Petitions Committee

Ethiopia: Tigrayans

November 4th 2020 is a date of much grief and trauma to the Tigrayan people. It is on this day that the unelected Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali waged a genocidal war against the people of Tigray. Since then Ethiopian National Defence Force, Eritrean Defence Forces and the Amhara regional militia have conducted civilian massacres, extra judicial executions, indiscriminate shelling and acts of horrific sexual violence resulting in the displacement of 2.2 million Tigrayans. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 91% of Tigrayans are in need of urgent food assistance as a direct result of the weaponization of food. Whilst the $3 million Australia has pledged to provide the World Food Programme is much appreciated, there is more that needs to be done.

We therefore ask the House to

1. Publicly condemn the war and mass atrocities transpiring within the Tigray region.

2. Demand an immediate ceasefire and removal of federal and foreign forces out of the Tigray region.

3. Render necessary support to Australian citizens that are in Tigray to return to Australia.

4. Necessitate the opening of humanitarian corridors and unfettered access for aid workers.

5. Provide further funding and support to alleviate the humanitarian calamity in Tigray and ensure its distribution to Tigrayans in dire need.

6. Encourage a UN-led team of independent investigators to carry out a thorough investigation into the lawlessness, weaponised sexual and gender-based violence, starvation, and the destruction of settlements since the declaration on November 4th, 2020.

from 973 citizens (Petition No. EN2613)

Internet Content

People below the age of 18 are receiving unrestricted access to pornographic material on the internet without any protections or policing of the Internet Websites that make this material available. Children as young as 6 are being given unfiltered access to The Internet by parents who are not tech-savvy enough to know how to restrict access to these sites.

The fact that they are delivered over The Internet is not an excuse for allowing this to occur. Even if they are not searching for it, pornographic and suggestive advertisement is published no websites that are not adult related.

Proof of age cards are now widely available, and passports/drivers licenses need not be the only method of age checking.

Right to privacy is not an excuse, this sexual and mental health crisis for our children.

We therefore ask the House to review policies for the access to these pornographic Internet websites by minors, and enforce proof of age checking on websites that offer material rated as R18+ or unrated or known to be illegal in Australia, the same as if the consumer entered a store to purchase such material.

from 12 citizens (Petition No. EN2614)

Health Care

Shortage of General practitioner especially in the Rural Australia is concerning issue.

The Deloitte Access report, forecasts a 37.5% increase in the demand for general practice services by 2030 that it says will contribute to a shortfall of 9298 full-time GPs, or 24.7% of the GP workforce.

AMC ensures IMG are assessed for their competency to be at par with those of Australian Medical graduate who have passed an Australian university or Medical School.

The IMG who successfully complete the AMC certificate become eligible for provisional registration and considered at par with Australian Medical Graduates.

But unfortunately these candidates have to undergo PESCI. PESCI accesses the suitability of candidate for a particular position, but at the same time the AMC has certified that these candidates are at par with Australian Graduates, So they should not be subjected to this double standards.

Exemption of PESCI for candidates with AMC certificate will improve the shortage of General practitioners in Rural Australia there by improving the Health services and allowing more bulk billing services.

We therefore ask the House to advise AHPRA to exempt the need for PESCI for International Medical Graduates who have passed the AMC clinical examination, which will allow the employers in rural Australia employ such candidates, thereby improving the much needed health services in rural Australia.

from 1198 citizens (Petition No. EN2616)

JobKeeper Payment

All businesses which got jobkeeper & did not need it & made profite & gave dividends to sareholders have to pahy all the JOBKEEPER money back to the Australian Gov.

This is a rort & should be not tolerated.

If these many big businesses DO NOT PAY ALL THE JOBKEEPER MONEY BACK THEN WHY SHOULD I AS A TAX PAYER PAY ANY TAX

So many have abused the systm & even got more money they originally got throught their job,

Seriously I bet if I do not pay the ATO will b e after me so why should't these many businesses PAY ALL THE MONEY ACK TO & THE ATO SHOULD BE AFTER THEM TOO

I AM WAITING NOW TO SEE OF THE GOV. MAKES IT COMPULASURTY JOBKEEPER PAYBACK

We therefore ask the House to Make all businesses which received jobkeeper & were not entitled to it & were making profites & giving their share holders dividiends have to be made by the Fedral Gov. & ATO to PAY BACK ALL THE JOBKEEPER PAYMENTS NOW AS MANY TAXPAYERS HAD TO PAY THEIR TAX AS WELL

from 35 citizens (Petition No. EN2617)

Acts Interpretation Act 1901

The Acts Interpretation Act 1901 s25D outlines that the content of a statements of reasons for decisions, shall, "set out the findings on material questions of fact and refer to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based".

The Acts Interpretation Act does not extend, or offer any meaning or definition for the expression, "other material".

At 29, in Milbourn v Repatriation Commission [2009] FCA176, GRAHAM J, perhaps gives some insight into what "other material" may consist of, when he postulates that, the expression "'other material' was intended to contemplate matters such as an agreement as to relevant facts, other material to which the Tribunal may have had regard which did not constitute 'evidence' and material such as policy statements".

Clarification in affirming, and if necessary expanding on what GRAHAM J contemplates, by way of the creation of a meaning or definition for "other material" would, evidently, not only provide refined understanding to the Court, but also be of significant value to administrative decision makers, and also allow for greater and clearer understanding to those that effected by any administrative decisions, in instances where there is a requirement or demand for a statements of reasons, or where one can be obtained.

We therefore ask the House to initiate such processes, as to cause such amendment to the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 that will result in the creation and enactment of a meaning, or definition to the expression "other material", for the purposes of Acts Interpretation Act s25D.

from 32 citizens (Petition No. EN2621)

Private Health Insurance

it is outrageous now in some Australia are forced to pay Medicare Levy while others are not

but those that pay a Private Health Insurance get any real value anymore as we used.

Every year the Gov. allows many increases without a good reason.

Why aren't private health insurance not cover everything as we used have. PLEASES GIVE US A REASON. YEARS AGO THERE WAS TECHNOLGY ALSO BUT WE HAD NO SUCH INCREASES AS NOW & OUTRAGEOUSLY PATEINTS ARE OUT OF POCKET TOO, WHY?

If private health insurers say thy need to increase premiums why are they sponsoring sports?

How much are they paying all the so called compare businesses?

REALLY THE MORE THEY INCREASE PREMIUMS THE MORE PEOPLE WILL DROP OUT.

What is worse now many doctors, unions, other businesses are setting u their own health insurances so the poor single person has no power to bargain & this is wrong.

We therefore ask the House to set up Royal Commission into Private Health Insurance

Why should people with private health pay the Medicare Levy too but many Australians pay nothing?

from 6 citizens (Petition No. EN2624)

COVID-19: Vaccination

In achieving good health to avoid Covid 19 or other illness, we have the right to select from several practices and vaccination may not necessarily be included.

Vaccination, and by extension, the passport may be described as non-compulsory but such is a misnomer when the passport would ultimately be required for most aspects of civil life including travel, banking, supermarkets, medical centres, sport and social events.

It would be come a Licence to Live.

A vaccination passport has no place in a free society.

It would become a Licence to Live.

A vaccination passport has no place in a free society.

We therefore ask the House to campaign and vote AGAINST any legislation; regulation or rule which may lead to a 'vaccination passport' being introduced.

from 60072 citizens (Petition No. EN2626)

Australian Public Service

WHY IS THERE NI DIVERSITY OF AGE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE ESPECIALLY OLDER WORKERS OVER 45+ YEARS OLD?

WE HAVE DIVERSITY FROM RACE, COLOUR, GENDER BUT NOT AGE?

WHY NOT?

THIS IS A HUMAN RIGHT

We therefore ask the House to CHANGE THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAWS ON EMPLOYEMENT DIVERSITY TO INCLUDE AGE

NO AGE DESCRIMINATION ESPECIALLY THE OLDER WORKERS 45+

from 8 citizens (Petition No. EN2627)

COVID-19: Vaccination

1. The Astrazeneca COVID19 vaccine is believed to:

a. have less efficacy and to be less effective than the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine,

b. have higher risks for possible health complications than the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine, and/or

c. contribute to a lower take up of COVID19 vaccinations among the Australian population.

2. The Pfizer COVID19 vaccine has been and is being provided to some sections of the Australian population, such as Politicians, Sportspeople, and certain age groups.

3. The Pfizer COVID19 vaccine should be made available to any adult in the Australian population that desires it.

We therefore ask the House to recommend, endorse and/or approve that the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine should be made available to any person in the Australian population that desires it, and as soon as possible.

from 98 citizens (Petition No. EN2628)

Visas

At the moment parents aren't covered under any type of exemptions. I'm sure parents are an immediate family for many migrants like me. In many migrants communities, parents stay in the same house and be a part of everyday chores. Mostly, they are the pillars for grandchildren, specially when both parents are working.

