fallout from the Caronavirus pandemic. In addition to the record $340 million Fourth Action Plan, this $150 million will provide much needed assistance to a broad range of domestic violence counselling and support services.

If you or anyone you know are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic violence, I encourage you to contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732, www.1800respect.org.au) or Mensline 1300 789978 www.mensline.org.au

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely,

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 regarding Petition EN1277, which seeks the establishment of a federal anti-corruption commission. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition.

The Australian Government condemns corruption in all its forms. The Government is committed to ensuring our federal integrity framework is as robust as possible to maximise public confidence in our national institutions.

That is why the Government has committed to establishing a Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC) to enhance national integrity arrangements across the federal public sector.

The CIC will be an independent, centralised, specialist centre for the investigation of corruption in the public sector. In addition to its investigative functions, the CIC will also work with agencies to build resilience to corruption and bolster agency capability to detect, deter and investigate corrupt conduct. At the conclusion of an investigation, the CIC will be able to refer a criminal brief of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration and possible prosecution.

The CIC will be established as an independent statutory agency, led by a commissioner and two deputy commissioners. The CIC will have a broad jurisdiction, including over parliamentarians and their staff, departments of state, Commonwealth companies and statutory agencies. It will comprise a public sector integrity division and a law enforcement integrity division, ensuring targeted attention to corruption across the entirety of the public sector.

Through the CIC, the Government is targeting serious criminal corruption that presents a threat to good public administration. The CIC will not duplicate the roles of existing bodies, but instead it will provide an expert investigative capability to respond to allegations of serious criminal corruption across the public sector.

I note the petitioners' support for an anti-corruption body that holds proceedings in public. While the CIC must be equipped with strong powers to effectively address corruption, I am committed to ensuring that it also provides due process of law and natural justice to those who fall within the CIC's jurisdiction. For this reason, the public sector integrity division of the CIC will not be able to hold public hearings. This will promote natural justice in investigations and preserve the role of the courts as arbiters of a person's guilt or innocence.

The Government has been consulting widely to ensure that the model for the new Commission strengthens federal integrity arrangements without compromising fundamental principles of our criminal justice system.

Further information on the CIC model can be found in the consultation paper available at https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Pages/commonwealth-integrity-commission.aspx.

The Government is currently finalising draft legislation to implement the CIC, which will form the basis of further public consultation. The legislation to establish the CIC is complex. It is important that sufficient time is dedicated to drafting and consulting on the legislation to ensure the new body has both the resources and powers that it needs to investigate allegations of criminal corruption across the public sector.

The petitioners may wish to consider the draft legislation and provide comments once it is released for public consultation.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Food Labelling

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 9 April 2020 concerning Petition EN1279, which called for Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for food to be expanded to include information about the country of majority-ownership of the product's manufacturer.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of providing consumers with information about the origins of food products they buy. The 2016 CoOL reforms were designed to provide consumers with more information about the origin of food products, so that they can make purchasing decisions that align with their personal preferences. While country of majority ownership of food manufacturers was not included in the scope of the CoOL reforms, I understand this is also an area of interest for some consumers.

The Government will evaluate the effectiveness of the CoOL reforms in 2020-21. The evaluation will undertake broad consultation with both industry and consumers to consider whether the scope of Australia's CoOL requirements continue to meet their objective of improving consumer access to information about the origin of food and clarifying the origin claims businesses can make about their products, without imposing excessive costs.

This evaluation will provide consumers with a valuable opportunity to express their views on the current scope of Australia's CoOL requirements.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Ms Andrews

International Development Assistance

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 9 April 2020 regarding petition EN1280, which seeks the temporary suspension of the Australian Government's international development program to enable funding to be redirected towards domestic priorities.

These are indeed extraordinary times for Australia. Drought, the recent bushfires, and now the COVID-19 pandemic have all impacted heavily on many Australians, devastating their homes, livelihoods, health and well-being.

I assure the signatories to this petition that keeping Australia and Australians safe continues to be the Australian Government's highest priority.

In 2019-20, the Australian Government will provide $4.0 billion in official development assistance, (ODA) with over one third of this funding (approximately $1.4 billion) directed to our immediate neighbours, the Pacific. Australia's total international development program represents less than one per cent of the Federal Budget.

Australia benefits when countries are well governed and able to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth. To this end, Australia's international development program reduces poverty and increases resilience and stability in neighbouring countries, and helps address issues that could affect Australians and our national security. The deepening impacts of COVID-19 in the Indo-Pacific will pose profound challenges to Australia's economic interests. A slow or uneven regional recovery will directly affect Australia's ability to rebound and restore Australian jobs. Providing development funding supports those in need, and is in our national interest.