First of all, not seeing parents under immediate family category really hurts. When child is under eighteen, he is a part of immediate family. Suddenly, when he grows up to be an adult, his parents are gone to just family, not an immediate one. I don't think anyone can believe this.

For migrants parents, this is even harder to believe. International parents send their kids to study/live life in most advanced countries without realizing when the same kids return back home, those advanced countries doesn't label them as an immediate family. How harsh is that?

I'm not asking for a sympathy, rather I'm asking to change the rule and consider parents as an immediate family, that's it. So that they can enter Australia and live with their kids under current visa options which they have (Visitor visa, parents visa etc.)

We therefore ask the House to consider parents as immediate family and allow entry under travel exemption.

from 491 citizens (Petition No. EN2630)

COVID-19: International Travel

I am sure there are many in the same boat , but my Sister (well one of) lives in the United States. I really want to see her. So I am petitioning the House to allow for all Australians to see family for whatever reason overseas from October 2021.

We therefore ask the House to allow for all Australians to see family for whatever reason overseas from October 2021.

from 109 citizens (Petition No. EN2631)

Child Care

Under the current Child Care Subsidy Scheme the Government has placed no rules around how hours can be used by Child Care providers.

This means that a provider can charge parents for a full 12 hour, or more commonly 10 hour day, even if parents don't require that amount of care.

Not only does this mean the Government is paying for thousands of unused hours, but families are also not able to use the hours where they actually need them.

The current CCS is based on a 9 hour day, but most providers don't allow that, meaning families are either having to pay for hours at full fare or not being able to have their children in the full amount of care the Government has given them.

This small change would add no additional cost to the current scheme, but would make a huge difference to the families who rely on it.

We therefore ask the House to consider enforcing Child Care Providers to offer "core hours" of 7 and 9 hours to allow parents greater use of their CCS.

Core Hours of 8:30-5:30 and 9:00-4:00 would allow parents to spread their full hours across more days of care.

This would also allow Child Care providers more control in hiring staff as they would need the majority of staff during the core hours.

It would allow Educators more consistently in their groups and a better ability to structure the day.

Most importantly it would give greater stability to the children in care.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN2632)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Currently under 50s are given the choice, with GP consultation, between the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Australians over 50 are not afforded this choice and are given the AstraZeneca vaccine. I believe this discriminates against older Australians.

The AstraZeneca is not as effective against the South African variant and the delivery method (vector) has been proven to cause lethal blood clots in a small percentage of people.

If Australia is to reach herd immunity via vaccination, it's vital that all Australians are given the choice on which vaccine they receive.

We therefore ask the House to extend the same vaccine options to all Australians and allow everyone to choose which of the two available vaccines they would like to receive.

from 904 citizens (Petition No. EN2633)

COVID-19: India

I am writing this email to highlight the current situation of India due to Covid 19. Daily Corona Positive cases have jumped to 350k with 2k daily deaths.

I don't feel, there is enough time to gather the entire community in discussion and decide how to help India and entire nation.

As you know, India has been supportive in all areas to help with covid 19. Along with that India has been supportive in all area to support Humanity.

Having a Billion+ population, India's needs for the medical Oxygen has also increased tremendously, which has made the situation high horrific.

I am sure entire world and all Indian's residing in Australia are going though worst time. Our each and every second is highly worrisome and painful. India needs a quick support to meet the medical demands.

Being a resident of Australia and Indian born origin, i would request to provide Medical Equipment's to support India under such circumstances. India needs Oxygen Concentrators in large quantity along with Vaccines.

Nations who are fully equipped and almost protected can help India with rapid action support.

As you are Head of the Nation who wants to protect all the Australians and their families, so being an Australian, I am now seeking rapid help for my birth country from you.

We therefore ask the House to to provide Medical Equipment's to support India under such circumstances. India needs Oxygen Concentrators in large quantity along with Vaccines.

from 17 citizens (Petition No. EN2636)

Freedom of Speech

We are Australian Christians that are concerned with the quality and value the Christian voice currently has in our country. That our basic fundemental freedoms to speak about our faith is being repremanded and vilified not only in the media but also in institutions and workplaces. We have copious examples of people losing jobs just for stating they are Christians and their Christian beliefs. Our words of faith are being treated unfairly and unequally comparitively to other belief systems.

We therefore ask the House to view this petition in Parliament in support of the Religious Freedom / Discrimination Bills and Amendments. We believe that Christian entities should have the ability to keep our Christian morals, values and ethics and overall ethos in respect to our Christian organisations and businesses. To continually be true to the Bibles words and to state them both privately and publicly and in a respectful manner. The words of the Bible have been the core foundation to our belief system that has existed for thousands of years, which is a right of every individual to aggregate their own belief systems and follow it. We therefore request that the rights of Christians to speak words of the Bible and pray for others in both private and public spaces be permitted and not be discriminated against, seen as derogatory or hate speech. Australia represents equal rights and a democratic society; therefore we ask for our equal right to be able to live our faith without prejudice or bigoting.

from 25 citizens (Petition No. EN2638)

Taxation

The ATO is charging individuals and sole traders late tax return lodgement fee of $1100 for 2019/2020 financial year. The last thing on the minds of Australians in the middle of last year's pandemic lockdowns was lodgement of tax returns, especially for Victorian businesses and workers who had a very hard time. The government should be finding ways to relieve Australians of financial difficulties in a time like this and not making things hard for us.

We therefore ask the House to remove this late tax return lodgement penalty for the year 2019/2020

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2640)

COVID-19: International Travel

On 23rd April after 4 PM all of sudden all granted Exemptions are auto cancelled and prevented Indians nationals with Australian PRs n Citizenship to board the flight. All of them have applied with proper documents and agreed to stay out of Australia for at least 3 months. But still in the last minute they got stopped from travel.

We therefore ask the House to allow them to be able to travel to India at least for people who need to provide phisical support for sick family members

from 10 citizens (Petition No. EN2641)

COVID-19: Tourism Industry

The ban on cruise ships operating in Australia was in response to the speed of the onset of the pandemic but is now outdated and yet to be lifted beyond the allowance of a 100 passenger limit. Over the last six and nine months respectively, domestic cruises have operated in Singapore and Taiwan with almost 500,000 passengers carried, with no cases or infections whatsoever due to the standard of the operations and the success of those countries in controlling the virus similar to that which Australia has achieved. There are many Australians who will benefit by a prompt resumption including holidaymakers, tourism sector workers, travel agents and primary producers. Ultimately, the presence of cruise ships in Australia will be a crucial part of the recovery of inbound tourism.

We therefore ask the House to lift the ban on cruise ships to enable the resumption of domestic and regional cruises in Australia and other safe destinations in our region for vessels larger than 100 passengers using the safe, responsible and 100% successful model used in Singapore and Taiwan.

from 1070 citizens (Petition No. EN2642)

COVID-19: International Travel

Keeping our borders closed to Taiwan comes at a great human and economic cost to Australians with negligible health benefits.

Taiwan's spectacular success in its battle against COVID19 meant that despite its proximity to China, the island is virtually COVID-free with only 12 COVID-related deaths to date, with

Taiwan is Australia's 8th largest export market with over $17B trade annually supported by a vibrant Taiwanese Australian community.

Keeping our borders closed to Taiwan is a senseless tragedy, grandparents are kept from holding their newborn grandchildren, husband kept from hugging their wives and children, and children kept from seeing their elderly parents for the last time.

When travel bubbles are already in place or being considered with countries that pose considerably more risk, such as New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand, it's senseless to keep our border to Taiwan shut.

We therefore ask the House to extend the two-way quarantine free travel bubble with Taiwan, allowing families to reunite.

from 940 citizens (Petition No. EN2644)

COVID-19: International Travel

Whereas other countries are asking citizens to return from high risk COVID countries, Australia has abandoned its citizens in risky countries. From past 14 months we have not been able to build adequate quarantine facilities. Stranded Australians have even approached UN for the same. Its weird that a developed and responsible nation like us is not helping its own citizens to return. Please allow citizens to return and live a dignified life.

We therefore ask the House to arrange special flights to allow all stranded citizens return. Create adequate makeshift hospital / hotels for quarantine.

from 95 citizens (Petition No. EN2645)

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for far too long have/are allowing non-citizen convicted criminals & pretend refugees to remain in Australia that are totally against the best interests of the Australian people.

The AAT had prevented the deportation of a number of non-citizen convicted criminals ,

bashers, drug runners, armed robbers and gangsters from other countries.

Many Australian victims didn't get a second chance and they don't deserve one either.

There are many pretend refugees who come here illigally & use our system for free,

lie to stay.

The Minister to have the final decision in the best interest of Australia not some political activist appointees or judges.

They're out of touch with reality and good sense.

We therefore ask the House to Get rid of the AAT

from 2 citizens (Petition No. EN2646)

COVID-19: International Travel

It is now a crime for Australians stuck in India to try and escape the pandemic and return to Australia.

Purportedly this is to protect Australians.

But not those Australians who are in the greatest peril.

This monstrous policy of jailing citizens who want to come home is not only a first for Australia, but probably a first world wide.

The pandemic in India is in an apocalyptic phase and there is real danger of the virus escaping quarantine and causing a breakout in Australia again.

However these measures were not employed when the US, Britain were in the midst of similar troubles.

The people stuck in India are Australians too, and they deserve equal protection from the commonwealth. Or are "new" Australians expected to be treated differently to "Real" Australians?

There are families in deep distress, parents separated from children, and husbands, wives and partners separated from each other and now in the midst of mortal peril. The commonwealth of Australia has a responsibility to all Australians and should not leave its own citizens stranded.

We therefore ask the House to

a. Roll back the criminalisation of those Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking to return from India

b. Offer every possible assistance to those Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking a return in a swift manner

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2648)

COVID-19: International Travel

It has been 15 months since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic yet we find ourselves in May of 2021 with tens of thousands of Australian citizens still stranded overseas unable to be repatriated. There are even more citizens of Australia who reside overseas and can't get home to see family and friends despite having 'compelling reasons'. The current system to get Australians home is broken. It is too slow, too expensive, too discriminatory and lacks compassion.

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and as citizens we should be able to return to our country without contrived systemic predjudice. The Australian government has a responsibility to get us all home to reunite with our families, to grieve, to assist, to nurture, to celebrate and to live out our civil rights in our country of origin. COVID is not going away, it's about time the Australian Government served the citizens of it country fully, not just the ones within its borders.

The current system is regressive and un-Austrlian. It's time the Australian Goverment got creative, showed compassion, showed real effort, invested and got on with it. Please sign this petition to open up Australia again.

We therefore ask the House to raise this matter in parliament such to instagate immediate action to expand the quaratine system and get it working for all citizens outside of Australia.

We ask the House to lobby the Government for a faster, larger, cheaper, more effective quarantine system and airline entry system NOW.

from 37 citizens (Petition No. EN2650)

COVID-19: International Travel

Already distressed Indian community would request to withdraw the recent ban as the citizens stuck there are exposed to life threatening conditions. Most of them went to perform last rites of their parents leaving families behind here. Australian passport promises our legal entry to Australia then why this discrimination with Indian diaspora while during European countries' second wave no such restrictions were imposed. The Government must trust and improve the Austryquarantine system instead in case it fears the infection spread. This decision has come as a bolt from blue to already suffering community and is asking question why we have been singled out to face jail and heavy penalties even though it's a global pandemic. Please reconsider and withdraw

We therefore ask the House to discuss this to support the distressed community and pursue the government to withdraw this decision

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2651)

COVID-19: Vaccination

covid has brought unprecedented circumstances to all humans on the planet and as an effect all countries are pushing to get all humans vaccinated. these are unprecedented times and has far reaching consequences and perhaps all understand that it is worldwide and not a particular country or region specific. This is a war between humans and virus and the intention should be vaccination of all at the earliest. to assist with this the ip/science behind vaccine needs to be democratized and hence enabling anyone having the capability and capacity to produce vaccines and helps the world fight virus at low cost and high speed. worst case it can be looked at to make the IP available for free for next 2 years for humanity to gain a strong foothold against the virus. we should understand that these are not times to look at securing ip and have competitive edge as anyone left unvaccinated has potential to trigger a pandemic anytime any place. lockdown, quarantine and sealing borders and not long term sustainable.

We therefore ask the House to request Asutralian representives in all world bodies to pitch in to make covid vaccine IP to be available freely to all. I would request Australian representative at all world forums to be pioneers and not look towards other world powers for permission in taking a stance in the fight against Covid.

from 17 citizens (Petition No. EN2652)

COVID-19: International Travel

According to figures provided to the Senate estimates in March, there are more than 36,000 Australians aboard, including 4,860 identified as vulnerable Australians, who are currently registered to return to Australia. Over 25% of the stranded Australians currently are in India. The actual number of Australians stranded overseas could be even higher now. It has come to a point where Australians feel they have been abandoned not just stranded. The need to act is NOW or it will be too late, too little for stranded Australians. The worry and grief for those stranded and their families is constant and we need to bring a closure to it by bringing all of them home.

We therefore ask the House to urgently intervene to bring back Australians in particular we ask the Australian Government:

1. To immediately commence repatriation of stranded Australians back home, including a timeframe to complete the repatriation.

2. In the light of the recent spike in coronavirus infections in India, the Government to commence immediate repatriation, as a matter of urgency, to bring back all Australians stranded in India.

3. Outline its plans to improve the quarantine facilities in each and every State and territory to provide a safe return to all Australians stranded overseas.

from 8 citizens (Petition No. EN2653)

Film Industry

the movie industry in Australia it is federal funded by system called screen australia grant .it has a section that says you need a distributor to get a grant . distributors will not look at anyone unless you have a known actor or a trailer [ a trailer shows parts of the movie]

We therefore ask the House to examine and implement a small grant system that lets movie or tv makers apply for a grant between 5000 to 10.000 dollars so they can make a trailer to send to distributor so the distributor can send them a letter of intent then they can apply for a bigger grant to make a movie .

from 3 citizens (Petition No. EN2656)

Health Care

chronic pain is bad no one should have to be in pain 24/7 . opiates help if you rotate the drugs you cut your chance of addiction .chronic pain has a high suicide rate which needs to change .

We therefore ask the House to authorise opiates to be subscribed by doctors and hospitals to chronic pain sufferers . at the moment hospitals and doctors hands are tied on what they can do . if you rotate the opiates around with different ones it cuts chances of addiction .

from 13 citizens (Petition No. EN2657)

Medicinal Cannabis

There is currently a loop hole for cronic patients to be prescribed medical cannabis with the Executive Approval form. Cancer patients fit this criteria as they can survive their cancer or be dependant on medication as their illness can last for decades. My Uncle survived his cancer for over a decade he had just started his medical cannabis trial.

I was concerned and suggested as a cronic sufferer he would be vulnerable as the drug was an unknown

and in its experimental stages. I believe that he had no idea even if the prescriber made risks clear that consuming the drug would find him walking into emergency and being told he had a heart attack and then told to go home. Which later resulted in him having more heart attacks and in the back of an Ambulance only to be kept alive on life support. Becoming conscious when loved ones came to visit only to be tranquilised and put back into a state of induced coma. Relatives consulted doctors regarding surgery on his damaged heart but doctors insisted he would have brain damage even though he was responding to the loved ones This is no way for a vulnerable Australian to be treated who worked most of his life up until his diagnosis of cancer.

We therefore ask the House to stop cronic patients being perscibed medical cannabis

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2658)

Biosecurity Act

According to the World Health Organization:

"...inadequate shelter and overcrowding are major factors in the transmission of diseases with epidemic potential such as acute respiratory infections, meningitis, typhus, cholera, scabies, etc. Outbreaks of disease are more frequent and more severe when the population density is high."

Furthermore, Population Action International has correctly noted that overpopulation is a key factor in the spread of a number of diseases, including coronaviruses; however, according to Healthline, this factor is very often overlooked by policymakers.

Given the above, the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) should include provisions for dealing with Australia's overpopulation and overcrowding crisis. By managing population numbers, the Act would also address the chronic wait times, overcrowding and ramping that is occurring across the overburdened health sector within Australia.

We therefore ask the House to include provisions within the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) for dealing with human overpopulation and overcrowding.

from 2 citizens (Petition No. EN2661)

Internet Content

Every effort must be made to protect children, presently this is not happening. The current opt-out system where parents and schools are paying for adult content blocking software on devices only works if every device and every parent is involved. Where the device protection is not applied, whether due to ignorance or financial hardship, a gate is open, and it only takes one child to share graphic material within the schoolyard and this system is flawed.

Web searches with child based content actually expose explicit images such as 'Disney princess'. The average age of children exposed to adult material continues to lower and is currently nine years. We need significant action to stop unintentional discovery and underage viewing. It's time to stop free-to-view adult content.

Existing precedence is already in place. Television is under legislation to protect child appropriate content and airtime. There is legislation about what can be advertised to children. There are protective bans on cigarette image advertisement. Yet currently it is not illegal to use explicit images as hooks visible to all ages on general web search activity.

We therefore ask the House to move to an opt-in system and stop explicit images being used as 'free bait'. All adult content should require payment to access in order to protect underage, unintentional viewing.

We petition the House of Representatives to issue legislation to ban free-to-view adult content to protect children.

from 79 citizens (Petition No. EN2662)

COVID-19: International Travel

Its unconstitutional to ban Australian citizens from entering their own country and threatening them with imprisonment.

We therefore ask the House to lift this ban immediately and allow Australian citizens to return back to their home.

from 9 citizens (Petition No. EN2663)

COVID-19: International Travel

India's current situation means that it is not at all safe for Australians who are stuck their.

It is Commonwealth of Australia's responsibility to bring its citizens back home to safety if they are unsafe in any nation.

Many of Indian Australians would see Australian government responsible for death of any Australian in India during these times.