Health security forms an important part of our national security. In response to COVID-19, the Australian Government has adapted the international development program to ensure that critical health services in our region can continue to function, and to help these countries manage the immediate economic impacts of the pandemic. We are working across all levels of government, and with international and regional partners in our efforts, and supported by our Australian NGO partners.

As we have all witnessed in recent weeks, COVID-19 respects no borders. The health and stability of our neighbours is of critical importance to Australia. By helping them to respond to, and prepare for managing the impacts of this pandemic, we are also helping to keep Australia and Australians safe.

Australia's international development program does not take away from the assistance the Government makes available to support those in Australia affected by the recent bushfires or COVID-19 financial hardship. We have the resources to help people here in Australia as well as overseas.

I thank the signatories for drawing this important issue to the Parliament's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Blood Donation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your petition (Petition Number EN1283) concerning blood donation requirements and deferral periods, which was presented to the House of Representatives on 8 April 2020.

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood) is responsible for collecting blood donations in Australia in accordance with a Deed of Agreement with the National Blood Authority, acting on behalf of all Australian governments, and regulatory requirements determined by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Under these arrangements, Lifeblood can be required to defer donors from giving blood when there is considered to be a higher risk of infections being transmitted through blood transfusions.

Deferrals are determined on the basis of the risks assessed from available scientific and clinical evidence and information. Deferrals can apply for varying periods or indefinitely, and can be applied in a range of circumstances depending on the risk presented by the particular donor (such as their existing health status or other relevant health issues that could, for example, increase the risk of transmitting Hepatitis B or C), or a category of donors (such as those who are residents or former residents of the UK).

Deferral policies are regularly reviewed by Lifeblood. These reviews are underpinned by the most up-to-date clinical and scientific evidence to ensure Australia continues to maintain one of the safest supplies of blood in the world. As standard practice, Lifeblood also periodically establishes external committees to inform the development and review of policies.

Lifeblood has undertaken a review of current sexual activity-related deferrals, including the deferral policy relating to men who have sex with men. The review included consideration of any impact of potential changes to the donor panel, and issues relating to the sufficiency of the blood supply. The process engaged a combination of current donors, potential donors, and people who are currently deferred based on their sexual activity. It also considered any issues in relation to the processing (fractionating) of donated blood into blood products. Medical experts have considered relevant issues, including international and local evidence, to inform the usual in-depth clinical risk assessment and broader review. Lifeblood made a submission to the TGA in January 2020 proposing that the deferral period for donors with a sexual activity-based risk factor be reduced from the current 12 months to three months since the last sexual contact, for whole blood donations.

On 15 April 2020, the TGA announced its approval of this proposed change based on the evidence provided in Lifeblood's submission and advice received from the TGA's Advisory Committee on Biologicals. Further information on the TGA decision is on its website at: www.tga.gov.au/tga-approves-reduction-deferral-period-whole-blood-donors-sexual-activity-risk-factors. Lifeblood has recently made a further submission to the TGA proposing to align the deferral period for users of pre-exposure prophylaxis HIV prevention to three months.

Decisions on deferral periods (in relation to sexual activity and otherwise) involve multiple parties because there are multiple elements that inform such decisions. Following the TGA's approval, there must now be consideration by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments who make policy decisions and fund and indemnify Lifeblood's activities.

In addition to blood donor deferral periods, Lifeblood also requires donors to complete a Donor Health Questionnaire prior to each donation. This questionnaire contains a number of questions about the donor's health, including medical condition(s), travel history and personal activities. Based on the answers to these questions Lifeblood has a comprehensive eligibility framework which guides its staff on the best course of action, including the application of a deferral period if necessary.

Lifeblood uses sophisticated testing mechanisms to test each blood donation for transfusion transmitted infections, however even the most sophisticated of tests cannot reliably detect the early signs of an infection in what is referred to as the 'window period'. This is why Lifeblood screens all donors using the Donor Health Questionnaire for all relevant risks before collecting their blood. It can identify potential infectious disease including: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and human t-cell lymphotropic virus which may not be picked up by testing in its early stages and protects the patient from being passed a serious infection through the blood they receive.

The safety and wellbeing of both blood donors and recipients of blood products is foremost in any decision making.

The Australian Government would like to make it easier for all Australians to give blood, while ensuring Australia's blood and blood products continue to be as safe as possible.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning a petition presented in the House of Representatives on 8 April 2020 (petition EN1295), regarding a range of environment matters.

The Australian Government is committed to sustainable and effective management of Australia's diverse ecosystems, using a combination of the precautionary approach with adaptive management that uses science and practical experience.

On 8 November 2019, Australian, state and territory Environment Ministers endorsed a new approach to biodiversity conservation through the Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030. The Strategy is supported by a dedicated website, Australia's Nature Hub. I also draw your attention to a range of other Australian Government initiatives and programs related to the matters raised by the petitioners.

The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) is a long-term commitment by the Australian Government to environment and climate research. The Government is investing a further $149 million into the NESP to continue delivering world-class, practical, science-based measures to inform decisions, developed in partnership with local communities to sustainably manage the environment, and to better understand Australia's past, present and future climate and climate drivers.

The Australian Government is investing up to $22.65 million through the Communities Environment Program (CEP) to support a wide range of small-scale, on-ground projects that aim to conserve, protect and manage our environment. The program seeks to support community groups including those that may not be able to compete in larger and more competitive grant programs to address local environmental priorities. The program also seeks to encourage the community to connect with their local natural environment and to build and strengthen local communities.

The Government is also currently developing a National Soil Strategy in collaboration with all states and territories by June 2021. This Strategy will aim to provide leadership and coordination to more effectively address national priorities. It will work with soil related programs and networks to promote the latest technologies and regenerative practices aimed at improving the profitability and sustainability of our soils, including exploring the use of compost tea to improve soil biology and fertility.

The Australian Government will deliver actions to improve recovery of organic waste, including food organics and garden organics to deliver on the National Waste Policy Action Plan, which was agreed by Australia's environment ministers in November 2019. As part of this work the Australian Government will partner with state, territory and local governments to develop distributed infrastructure solutions to process organic waste, including composting infrastructure.

The Australian Government is also committed to reducing Australia's food waste by 50 per cent by 2030 and has provided nearly $50 million to-date to achieve this. Government funding has included:

$30 million to the Fight Food Waste CRC to research food waste throughout the supply and consumption chain

$1.37 million to implement the National Food Waste Strategy

up to $18 million to reduce food waste in the primary production sector

$2 million to fund Freeze Dry Industries to trial low-energy, mobile freeze dryers that preserve fresh fruit, vegetables and other raw materials that might otherwise become waste

$1.2 million to support four food rescue organisations - Foodbank, Secondbite, OzHarvest and Fareshare to help reduce their operational costs and improve their energy efficiency.

Thank you again for bringing this petition to the Government's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Environment

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning petition EN1296, seeking aerial food drops for wildlife and regeneration of habitat after the recent bushfires.

The impact of the bushfires across Australia has been severe. People have tragically lost their lives in the course of the fires, including brave volunteer firefighters. These devastating bushfires have had a significant toll on families, communities, businesses and the environment.

The Australian Government acknowledges the inspirational efforts of all those who played a role in the firefighting effort, including firefighters, emergency response personnel and wildlife carers, as well as those that are taking action to support communities.

In response to this summer's devastating bushfires, the Government has established a $2 billion recovery fund. As part of the $2 billion recovery fund, we have announced an investment of $200 million for the protection and restoration of affected wildlife, species and habitat.

A panel of experts, led by Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box, has been established to advise the Government on critical interventions required and development of a strategy to build back up animal and plant populations, ensuring their resilience into the future.

This investment is supporting immediate work to protect wildlife, as well as plan for longer term protection and restoration of Australia's environment. It includes activities aligned with the those outlined in the petition, including but not limited to:

Feeding support for the Mountain Pygmy Possum in Kosciuszko National Park, which will continue until late May/early June when the possums begin to hibernate.

Ongoing food support for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in Mt Kaputar (near Narrabri) and north-west of the Blue Mountains.

Identification and support for surviving populations of small mammals, birds, bats, plants, reptiles and invertebrates across South Australia.

Seed collection, propagation and repairs to fences to replace and protect threatened plant species in New South Wales, as well as reseeding of important plant communities in Victoria.

Direct plantings and maintenance of native trees and understory seedlings over two years in the Cudlee Creek fire-affected area of Adelaide, to support unique bird species.

Seed collection and establishment of seed production areas for threatened plants in the Stirling Ranges region of Western Australia.

$5 million for Greening Australia, which will enhance the protection of native habitats, build capacity in our native seed and nursery industry, and deliver a ten-year native seed and landscape restoration strategy.

Even as Australia deals with the challenges of COVID-19, the importance of addressing the loss of countless iconic wildlife and habitats through fires remains an important focus.

On 1 April 2020, I announced the availability of up to $12 million in grants to fund emergency recovery actions for bushfire-affected wildlife and habitat under the Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program. Grants from $100,000 to $1 million are available to individuals and organisations for projects that can commence as soon as possible and finish on or before 30 June 2021. To ensure organisations are given enough time to apply, grants will be staged over two tranches. Tranche two of the grants opportunity is now open and applications will be accepted until 28 May 2020.

To stay updated on bushfire recovery for our environment, including funding opportunities, Australians can visit www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

COVID-19

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 April 2020 concerning petition EN1301 to temporarily close Australian borders to inbound China flights until COVID-19 is contained. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic.

The Australian Government is working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives and livelihoods.