We therefore ask the House to immediately (without waiting for 15th May) arrange safe repatriation of Australian nationals back to Australia.

from 23 citizens (Petition No. EN2664)

COVID-19: International Travel

The Biosecurity Determination registered on 30 April 2021, which prohibited Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents from returning to Australia from India is inconsistent with our legal, moral, and international obligations.

This government has willingly and knowingly, decided to roll the dice with the lives of Australians when they need its help the most. We, as Australians often stand beside one another in the name of mateship, through bushfires, floods, cyclones, and now Covid-19, we have consistently shown that our fellow Australians can rely on us to do what is needed in times of crisis. This government has shown that it can not be trusted in those times.

Australians stranded in India and other high risk countries have been left for dead by this government, we must do more for them; as they are us, and we are them. We are all Australians.

We therefore ask the House to immediately repeal the 'Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—High Risk Country Travel Pause) Determination 2021' and begin immediate repatriation of Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents from India and other high risk countries.

from 22 citizens (Petition No. EN2665)

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

The setting of immigration quotas or limits is not currently controlled within the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Under the legislation, the control regime hinges upon "actions" as defined within s 523(1). Such actions do not include the setting of immigration quotas or limits.

Section 524 addresses "government decisions" which grant government authorization for another person to undertake an "action"; however, pursuant to s 524(3), decisions to grant "government authorization" are also exuded from being "actions".

In a recent peer reviewed article in the Lancet (Vollset et al, 2020), the authors project that Australia's population will continue to grow until 2096, with growth driven primarily by overseas migration rather than replacement fertility rates.

Given that Australia is already overpopulated, with biodiversity in catastrophic decline and carbon emissions continuing to increase, the setting of immigration quotas or limits should be controlled within the EPBC Act.

We therefore ask the House to include provisions within the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) for the setting of immigration quotas or limits.

from 2 citizens (Petition No. EN2667)

Gender and Sexual Orientation

Transgender people have to pay upwards of $100K a year on surgery to affirm themselves as the opposite sex!

We therefore ask the House to use the tax payed healthcare system responsibly by adding the following surgeries for transgender people only to the list;

For MtF;

- Gender Reassignment

- Facial Feminisation

- Adams Apple Removal

- Breast Augmentation

For FtM;

- Gender Reassignment

- Breast Removal Surgery

These are to be payed by medicare and tax payer dollars.

from 89 citizens (Petition No. EN2668)

Workplace Relations

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, based transitional instrument operating after nominal date from The Australian Industrial Relations Commission

employee collective agreements

Transitional Act that sets up the situation where the Enterprise Business Agreement continues to legally operate after its nominal expiry date until it is replaced or terminated.

Item 3 of Schedule 3 of the Transitional Act

for Le Max Group 2006 expired May 2007 where employees did not consent to agreement and terms of agreement that are below General Retail Industry Award and are below Industry payment standards and excludes a meal break entitlement for 6 hour shifts provisioned under the General Retail Industry Award and other meal allowances and penalties.

****Under the GRIA if a meal break is not provisioned the employee is entitled to double time until such time as a meal break is afforded the employee

We therefore ask the House to revoke this clause so that employees can access their right to a meal break (unpaid) for working a 6 hour shift and on a Saturday (their day off from studies) and access penalty rates for hard working students as per the General Retail Industry Award

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, based transitional instrument operating after nominal date from The Australian Industrial Relations Commission

employee collective agreements

Transitional Act that sets up the situation where the Enterprise Business Agreement continues to legally operate after its nominal expiry date until it is replaced or terminated.

Item 3 of Schedule 3 of the Transitional Act

from 48 citizens (Petition No. EN2670)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is a state-owned and funded national public broadcaster. The ABC is independent of political interference in its decision making in accordance with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983. Over the recent past the government has: (i) Significantly reduced the Corporation's funding resulting in 500 job losses, significantly weakened Radio Australia and closed a number of offices and studios (ii) Revoked the contract for the ABC to provide news into Asia and the Pacific {iii) Sought to interfere in the management of the ABC by failing to appoint directors with skills and demonstrated ability and interest in promoting the charter of the ABC.

We therefore ask the House to: 1. Restore the ABC funding to at least 2013 levels 2. Restore the funding necessary for the ABC to provide news and other stories into Asia and the Pacific 3. Appoint directors who have a background and interest that would enhance the editorial independence of the ABC

from 1 citizen (Petition No. PN0506)

Petitions received.

Economy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 30 November 2020 to the former Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Christian Porter MP, referring a petition (EN2001) for a Royal Commission into the privatisation of public assets and to "ensure that the correct ratio of public to private entities exist in Australia to benefit our land all of its people".

Royal Commissions are a form of non-judicial and non-administrative governmental investigation and are only established in exceptional circumstances. Commonwealth Royal Commissions are established through the issuing of Letters Patent by the Governor-General under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). It is the Government of the day that determines the need to request a Royal Commission.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely,

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Human Rights

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 regarding the House of Representatives Petition EN2035: Review the motion to legislate a Federal Human Rights Act. The former Attorney-General has referred your correspondence to me for response, as the issues fall within my portfolio responsibilities. I appreciate this matter being brought to my attention.

Australia is founded on the rule of law and has a strong tradition of respect for the rights and freedoms of every individual. Human rights are recognised and protected across Australia through a range of laws at the federal and state and territory levels, the Australian Constitution, and the common law. Australia is committed to upholding its international legal obligations, including those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Government considers that existing mechanisms to protect and promote human rights are appropriate, and the legislation necessary to implement Australia's obligations under those international treaties is already in place. On this basis, the Government does not propose to introduce a charter or bill of rights at the federal level.

Thank you again for advising me of this petition.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Senator Stoker

Pensions and Benefits

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021, concerning a petition seeking full Centrelink payments for working grandparent carers (Petition Ministerial Referral, EN2044).

The petition referenced in your email raises the important issue of financial support for grandparent carers and appears to seek an exemption from income testing associated with family payments for them.

The Australian Government values the vital contribution of grandparent carers, who are providing a loving home for children who are unable to live with their parents. Grandparent carers may be eligible for the full range of Australian Government family assistance payments such as Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment, Child Care Subsidy and Double Orphan Pension (if the child meets the criteria of an orphan), to help with the costs of raising children.

Family Tax Benefit Part A is the main payment that assists families with the costs of raising dependent children. Family Tax Benefit Part B provides additional support per family to single parent families and couple families where the secondary earner's income is low.

Eligibility for both payments is subject to income testing requirements. This is because the need to support families, including grandparent carers, with the costs of raising children must ultimately be balanced against the need to ensure that assistance is well targeted and remains sustainable into the future.

Nevertheless, the Government offers several benefits, which specifically recognise the financial needs of grandparents caring for children. For instance, eligibility rules which limit Family Tax Benefit Part B to children aged under 13 years in couple families do not apply to grandparent carers. Family Tax Benefit Part B is payable to eligible grandparent and great grandparent carers with a youngest child aged 13 to 18 years.

Grandparent carers can also obtain a non-income tested Foster Child Health Care Card for the children in their care. To be eligible, an individual does not need to be a formal foster carer. Anyone who is caring for a child that is not their natural or adopted child may be eligible.

In addition to these programs, state and territory governments offer non-income tested allowances to non-parent carers, which provide further assistance to many grandparent carers with the costs of raising children who are unable to live with their parents.

The Grandparent Adviser Line (1800 245 965) is available to grandparent, kinship and foster carers. Grandparent Advisers can help carers even if they are not currently getting a Services Australia payment, by providing advice on services, payments and referrals to federal, state and community service providers.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me. I trust the information provided will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Glenmorgan Street: Broadband

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions concerning the request for National Broadband Network (NBN) cabling in Glenmorgan Street Brunswick East to be fixed.

NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) is accountable to the Government and to the Australian community for its performance and is building and operating the network on a commercial basis in line with the Government's Statement of Expectations. Network design is an operational matter for the company.

NBN Co advises that it completed network rehabilitation works on Glenmorgan Street in December 2020, which included copper rehabilitation and the installation of new telecommunications pit and pipe throughout the street. The company conducts its network assurance activities, pursuant to Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. As a result, consideration to heritage overlays is recognised if applicable to the works being undertaken.

As retail broadband providers are responsible for providing the service, I encourage the petitioner to raise all quality and performance issues with them. It is the retailer's responsibility to address service problems for their customers directly and to escalate to NBN Co if the problem or fault lies with the NBN network.

Thank you for bringing the petitioner's concerns to my attention. I hope the information in this letter is of some help.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher(Petition No. EN2054)

Media

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021, concerning petition number EN2061, requesting the House of Representatives investigate the fairness of the Murdoch press.

The signatories of the petition have expressed concern about the biased and unfair reporting from the Murdoch press and believe that this is working against democracy in Australia. The signatories are requesting that the House of Representatives investigate the fairness of the Murdoch press.

The Government supports a diverse and sustainable media sector. It also recognises that quality news and public interest journalism play an important role in the functioning of Australian society and democracy and is essential to informing local communities.