Acting on the latest health advice from the Chief Medical Officer and health authorities, on 20 March 2020, the National Cabinet moved to close Australia's borders to foreign nationals other than Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and their families. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

The Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with its medical authorities and act on the best possible advice to keep Australians safe.

Thank you for bringing petition EN1301 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 regarding Petition EN1303 about federal integrity arrangements. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition.

The Australian Government condemns corruption in all its forms. The Government is committed to ensuring our federal integrity framework is as robust as possible to maximise public confidence in our national institutions.

That is why the Government has committed to establishing a Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC) to enhance national integrity arrangements across the federal public sector.

The CIC will be a centralised, specialist centre for the investigation of corruption in the public sector. It will also work with agencies to build resilience to corruption and bolster agency capability to detect, deter and investigate corrupt conduct.

The CIC will be established as an independent statutory agency, led by a commissioner and two deputy commissioners. It will comprise a public sector integrity division and a law enforcement integrity division, ensuring targeted attention to corruption across the entirety of the public sector. The CIC will have a broad jurisdiction, including over parliamentarians and their staff, departments of state, Commonwealth companies and statutory agencies.

Through the CIC, the Government is targeting serious criminal corruption that presents a threat to good public administration. It will not duplicate the roles of existing bodies, but instead it will provide an expert investigative capability to respond to allegations of serious criminal corruption across the public sector.

I note the petitioners' support for an anti-corruption body that is able to investigate, prosecute and impose punishment. While the CIC must be equipped with strong powers to effectively address corruption, I am committed to ensuring that it also provides due process of law and natural justice to those who fall within the CIC's jurisdiction.

For this reason, at the conclusion of an investigation, the CIC will be able to refer a criminal brief of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration and possible prosecution before the courts. It will then be for the courts to determine sentencing, including any applicable terms of imprisonment. This will promote natural justice in investigations and preserve the role of the courts as arbiters of a person's guilt or innocence.

The petitioners also support the establishment of an anti-corruption body Inspector, and further propose that all appointments to the body be subject to bipartisan approval. The Government is committed to ensuring that the CIC is subject to appropriate oversight and checks and balances, and will continue to consider and evaluate possible arrangements in further refining the CIC model.

Further information on the CIC model can be found in the consultation paper available at https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Pages/commonwealth-integrity-commission.aspx.

I note the petitioners' request that the federal anti-corruption body be established as a matter of urgency. The legislation to establish the CIC is complex. It is important that sufficient time is dedicated to drafting and consulting on the legislation to ensure the new body has both the resources and powers that it needs to investigate allegations of criminal corruption across the public sector.

The Government has been consulting widely to ensure that the model for the new Commission strengthens federal integrity arrangements without compromising fundamental principles of our criminal justice system. The Government is currently finalising draft legislation to implement the CIC, which will form the basis of further public consultation. The petitioners may wish to consider the draft legislation and provide comments once it is released for public consultation.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Food Labelling

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning a petition received by the Standing Committee on Petitions about labelling of vegan products and the potential to mislead consumers (EN1304).

Australian food and consumer laws are designed to provide consumers with the information they need to make an informed choice. It is unlawful for a business to make a representation that is false or misleading.

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Code) requires the name of the food to be a name or description that is sufficient to indicate the true nature of the food, and that it be included on the label (Standard 1.2.2, section 2). A requirement introduced into the Code, which took effect on 1 March 2016, allows for the use of the food name with additional descriptors (Standard 1.1.1, subsection 13(4)). For example, the descriptor 'soy' for soy milk makes it clear to the consumer that the food they are purchasing is not a dairy milk product to which the dairy standard applies.

The Code also requires ingredient information and a nutrition information panel, which assists consumers to make an informed choice about what is in the food they are purchasing and how it compares with other products.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent statutory authority whose role is to enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which incorporates the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Amongst other things, the ACL prohibits businesses from engaging in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive, or from making a representation that is false or misleading about the quality, quantity, composition or origin of food products.

Whether the labelling of a plant-based substitute product may be misleading under the ACL depends on the overall impression conveyed to a reasonable consumer by the labelling and packaging. Any such consideration takes into account matters such as specific statements made and images used and their relative prominence, placement and size, and does not hinge on the use of any particular word (such as 'meat') or particular image.

I note the petition requests an investigation of labelling systems for vegan products. I can advise that labelling of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products has been examined by the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum).

In October 2018, the Forum asked the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) to develop an options paper on how foods standards, including labelling, definitions and other elements, can be used to address potentially misleading descriptions of food. Following receipt of the options paper, the Forum discussed the issue of labelling of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products at its meeting on 15 November 2019. The Forum recognised the value of the meat and dairy sector to the Australian and New Zealand diet and economy, but also recognised the growing value of the alternative products sector. It agreed that both have a place in the market for consumers. Further work is being conducted by FRSC in relation to labelling of synthetic foods, such as cell-based meat grown in laboratories. Updates on this work can be found at: www.foodregulation.gov.au.

Further, in 2016, the Forum considered a Report on Dairy Substitute Beverages. This report explored a number of issues in relation to plant-based dairy substitutes, including naming conventions and the use of the word 'milk'. The report found that dairy substitute beverages are adequately regulated by current permissions in the Code, including consideration of naming conventions. This was agreed by the Forum Ministers at that time.

The ACCC advises that it has received very few contacts from consumers claiming they had been misled by the labelling used for plant based substitute products. The ACCC has reviewed the labelling of some of such products where concerns were raised, however the ACCC considered that the overall impression conveyed by the labelling of these products was unlikely to be misleading to an ordinary consumer.

As an economy-wide regulator, the ACCC focuses on issues that have the potential to seriously harm the competitive process or result in widespread consumer or business detriment. The ACCC will consider allegations raised with it about misleading labelling of plant based substitute products against its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, which can be found at: www.accc.gov.au.

Thank you for raising this matter. Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 9 April 2020 concerning the presentation of Petition EN1313 to establish a National Memorial and Museum to Extinct and Endangered Australian Species in Canberra.

The Australian Government takes the threat of extinction seriously. We appointed Australia's first Threatened Species Commissioner and established the Threatened Species Strategy to bring a national focus to threatened species recovery efforts. The Strategy sets out our approach of science, action and partnership, and establishes ambitious targets to recover priority threatened species. This has been backed by significant investment, which reaches beyond the priority species and contributes to the Strategy's key action areas of tackling feral cats, creating safe havens, improving habitat and emergency interventions to avert extinctions.

Thank you for bringing the proposal to establish a National Memorial and Museum to my attention. Engaging the community and raising awareness about the species and threats they face is immensely important in the fight against extinction. Proposals to establish a new national memorial in the ACT are the responsibility of the Canberra National Memorials Committee who are empowered by the National Memorials Ordinance 1928, to approve the location and character of national memorials. More information about the Committee is available on the National Capital Authority's website.

The statutory review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is underway and I am encouraging all Australians to have their say. The signatories of the petition may wish to make a formal submission to the review reflecting their views on a National Memorial. Information about how to make a submission is available at https://epbcactreview.environment.gov.au/.

I have copied this letter to the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon Nola Marino MP, who is responsible for the administration of National Memorials Ordinance 1928.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Australian Constitution

Dear Chair

Thank you for your representation of 9 April 2020 concerning petition EN1321. The petitioners requested the Australian Government initiate a process to amend the Australian Constitution to include a statement of recognition for First Nations Peoples as a preamble.

As noted, Indigenous Australians are not acknowledged in the Constitution, which was drafted at a time when our shared history was not recognised. It is not uncommon for countries with similar histories to our own to take steps for Indigenous peoples to have a greater say in the policies and services that affect them.

In our country today, Indigenous Australians experience a significant gap in outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Australians in a number of key areas such as health, mortality, literacy and numeracy, and imprisonment. Having Indigenous voices heard and involved in the policy debate to address these issues is an important step towards reconciliation.

The Australian Government remains committed to holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution, once there is sufficient consensus on the way forward and at a time it has the best chance of success. It is important that we have rigorous discussion and that the views of all Australians are considered. Only eight out of 44 past referenda have been successful and it's important we learn from this and agree to a set of words that are acceptable to the majority of Australians. We must be pragmatic and consider options that provide the greatest chance of success.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Mr Wyatt

Federal Government: Fixed Terms

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 9 April 2020, referring petition number EN1345 to the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters. As the Minister responsible for electoral policy this matter has been referred to me for response.

The petition proposes a change to four-year terms for both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Parliamentary terms can only be changed by amending the Constitution through a referendum. There have been a number of unsuccessful attempts to alter the terms by changing the Constitution, with the most recent attempt in 1988.

The petition also proposes that preferential voting be made optional. Full preferential voting, as applied in Australian federal elections for over a century, requires a candidate to build an absolute majority of support in an electorate, rather than a simple majority.

The Government has no plans to hold a referendum on introducing four-year terms, or to amend the Electoral Act to introduce optional preferential voting. However the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is currently holding its inquiry into the conduct of the 2019 election and this is an opportunity to consider the issues such as the ones you have raised. That committee has considered these issues in previous inquiries in past parliaments.

I have copied this letter to the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters.

Kind regards

from the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann

Vaccination

Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your letter of 9 April 2020 on behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions concerning Petition EN1356 on vaccine safety.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation in recognition that it is a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of many diseases in the community that can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions, or even death. However, it is not compulsory and people maintain the right to choose whether to vaccinate their children.