On 11 November 2020, the Senate referred an inquiry into the state of media diversity, independence and reliability in Australia to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee. The Committee is due to report by 4 August 2021.

The matters raised by this petition will be considered as part of this inquiry.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention. I trust the information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

COVID-19: Quarantine

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 15 February 2021 concerning petition EN2076, calling on the Australian Government to either repeal s474 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Act) or enforce it, in relation to quarantine.

On 18 March 2020, the Governor-General made the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 (Declaration) under section 475 of the Act, declaring that a human biosecurity emergency exists. During the human biosecurity emergency period, the Australian Government Minister for Health may determine emergency requirements or directions that he or she is satisfied are necessary to prevent or control the entry, emergence, establishment or spread of COVID-19 in Australian territory or a part of Australian territory.

Section 51(ix) of the Australian Constitution provides that the Australian Parliament has the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government with respect to quarantine. The powers listed under s51 are not exclusive powers and the states/territories are also able to make laws with respect to the matters listed in s51, including quarantine. If a state or territory makes a law with respect to one of those matters, the state and territory law will only be invalid to the extent it is inconsistent with a law of the Australian Government in relation to the matter.

Section 200 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 outlines the emergency powers that can be exercised by authorised officers in Victoria. The power to detain is listed as an emergency power in s200(1). Providing powers to state and territory authorised officers to act in certain circumstances is not inconsistent with s474 of the Act or any other provision of the Act and is not an attempt to delegate the Minister's power in relation to human biosecurity emergencies as set out in the Act. Instead, the Government considers that the exercise of those powers complements the emergency requirements and other action taken by the Government under the Act.

The powers within the Act have been primarily used at international borders, for establishing systems and processes to identify and manage public health threats at the point of entry.

There are currently four emergency determinations in effect under the Declaration:

restriction on the movement of cruise vessels (18 March 2020, amended 27 March 2020, amended 20 May 2020, amended 2 September 2020) .

prohibiting Australian citizens and permanent residents from outbound travel (25 March 2020)

preventing the operation of duty free stores at international terminals (29 March 2020, amended 31 July 2020)

requirement for passengers and aircrew on incoming international flights to wear a mask for the duration of a flight to Australia, and for passengers to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before departure (22 January 2021).

The Government also has a role in providing necessary funding, policy leadership, and coordination assistance during a national health emergency response. As described in the National Health Security Agreement, state and territory governments have primary operational responsibility for emergency management and public health in their respective jurisdictions. Specific measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in each state and territory in Australia have been put in place and are enforceable under the respective laws of each state and territory. Accordingly, any COVID-19 measures in place in Victoria that are specified in Victorian legislation remain enforceable.

State and territory governments' actions are based on the medical advice from their respective Chief Health Officer to allow for an appropriate response adapted to each jurisdiction's local conditions and pandemic response stage. The public health and emergency legislation in each jurisdiction imposes local measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in each state and territory, including quarantine and self-isolation, closing of non-essential businesses, and imposing requirements to wear Personal Protective Equipment (such as face masks).

If required, the quarantine power under the Act may be exercised concurrently with the states and territories . For example, under the Act, the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer may declare a human health response zone and may impose on individuals a human biosecurity control order for the purpose of managing risks to human health, such as requiring people to be quarantined.

The Australian, state and territory governments are working together to coordinate an evidence-based response to COVID-19, based on the latest medical advice. Together these actions have placed Australia in a good position globally.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Transport: Noise Pollution

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 regarding the House of Representatives petition EN2078, which requests the House to introduce a law to give pedestrians the right to forward video evidence of noisy vehicles to a national register.

The Australian Government administers the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which requires that all new road vehicles comply with national standards known as the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) before they can be offered to the market for use in transport. The ADRs are generally performance-based standards for vehicle safety, theft protection and emission control. Emission control covers noxious gases and external noise.

The ADRs, including the requirements for external noise, are broadly harmonised with international vehicle regulations. Vehicle sales in Australia represent less than one per cent of the total world production of motor vehicles. Regulation based on internationally agreed standards like the UN regulations provides consumers with access to the safest vehicles from the global market at the lowest possible cost.

Once a vehicle has been supplied to the market in Australia, responsibility for regulation passes to the relevant state or territory government. Generally speaking, states and territories require vehicles to continue to comply with ADR requirements. Responsibility for enforcement of noise requirements for vehicles in service lies with either the police or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in each state or territory.

One of the challenges with regulating vehicle noise emissions in service is that the performance of vehicles changes over time with deterioration of engines and silencers, as well as modifications made by vehicle owners. If a member of the public wishes to report a concern about the noise emitted from a particular vehicle in service, it is best for them to do this through the relevant state or territory government authority (i.e. the police or EPA). This will help these authorities to best target their enforcement activities, including to identify those vehicles that have been modified in a way which causes them to exceed acceptable noise limits.

Thank you again for your correspondence and I trust this is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Mr McCormack

Online Shopping: Country of Origin

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter of 15 February 2021 to the Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg, concerning Petition EN2081 which requests legislation to require online retailers operating in Australia to include country of origin labelling (CoOL) for all products. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Minister responsible for CoOL.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of providing consumers with country of origin information on products offered for sale in Australia. This is why we made necessary reforms to CoOL in 2016, to ensure consumers have increased transparency and information about the origin of food products. The reforms strengthened CoOL requirements for some food products, however they did not mandate CoOL for all products sold in-store or on websites.

We appreciate the groundswell of support for Australian made products in the wake of COVID- 19, and the recognition that supporting local manufacturers and producers will be a vital part of our economic recovery.

The Government is mindful of the potential costs to industry in mandating CoOL for all goods, including those sold online. Costs of such a scheme need to be weighed against the potential benefits to consumers, and consideration would need to be given to the practicalities of how laws might apply if a website was hosted outside of Australia's jurisdiction.

Mandatory labelling requirements would need to be consistent with Australia's obligations under the World Trade Organization and our Free Trade Agreements which stipulate that imported products must be treated no less favourably than domestically produced products. Any perceptions from Australia's trading partners that such requirements are inconsistent with international commitments must be carefully considered.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology

United States Presidential Election

Media

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021 regarding Petition EN2088, which relates to media independence.

I understand that the petition requests the House of Representatives "… to take necessary legislative measures to review the current code of conduct in Australian journalism and to enact effective laws to protect the freedom of information and freedom of speech for ordinary Australians."

The Morrison Government believes that a balanced, robust and independent media sector plays an important role in a healthy democracy. It is committed to policies that encourage an Australian media sector that offers competitive and diverse services.

Where media services are regulated in Australia, the framework they are subject to depends on the media platform on which they are provided. The importance of a free media is recognised under these frameworks through an emphasis on industry playing a leading role in the development and administration of content regulation.

Commercial and subscription broadcast news reporting

Most media content broadcast on commercial and subscription television and radio in Australia is regulated by co-regulatory codes of practice developed by broadcasting industry sectors in accordance with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. These co-regulatory arrangements recognise the importance of television and radio content being in line with community expectations.

The codes cover commercial free-to-air television broadcasters, subscription television broadcasters and commercial radio broadcasters and include requirements on the broadcast of news and current affairs programs.

For example, the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice provides that in broadcasting a news or current affairs program, a licensee must present factual material accurately and ensure viewpoints included in the program are not misrepresented. The Commercial TV Code also provides that in broadcasting a news program, a licensee must present news fairly and impartially and clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary and analysis. Similar requirements are included in the Subscription TV and Commercial Radio codes.

The co-regulatory codes of practice include procedures for handling complaints. Complaints about news stories, including the accuracy and neutrality in news reporting , can be made by the public and should be directed to the broadcaster in the first instance. If a complainant is unsatisfied with the response, they may refer the complaint to ACMA for investigation.

Commercial print and online news publications

Commercial print and online news publications in Australia, such as newspapers, predominately operate under self-regulatory arrangements. These recognise the importance of a print media sector in which media standards reflect community expectations.

The Australian Press Council (APC) is the self-regulatory body with responsibility for promoting standards relating to media practice. It is the principal body with responsibility for handling complaints about most major Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets as well as some independent online-only news services. Most other magazines, newspapers and associated digital outlets, including those published by West Australian Newspapers, are subject to the self-regulatory arrangements administered by the Independent Media Council (IMC).

All publications subject to the APC's remit are required to take reasonable steps to comply with the APC's Standards of Practice. The standards require, among other things, publications to ensure factual material in news reports and elsewhere is accurate and not misleading and is distinguishable from other material such as opinion. Publications must also ensure that factual material is presented with reasonable fairness and balance and that writers' expressions of opinion are not based on significantly inaccurate factual material or omission of key facts.

The IMC Code of Conduct provides, among other things, that publications must take all reasonable steps to ensure reports are honest, accurate, balanced and fair and disclose all essential facts and that reports must not supress relevant available facts or give distorting emphasis. Both codes include procedures for public complaints.