Regarding your request for the Government to fund vaccine safety studies, the Government already has in place, an Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV) that provides independent medical and scientific advice to myself, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on issues relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines supplied in Australia.

This includes issues relating to pre-market assessment, post-market monitoring and safe use in national immunisation programs.

There is overwhelming public support for a tough stance on immunisation - parents across Australia need to be confident that their children will be safe from preventable diseases.

While parents take responsibility for decisions affecting their children, the Government recognises that if a parent chooses not to vaccinate their child against the infectious diseases, they are not only putting their child's health at risk, but also the health of everybody else's children. Therefore, the Government introduced the No Jab, No Pay legislation.

While the Government appreciates the No Jab, No Pay may affect some families' financial circumstances, it has formed the view that the benefits of vaccination to the community are sufficiently important to warrant the policy.

In addition to the Government No Jab, No Pay legislation, some states have legislated immunisation requirements for attendance at childcare and preschool, known as No Jab No Play.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Korea

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2020 concerning Petition EN1359 to issue a travel ban or compulsory quarantine for people travelling from and through the Republic of Korea. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Acting on the latest health advice from the Chief Medical Officer and health authorities, on 20 March 2020, the National Cabinet moved to close Australia's borders to non-citizens, permanent residents and their families.

From 28 March 2020, the Australian Government introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a designated facility for anybody returning from overseas.

The Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with medical authorities and act on the best possible advice to keep Australians safe. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing this Petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

COVID-19: Biosecurity

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2020 concerning Petition EN1385 concerning closing Australian borders. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Acting on the latest health advice from the Chief Medical Officer and health authorities, on 20 March 2020, the National Cabinet moved to close Australia's borders to non-citizens, permanent residents and their families.

From 28 March 2020, the Australian Government introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a designated facility for anybody returning from overseas.

The Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with state and territory health authorities and act on the best possible advice to keep Australians safe. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing this Petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton

COVID-19: Higher Education

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 13 May 2020 concerning petition number EN1403: outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt, which was submitted to the Standing Committee on Petitions. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The Australian Government is committed to maintaining a sustainable higher education system, so that it remains accessible for future students. HELP enables students to access the benefits of higher education by removing upfront financial barriers. The Government funds access and participation in higher education through HELP as higher education plays a crucial role in creating opportunities for individuals, by providing the skills needed to boost our economic productivity and competitiveness. It is reasonable for the Government to require students, who have benefitted from deferring their higher education tuition costs through HELP, to repay those costs through the taxation system on an income contingent basis. This ensures HELP remains sustainable for future students. Remitting all outstanding HELP debt would undermine the sustainability of higher education funding, and shift the whole cost of a student's higher education onto all taxpayers, including taxpayers who did not undertake higher education.

In regards to the concerns you have raised about the financial burden of HELP debt repayments, HELP is income contingent, meaning repayments of outstanding HELP debt are only required if a debtor's income meets a compulsory repayment threshold. The repayment rate for each threshold increases in scale, so that the repayment rate is less for lower incomes. For 2019-2020, no repayment is required for an income less than $45,881. As such, HELP debtors who have seen their incomes reduce due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will repay lower amounts if their income reduces below their usual repayment threshold. If a HELP debtor's income reduces below the minimum repayment threshold, they will not be required to make a repayment. In addition, there is no real interest charged on HELP loans. Instead, HELP loans are indexed each year in accordance with the Consumer Price Index, allowing the debt to maintain its real value in line with changes in the cost of living.

HELP debtors experiencing financial hardship can apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to defer or amend the compulsory repayment of their HELP debts. Further information is available on the ATO's website at: www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Study-and-training-support-loans/Deferring-repayments.

The Government is committed to supporting Australians and the Australian economy during this difficult time. In addition to other COVID-19 related programs and supports, on 12 April 2020, the Government announced the Higher Education Relief Package containing measures to support students, displaced workers, and the economy. More information about the Higher Education Relief Package is available here: www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/higher-education/higher-education-faq.

I would like to thank the petitioners for raising their concerns. I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education, Mr Tehan

Newstart Allowance

Dear Mr O'Brien

Thank you for your letter dated 11 February 2020, concerning Petition PN0458 - Current rate of $40 per day for Newstart. I apologise for the lengthy delay in responding. As you can imagine my office has been occupied with the bushfires, and now the coronavirus crisis.

The petitioner calls for a raise to the rate of Newstart Allowance and similar working age payments by at least $75 per week as a matter of urgency. The petitioner believes the Newstart payment does not provide proper support, and it forces many people into a circle of deprivation, social isolation and humiliation.