Additionally, the self-regulatory Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Journalist Code of Ethics applies to MEAA Media's journalist members. Although voluntary, this is an additional level of self-regulation that MEAA member journalists are accountable to.

ABC and SES news reporting

The ABC and SBS have content and operational independence. Parliament has guaranteed this independence so the broadcasters' decisions are free of political interference.

The Acts enabling both the ABC and SBS require their boards to ensure that the news and information that they present is accurate and impartial. Although editorially independent, the ABC and SBS Boards are required to develop codes of practice relating to programming matters and to lodge these codes with ACMA. In addition, the ABC and SBS are accountable to the Parliament through annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits and appearances before Parliamentary Committees.

There are clear rules and protections in place to support freedom of the press. The Government will continue to make appropriate legislative provisions so journalists are able to report on matters in the public interest.

Thank you for bringing the petitioners' concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

National Anthem

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, regarding petition EN2094 which requests that the Government make 'I Am Australian' the Australian National Anthem. The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf as the Minister responsible for national symbols policy.

As you are aware, on 1 January 2021, the second line of Advance Australia Fair changed from 'For we are young and free' to 'For we are one and free'.

The change was made for all Australians. Our Anthem is about us, who we are, and who we hope to be.

We live in a timeless land of ancient Indigenous Australians, and we draw together the stories of more than 300 national ancestries and language groups. We are the most successful and cohesive multicultural nation on earth. Our Anthem honours the foundations upon which our nation has been built, as well as the aspirations we share for the future.

In the past year, we have shown once again the indomitable spirit of Australians and the united effort that has always enabled us to prevail as a nation. It is time to ensure this great unity is reflected more fully in our national anthem.

'One and free' is and must be the story of every Australian and it is the way we truly Advance Australia.

The Government has no further plans to change this important national symbol.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Morton

Immigration

Dear Mr Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 enclosing Petition EN2096 concerning a jury of peers. I apologise for the delay in responding.

I understand Petition EN2096 seeks to create legislation to establish a representative jury of peers for cases referred to it by community representatives or political electives. The proposed body would be able to consider immigration cases and override Ministerial and legal decisions relating to permanent residence or protection.

While I appreciate the suggestions raised in Petition EN2096, I am confident that Australia has a robust framework for reviewing decisions and considering exceptional cases. This includes an independent review tribunal and personal Ministerial Intervention powers.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) provides independent merits review of administrative decisions made under Commonwealth laws. For migration decisions, the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) governs which decisions the AAT can review, and who may seek review of a decision.

Decisions reviewable under Part 5 or Part 7 of the Act are reviewed "on the merits", meaning the tribunal makes a new and independent decision after considering the relevant facts, law and policy. Following this consideration, the AAT may affirm a decision, vary a decision, set aside a decision and substitute a new decision, or remit a decision to the decision-maker for reconsideration.

Furthermore, where a person has not succeeded in having a decision set aside at the AAT, Ministers administering the Act also have a discretionary power under the Act to replace that decision with one that is more favourable to that person, if they consider it to be in the public interest. This power is designed for unique or exceptional circumstances - the Ministerial Intervention guidelines stipulate the types of cases that should or should not be referred for ministerial consideration.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2096 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Hawke

COVID-19: International Students

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 enclosing Petition EN2098 concerning the request for the removal of the 20-hour work limitation for international students to address the impact of declining student visa applications, for reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 23 April 2020, the former acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, announced that the Australian Government was making changes to student visa work conditions to help frontline health efforts to manage COVID-19.

These visa measures have been implemented to ensure registered aged care and disability providers can continue to supply critical services by allowing student visa holders already employed in their organisation to work more than the 40 hours per fortnight usually allowed.

These special circumstances are time limited and the enforcement of visa conditions will return to normal once we move to a new COVID Safe normal. All temporary COVID-19 visa-related measures, such as the relaxation of working hour restrictions for some international students, are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are commensurate with the challenges posed by the pandemic, while not displacing or preventing employment opportunities for Australians.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2098 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Hawke

Epilepsy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021, providing the petition EN2104 under Standing Order 209(a) and (b) to the former Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Hon Stuart Robert MP. As the Minister now responsible for the NDIS, I am providing a written response to this petition to be considered by the Standing Committee on Petitions (the Committee).

I would like to assure the Committee that the Australian Government is committed to ensuring all people with disability, including people with epilepsy, have access to a range of supports that will allow them, their families and carers to participate as valued members of society.

People with disability are able to access assistance through the NDIS if they meet the requirements set out in the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act), including age, residency and disability or early intervention requirements. Generally, a person will be eligible for the NDIS if their disability is, or is likely to be, permanent and significantly affects their communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management.

The NDIS Act does not base eligibility on types of disability or on the presence of an underlying condition, illness or injury. To this extent, a person's diagnosis and any secondary disabilities they may have are not relevant to their eligibility for the scheme and the supports they will receive in their plans, except to the extent they affect a person's communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management, and are, or are likely to be permanent. People with epilepsy can become NDIS participants and receive individualised funding for supports if they meet the requirements set out in the NDIS Act, including providing evidence of the functional impact of their disability on activities of daily living. However, not all people with epilepsy will meet the requirements in the NDIS Act.

All governments are continuing to work to resolve how the NDIS and other services (such as health services) should work together, so that people with disability receive the right services and achieve the best possible outcomes, including people with epilepsy. The NDIS is not intended or designed to replace other essential services on which people with disability and the wider population rely. This includes health services, school age education, public transport, public and social housing and community services provided by governments. Rather, all governments, including state and territory governments, have an important role in ensuring publicly funded and provided services are inclusive and accessible for all Australians, including people with epilepsy.

In this regard, the design of the NDIS reflects the Productivity Commission's recommendation that the NDIS should invest in the care and support needs of people with permanent and significant disability to assist them to live an ordinary life, recognising that it is one part of a broader system of supports. To this extent, people with epilepsy may also be eligible for other supports provided by all governments, such as the Disability Support Pension (DSP). The DSP is one type of a range of income supports provided by the Australian Government that is available for people of working age, providing a safety net for those who have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops them from working, or for those who are permanently blind.

I trust this information is of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Reynolds

United States Presidential Election

Australian Elections

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021 referring petition number EN2112 where petitioners request an audit of Australian electoral processes. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

There already exists a comprehensive system of oversight that supports Australia's electoral processes. This is led by the Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM), which conducts inquiries on matters relating to electoral laws and practices and their administration. For example, on 10 December 2020, JSCEM tabled its report on the 2019 Federal election making 27 recommendations on a broad range of electoral issues, after receiving 172 submissions and holding nine public hearings.

Additionally, the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce established in 2018 supports the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and other Australian electoral management bodies to respond to issues relating to the integrity of Australian elections. The Taskforce includes the AEC, the departments of Finance, Home Affairs, Prime Minister & Cabinet and the Australian Federal Police and is supported by Australia's national intelligence community.

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) also supports accountability and transparency through undertaking independent audits of various Commonwealth entities, including the AEC. The ANAO helps to ensure the Australian public can have confidence in the actions of Commonwealth entities, and that public resources are being used economically, efficiently, effectively and ethically.

Thank you for bringing the concerns referred to in the petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, Mr Morton

Social Security Arrangements between Australia and France

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021 concerning petition number EN2117, requesting recommencement of negotiations on a Social Security Agreement between Australia and France.

I acknowledge the strong interest from Australians living in France in progressing a Social Security Agreement between Australia and France. Australian and French officials previously held discussions about a possible agreement several years ago. However, agreement could not be reached on terms which were satisfactory to both countries.

Social security agreements can only be concluded where there is mutual interest and reciprocal terms can be agreed between the two parties.

As agreements typically represent a cost to the Australian Budget, any decision to enter further negotiations must also be carefully considered in the context of other relative spending priorities, including financial impacts and the broader economic and diplomatic benefits.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Human Rights

Dear Chair

Thank you for your referral of petition number EN2121, which was presented to the House of Representatives on 15 February 2021, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, regarding freedom of religion, blasphemy and hate speech and Australia's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This petition has been referred to the Attorney-General's portfolio as the matters raised fall within the Attorney-General's portfolio responsibilities.

The Australian Government is committed to its international human rights obligations and ensures that its laws accord with those obligations. This includes those rights that are enshrined in the ICCPR. Rights under the ICCPR are protected across Australia through a range of laws, policies and institutions at the federal and state and territory level. The Constitution and common law contain further rights protections.

In relation to the particular issues the authors have drawn to the Government's attention, I make the following comments.

Religious discrimination

The Australian Government is a strong defender of traditional rights and liberties, and is committed to protecting freedom of religion. Australia is home to a diversity of faiths, united by tolerance, mutual respect and a commitment to democratic traditions. Australia's cultural and religious diversity is a source of social and economic strength, and is a key part of Australian life.

The Government strongly believes that all Australians, regardless of their religious belief, should be able to fully participate in our society. The Government recognises that there is an opportunity to further enhance and better protect freedom of religion under Australian laws.