The Australian social security system aims to support the basic living standards of all Australians and increase their social and economic participation. The Australian Government is committed to a welfare system that supports the most vulnerable, encourages those who are able to work or study, and is sustainable for future generations. One of the Government's key objectives is to ensure that people who have the capacity to work, support themselves to the fullest extent possible.

Newstart Allowance (now known as JobSeeker Payment) is the main income support payment for people of workforce age, while they are unemployed. It is designed to provide a safety net for people who require financial assistance, and to provide incentives to enable them to join or return to the workforce.

JobSeeker Payment is indexed twice a year in March and September, in line with movements in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Payment increases are calculated according to provisions in social security legislation.

To address the global health crisis related to Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19), the Australian Government has recently announced that it is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight. This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of JobSeeker and other payments. These changes will apply for the next six months.

The Government will also provide for two Economic Support Payments to provide financial assistance and help people through this uncertain time and support economic activity. Payments will automatically be made into eligible recipients' bank accounts from 31 March 2020 and from 13 July 2020.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Australia Day

Dear Ms Elliot

I am writing in relation to your letter dated 2 March 2020 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP regarding a petition to ask the House to declare 27 May the new official date for 'Australia Day' (PN0464). The Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf.

Australia Day is a day to reflect on our shared history, its highs and its lows, to respect the stories of others and celebrate our nation, its achievements, but most of all its people. On Australia Day we welcome our newest Australians alongside the world's oldest living culture and celebrate our diverse background and the extraordinary achievements that have made Australia a successful multicultural society.

On occasion the Government has heard some suggestions, such as the request of this petition, to change the date of Australia Day. Whilst I thank the petitioner for their suggestion, it is the Government's view that Australia Day should continue to be celebrated annually on 26 January.

Australia Day is a time to reflect, respect and celebrate the story of Australia. It's a time to reflect on the past 60,000 years of Australian history, our many successes, and our failures, and to be grateful for the free and fair democracy we have created for ourselves today.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Mr Morton

Environment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 April 2020 concerning petition PN0472 about preventing the destruction of Australia's natural heritage and building disaster management capabilities. The Australian Government is implementing a range of measures that protect, enhance and rehabilitate our natural environment.

In October 2019, the Government announced the commencement of the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The independent review of the EPBC Act will consider all ideas put forward to ensure our national environmental law remains fit for purpose. A discussion paper was released by the independent reviewer, Professor Graeme Samuel AC, on 21 November 2019. Details about the review and how to be involved are available on the review website at www.epbcactreview.environment.gov.au.

The Australian Government is an international leader in how it is responding to biodiversity loss. Last November I was delighted to co-launch Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 with my state and territory ministerial colleagues.

Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030, along with Australia's Nature Hub website, are a key part of our commitment to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Strategy has generated a significant amount of interest within the international community for the innovative and inclusive approach it promotes.

Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 represents a new way of doing business for Australia. The Strategy provides the opportunity to expand conversations on biodiversity conservation, recognising the important role biodiversity plays in all landscapes and seascapes, including in production areas and cities, and the critical links to human health. A progress report on the Strategy is to be provided to environment ministers every two years. Publicly available progress reports will be published every four years, aligning with Australia's reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

As part of Australia's response to climate change, the Government is taking real and practical action to reduce our emissions. The Government's response to climate change includes mitigation to reduce emissions, and resilience and adaptation to prepare practically for climate change, such as supporting renewable generation technology and funding research into new technology.

The Australian Government is working closely with states and territories to assess the environmental impact of the recent bushfires, including on matters of national environmental significance such as threatened species. This involves sharing information and data on mapping the extent and severity of the fires across a range of tenure and landscapes, including the National Reserve System. Working with state and territories, we have 'boots on the ground' undertaking ground truthing exercises to verify what mapping information is telling us about the ecological impact of the fires, including what it means for species of interest.

In response to this summer's devastating bushfires, the Government has established a $2 billion recovery fund.

As part of the $2 billion recovery fund, we have announced an investment of $200 million for the protection and restoration of affected wildlife, species and habitat as well as plan for longer term protection and restoration of Australia's environment. A panel of experts, led by Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box, has been established to advise the Government on critical interventions required, and to develop a strategy to build back up animal and plant populations, ensuring their resilience into the future.

The Government supports environmental science through the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), a long-term commitment to environment and climate research with funding of $145 million over the six years from 2015-16 to 2020-21. This year the Government has committed a further $149 million in climate and environmental science targeting plastic waste, threatened species, climate systems and a range of key environmental issues.

Through NESP six research hubs are supported, including the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub. Ecological recovery and restoration are priority areas of research for these Hubs.

The Australian Government is investing in environmental rehabilitation and resilience through a range of programs. The National Landcare Program is a nationwide effort to address problems such as loss of vegetation, soil degradation, the introduction of pest weeds and animals, changes in water quality and flows and changes in fire regimes

This represents a billion-dollar commitment by the Government to protect and conserve Australia's water, soil, plants, animals and ecosystems, as well as support the productive and sustainable use of these valuable resources. This is a very significant investment, which is in addition, but complementary to, the bushfire recovery work.