For this reason the Government has prepared a package of draft legislation to implement recommendations from the Expert Panel to the Religious Freedom Review (the Religious Freedom Review), which delivered its report in May 2018. This includes a proposed Religious Discrimination Bill, which would provide protection against discrimination on the basis of religious belief or activity in specified areas of public life.

Blasphemy

Blasphemy is not an offence under Commonwealth law. The Religious Freedom Review concluded that blasphemy (an offence that addresses ridicule or insult to religious groups, customs or beliefs) is out of step with a modern, tolerant, multicultural society. Indeed, blasphemy laws are out of step with the expectations of the Australian community and Australian values.

The Government considers that, where they still exist, State and Territory laws specifically prohibiting blasphemy place too great a burden on freedom of expression and infringe upon people's enjoyment of other fundamental rights.

Vilification and hate speech

All Australians have the right to live free from fear of violence and discrimination.

Australia has a range of vilification laws, which are often referred to as 'hate speech' laws. At the Commonwealth level, the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Code) makes it an offence to intentionally urge violence against a group or members of a group on the basis of race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic original or political opinion. These offences carry a maximum penalty of up to seven years imprisonment.

The Code also includes criminal offences for using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. The offences are broad and applied consistently nationwide and can be investigated and prosecuted by state and territory authorities.

It is important to note that Australia is home to many cultures and faiths. 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.

Thank you again for bringing this petition to the Government's attention. I trust this information is of assistance to the authors.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Senator Stoker

Tudge, Hon. Alan

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 to the former Attorney-General, the Hon Christian Porter MP, regarding Petition EN2127, which requests that the House of Representatives remove the Hon Alan Tudge MP from Parliament. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition on the former Attorney-General's behalf.

The authors of this petition contend that Mr Tudge is a dual citizen and therefore incapable of sitting as a Member of the House of Representatives under section 44(i) of the Constitution. Section 44(i) makes a person who 'is under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power, or is a subject or a citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or a citizen of a foreign power ... incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or as a member of the House of Representatives'.

The Government does not provide legal advice to members of the public about the application of constitutional eligibility criteria to particular parliamentarians. However, there is some general information available about the application of section 44(i). In particular, the Australian Electoral Commission's publication Constitutional Disqualifications and Intending Candidates on the Commission website includes information on section 44(i). A copy of this publication is available online at

http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/backgrounders/constitutional-digsual-intending-candidates.htm.

Section 47 of the Constitution provides that, '[u]ntil the Parliament otherwise provides', questions about the qualifications of senators or members of the House of Representatives are to be determined by the relevant House. Parliament has otherwise provided in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. Any question of section 44 incapability is to be determined by the House of Representatives or Senate itself under section 47 of the Constitution, unless either House resolves to refer the matter to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

Following a number of High Court cases concerning parliamentarians who were dual citizens and section 44(i) of the Constitution in 2017 and 2018, the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters considered reform options for section 44. The Committee's report, published in May 2018, is accessible online here:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters/Inquiry_into_matters_relating_to_Section 44_of_the_Constitution/Report_1.

Following that report, the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 was amended to require candidates for federal elections to submit a qualification checklist when nominating. Also, the House of Representatives and the Senate adopted resolutions introducing a procedure for a Committee of the relevant House to investigate issues concerning a parliamentarians' citizenship before the House refers a question about their qualifications for determination by the High Court.

There has been no such investigation of the qualifications of Mr Tudge by the House of Representatives Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests.

Thank you for bringing this matter to the former Attorney-General's attention. I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Senator Stoker

Members of Parliament: Entitlements

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Response to petition number: EN2131

I refer to your letter of 25 February 2021 requesting a response to a petition asking the House to limit resources strictly to those entitlements earned by former parliamentarians as a course of their previous public service.

The Remuneration Tribunal is responsible for determining the remuneration of former members of parliament which is set out in the Remuneration Tribunal (Members of Parliament) Determination 2020 (the Determination).

The Determination includes a Resettlement Allowance which is paid in certain circumstances to parliamentarians who involuntarily retire. The terms of the Resettlement Allowance are set out in section 4.7 of the Determination which is extracted below.

The Resettlement Allowance was introduced in 2006 to assist former senators and members re-establish themselves in the workforce. The introduction of the Allowance followed amendments to the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 in 2001, and subsequent changes to superannuation accumulation arrangements introduced under the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004.

One impact of these legislative changes was that some senators and members, who involuntarily left the Parliament, were unable to obtain access to any part of their pension or superannuation benefit to help meet the immediate costs of re-establishing themselves in the workforce.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Morton

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition (EN2132) - prevent airlines and other travel companies from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) generally allows businesses to set terms and conditions relating to the purchase of their goods or services, provided these businesses do not mislead or deceive consumers, or breach other protections in the ACL. So long as a vaccination requirement is made clear to consumers at the time of purchase, it is unlikely such a requirement would breach the ACL. If a consumer has already purchased a good or service (such as an airline ticket), the business should not impose a vaccination requirement retrospectively.

International human rights law recognises that restrictions on rights, such as the right to freedom of movement, may be limited in certain circumstances, including responding to a public health crisis. However, to strike an appropriate balance, such measures must be necessary and proportionate to the evaluated risk, must respect people's dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and be in place for the shortest time possible. The Australian Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic aims to protect the health and wellbeing of all Australians, their livelihoods and jobs, and ensure that Australia is positioned to emerge strong and resilient following the pandemic.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 regarding petition number EN2147. The petition requests a Royal Commission into veteran suicide including investigating agencies whose purpose is to support veterans.

As you will be aware, on 19 April 2021 the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced the Australian Government's intention to establish a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide from 1 July 2021.

The Royal Commission is expected to examine the systemic issues and any common themes in past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans and the experience of members and veterans who may continue to be at risk of suicide. This includes all aspects of service in the ADF and the experience of those transitioning; the availability and quality of health and support services; pre-service and post-service issues for members and veterans; members' and veterans' social and family contexts, such as family breakdown, as well as housing and employment issues for members and veterans.

The Prime Minister has asked me to lead a public consultation process around these themes to inform the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission. The Attorney-General, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, has portfolio responsibility for Royal Commissions and the administration of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). I will provide feedback from the public consultation process to the Attorney-General to lead the process for the drafting of the Letters Patent for the establishment of the Royal Commission. ADF members, veterans and their families, as well as other interested stakeholders, are also able to provide feedback directly to the Attorney-General's Department through its website.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Media

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021, concerning petition number EN2152, requesting the House of Representatives investigate the influence of Rupert Murdoch on Australia's media industry.

The signatories of the petition have expressed concern about the influence of the Murdoch-owned News Corporation (News Corp) in Australia, citing a misleading article published about the principle petitioner. The signatories are requesting that the House of Representatives investigate the influence of News Corp in Australia.

The Government supports a diverse and sustainable media sector. It also recognises that quality news and public interest journalism play an important role in the functioning of Australian society and democracy and is essential to informing local communities.

Commercial print and online news publications in Australia, such as those operated by News Corp, predominately operate under self-regulatory arrangements. These are intended to recognise the importance of a print media sector in which media standards reflect community expectations.

The Australian Press Council (APC) is the self-regulatory industry body with responsibility for promoting standards relating to media practice. It is the principal body with responsibility for handling complaints about most major Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets as well as some independent online-only news services. Most other magazines, newspapers and associated digital outlets, including those published by West Australian Newspapers, are subject to the self-regulatory arrangements administered by the Independent Media Council (IMC).

All publications that are subject to the APC's remit are required to take reasonable steps to comply with the APC's Standards of Practice. The standards require, among other things, publications to ensure that factual material in news reports and elsewhere is accurate and not misleading and is distinguishable from other material such as opinion. Publications must also ensure that factual material is presented with reasonable fairness and balance and that writers' expressions of opinion are not based on significantly inaccurate factual material or omission of key facts.

The IMC Code of Conduct provides, among other things, that publications must take all reasonable steps to ensure reports are honest, accurate, balanced and fair and disclose all essential facts and that reports must not supress relevant available facts or give distorting emphasis. Both codes include procedures for public complaints. Additionally, the self-regulatory Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Journalist Code of Ethics applies to MEAA Media' s journalist members. Although voluntary, this is an additional level of self-regulation that MEAA member journalists are accountable to.

On 11 November 2020, the Senate referred an inquiry into the state of media diversity, independence and reliability in Australia to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee. The matters raised by this petition are expected to be considered as part of the Senate inquiry. The Committee is due to report by 4 August 2021.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention. I trust the information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 regarding petition number EN2154. The petition requests a Royal Commission into the Department of Veterans' Affairs, veteran services, supports and advocates.

As you will be aware, on 19 April 2021 the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced the Australian Government's intention to establish a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide from 1 July 2021.

The Royal Commission is expected to examine the systemic issues and any common themes in past deaths by suicide of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans and the experience of members and veterans who may continue to be at risk of suicide. This includes all aspects of service in the ADF and the experience of those transitioning; the availability and quality of health and support services; pre-service and post-service issues for members and veterans; members' and veterans' social and family contexts, such as family breakdown, as well as housing and employment issues for members and veterans.