The Australian Government is also investing $100 million, over four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23, to help ensure our environment is protected for future generations through the Environment Restoration Fund.

The Environment Restoration Fund builds on the Government's $1 billion investment, over six years from 2017-18 to 2022-23, in the National Landcare Program. The Government's investment in the Fund is helping to deliver national environmental priorities, including the protection of Matters of National Environmental Significance such as listed threatened and migratory species and ecological communities and Ramsar wetlands.

Further to the National Landcare Program and the Environment Restoration Fund, the Australian Government is investing about $20 million this financial year through the Communities Environment Program to support a wide range of small-scale, on-ground projects that aim to conserve, protect and manage our environment.

Management of the six national parks, 58 marine parks and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are internationally regarded. The six land based national parks are part of the National Reserve System (NRS), Australia's network of protected areas. The NRS is based on a scientific framework, it is the nation's natural safety net against our biggest environmental challenges.

The petition makes specific reference to the use of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as a fire retardant. All Australian governments, including state and territory governments, are sharing information on PFAS contamination with the aim of managing the potential impacts to environment and human health. I can confirm that the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan, version 2 (PFAS NEMP 2.0) was agreed by Heads of EPAs in October 2019. It provides nationally agreed guidance on managing legacy PFAS contamination at affected sites.

The Australian Government has in place, a number of plans that focus on the security and sustainability of our national assets and primary production sectors. For instance, the national security of our national biodiversity is recognised through Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030, referred to earlier, and the Threatened Species Strategy. Australia's Strategy for Nature recognises that high biodiversity can act as insurance against change; the more variety we maintain in nature, the greater the chance that some species will survive and adapt in the future. Maintaining high biodiversity and healthy ecosystems is the best way to build resilience, the ability to recover from the impacts of threats, pressures and disasters.

The Government's Threatened Species Strategy outlines a bold new and action-based approach to protecting and recovering our nation's threatened plants and animals. The Threatened Species Strategy sets out a road map and highlights how our approach of science, action and partnership can be used to achieve the long-term goal of reversing species declines and supporting species recovery.

Plans for national security of other sectors and assets are in place and are overseen by other Ministers. For example, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction is responsible for the security of domestic and international supply chains for electricity, gas and liquid fuel.

The National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP) is a COAG Energy Council agreed package of measures to improve Australia's energy productivity by 40 per cent between 2015 and 2030. The NEPP takes a whole-of-system approach to energy policy and covers electricity, gas and transport fuels. In addition, the Australian Government is undertaking a National Energy Security Assessment (NESA) and a Liquid Fuel Security Review to help deliver affordable and reliable energy in Australia. It will contribute to the NESA and will inform Australia's approach to return to compliance with the International Energy Agency (IEA) treaty.

On 22 April, Minister Taylor also announced the Government is boosting the nation's long-term fuel security by taking advantage of dramatic falls in global oil prices and building on our historic agreement with the United States to access their Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Under the new measures, Australia will establish its first Government-owned oil reserves for domestic fuel security worth $94 million. This will include a deal with the United States to store Australian Government owned crude oil in the US SPR.

In regard to the petition's broader point about building Australia's disaster management capabilities, on 20 February, the Prime Minister announced a Royal Commission to lead an inquiry into the devastating Black Summer bushfires. The inquiry has a national focus and is looking at three key areas:

Improving natural disaster management coordination across all levels of government.

Improving Australia's preparedness, resilience, and response to natural disasters, across all levels of government.

The legal framework for the Commonwealth's involvement in responding to national emergencies and how that works with state and territory legal frameworks.

The findings from this inquiry will be considered by relevant ministers and COAG in due course. Yours sincerely

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Procedure Committee

Joint Standing Committee on Migration

Australian Parliamentary Delegation the 40th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, and to the Philippines and Malaysia

Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit

Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System

Sheean, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy)

United States of America

Regional Australia Select Committee

Northern Australia Committee

Commonwealth Registers Bill 2019

Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee

Liverpool City Council CEO

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance

International Cleaners Day

COVID-19: Defence Personnel

Live Animal Exports

Live Animal Exports

Queensland: Police Training

Oakfield Lodge

Nightlight Outreach

Australia Post

Australian Bushfires

Queensland Koala Society

Western Australia: COVID-19

Censorship

Gambling

Moncrieff Electorate: Queen's Birthday Honours

Domestic and Family Violence

Falloon, Ms Lesley, OAM

COVID-19: University Sector

O'Connor Electorate: Infrastructure

Gillespie, Mr Karm

COVID-19: Employment

Infrastructure