The Prime Minister has asked me to lead a public consultation process around these themes to inform the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission. The Attorney-General, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, has portfolio responsibility for Royal Commissions and the administration of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). I will provide feedback from the public consultation process to the Attorney-General to lead the process for the drafting of the Letters Patent for the establishment of the Royal Commission. ADF members, veterans and their families, as well as other interested stakeholders, are also able to provide feedback directly to the Attorney-General's Department through its website.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Airport Noise

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 regarding petition number EN2155 concerning a permit issued to allow eligible freight jet aircraft to operate during curfew periods at Gold Coast Airport.

Section 8 of the Air Navigation (Gold Coast Airport Curfew) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) prohibits an aircraft taking off from or landing at Gold Coast Airport during a curfew period unless permitted under Part 3 or 4 of the Regulations. Part 3 of the Regulations, in particular sections 12 and 13, provide that four movements of eligible freight jet aircraft are permitted during curfew periods in a single week, but these can only be used by the operator of an aircraft if they hold a permit under section 13.

As the Regulations allow four curfew movements, and specify the type of aircraft that can undertake, the decision-making is primarily focussed on which operator is permitted to operate the aircraft (i.e. allocating the available movements equitably among operators).

On 17 September 2020, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications received an application from Qantas Freight Enterprises, requesting four jet aircraft freight movements each week during the curfew period at Gold Coast Airport. The application sought the movements to assist with freight operations in the region following the substantial reduction in passenger services, which were down by around 80 per cent due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID, a significant amount of freight would be carried on the passenger services but following the reduction, there was insufficient movements to fully meet the freight task.

On 25 September 2020, a delegate from the Department, under section 13(1) of the Regulations granted a permit to Qantas Freight Enterprises to operate four jet aircraft freight movements each week during curfew periods at Gold Coast Airport to assist in managing the freight task, in particular time sensitive overnight items.

The decision ensured that adequate freight connectivity was maintained, producing positive economic benefits to the region for local businesses.

The delegate considered the noise impact on the community with the introduction of these operations and asked the aircraft operator, Gold Coast Airport and Airservices Australia to inform the Gold Coast Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) and Airport Noise Abatement Consultative Committee (ANACC) of the permit and the noise implications for surrounding communities before flights commenced. Information regarding this permit was provided to the ANACC meeting on 15 October 2020 and CACG meeting on 4 November 2020.

The delegate granted weekly freight quota movements under the permit between 5 October 2020 and 25 June 2021. Conditions were included in the permit which require the aircraft to comply with Gold Coast Airport Noise Abatement Procedures to reduce the noise impact on the surrounding community.

The applicant and the airport operator conducted a number of engagement activities after the permit was provided. These included:

A joint Qantas Airways and Gold Coast Airport letter dated 30 September 2020 to the CACG and ANACC highlighting the details of the permit and noting the Administrative Appeals Tribunal review of decision process, with a deadline of 23 October 2020.

Community engagement and discussion at the ANACC on 15 October 2020 and the CACG on 5 November 2020.

A media statement about the service highlighting the number of services and community benefits of these services.

A joint Gold Coast Airport and Australia Post news story about the services in November 2020, which was published in the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Responding to complaints received about the services once operations commenced.

Qantas Airways engaging with members of parliament at the local, State and Australian Government levels about the services prior to the commencement of the service and after commencement, providing key details about the service and detailing how complaints were being managed. The community engagement has been ongoing throughout the operations.

The permit commenced on 5 October 2020 and expires on 25 June 2021. The Department will continue to monitor the level of services at the Gold Coast Airport leading up to expiry to determine whether any further permits are required.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention and I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Mr McCormack

Gender Based Pronouns

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 to the former Attorney-General, the Hon Christian Porter MP, regarding a petition to remove multiple marital status female pronouns from all documentation. The former Attorney-General has referred your correspondence to me for response, as the issues raised fall within my portfolio responsibilities.

The Australian Government is committed to eliminating discrimination against women. The Federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of sex, marital or relationship status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, breastfeeding and family responsibilities in certain areas of public life.

It is not the Government's role to mandate the use of any titles. The Marriage Act 1961 does not require, create or impose any titles on individuals upon marriage. The use of titles is a matter of individual choice, based on social, professional and linguistic practices. A married person is free to use whichever title they wish. In regards to government forms and records, the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender do not provide specific direction on what titles should be used. However, options should be provided for individuals to select their preferred title or use no title at all.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Senator Stoker (Petition No. EN2162)

Southern Moreton Bay Islands

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2163 on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Your correspondence has been referred to me for a response.

I note that the Petition seeks a revision to the classification of the Southern Morton Bay Island (SMBI) group in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), and specifically the Remoteness Areas, due to the perceived impact on federal funding decisions.

The ASGS and Remoteness Areas are created by the ABS to enable the release of statistical information to inform research and policy analysis relating to people and businesses in communities across Australia. The ABS advises me that the ASGS itself, and the Remoteness Areas structure within it, are not designed with funding programs in mind.

The Remoteness Areas approximate access to services and contain five categories: Major Cities of Australia; Inner Regional Australia; Outer Regional Australia; Remote Australia and Very Remote Australia. The islands within the Southern Morton Bay Island group have different classifications, with Macleay Island classified as Inner Regional, and Lamb Island, Karragarra Island and Russell Island as Outer Regional in the ASGS editions released in alignment with both the 2011 and 2016 Census.

The process for defining the Remoteness Areas has been consistently applied since 2006, following a consultation process in 2001. The Remoteness Areas were last updated in March 2018 (following the 2016 Census) and are updated every 5 years in alignment with the Census of Population and Housing. .

Australian, state and territory government agencies have incorporated Remoteness Areas into their eligibility criteria for government programs and reporting. For example, the Department of Health has incorporated the ABS definition of Remoteness Areas into the Modified Monash Model (MMM), which is used to inform eligibility criteria for a number of health programs. The MMM contains seven categories, and also considers the distance offshore of populated islands. The Department of Health would be best placed to address queries related to eligibility for federal funding of health programs.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Film Industry

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021 in relation to Petition EN2177 concerning grant processes in the Australian screen industry.

Screen Australia is the Australian Government's primary agency for supporting Australian film, television, documentary and digital media makers. It provides direct investment in screen development and production and understands the importance of independent screen producers to the production ecosystem.

There have been a number of reviews and consultations undertaken on support for the screen sector and its appropriateness, including the recent process to consult on the Supporting Australian Stories on our Screens: Options Paper. This process resulted in additional funding of $33 million to support Screen Australia for drama, documentary and children's content.

Funding under Screen Australia's grant programs is highly contested. In 2019-20, Screen Australia processed 2,077 funding applications of which 518 were successful. Screen Australia's funding programs support a diversity of stories through development and production investments across a range of platforms that resonate with audiences locally and internationally.

A number of Screen Australia funding programs require that producers demonstrate that there is an acceptable offer to exhibit the project in cinemas in Australia, and an acceptable offer to represent the project for Rest of World (ROW) sales. This requirement ensures that there is a genuine intention for the cinematic release of the productions that are funded. While it is a requirement that finance is in place and a distributor and international sales agent are attached, there is some discretion for low-budget projects. Applicants are encouraged to contact Screen Australia's Program Operations team on 1800 507 901 before submitting an application to discuss any eligibility questions and ensure all the required supporting material is in place.

In addition to production funding, Screen Australia offers a broad range of funding programs to support the development and marketing of Australian screen content as well as for the development of Australian talent and screen production businesses.

The Australian Government provides other avenues of support for film and television production. The Australian Screen Production Incentive (ASPI) is the Government's primary mechanism for providing support to the screen industry. Comprising the Producer Offset, Location Offset and Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Offset, the ASPI provides taxation rebates for expenditure on eligible productions.

State and territory governments also provide support for screen development and production through a range of mechanisms. Further information relating to each of the state agencies can be found at www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/filming-australia.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2177 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

National Security

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021 regarding Petition EN2181, which relates to truth in political advertising.

I understand that the petition requests the House of Representatives to "create laws banning dishonest political advertising in Australia."

The Morrison Government recognises the importance of advertisements being legal, honest, truthful and not offensive to their audience. There are a number of self-regulatory arrangements in place for advertising, which are intended to strike a balance between legitimate commercial interests and appropriate community safeguards.

The content of advertisements in Australia is predominantly subject to self-regulatory arrangements. These are underpinned by codes of practice developed by the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), the advertising industry peak body, including the AANA Code of Ethics. Advertising complaints are administered by Ad Standards. Ad Standards assess the advertising complaints it receives to determine whether they are eligible for consideration by the Ad Standards Community Panel (the Panel).

Although the AANA Code of Ethics has provisions about the discrimination and vilification of a person or a section of the community on certain grounds, including their political beliefs, the code does not consider the truthfulness or accuracy of political advertising. More information is available at the Ad Standards website: adstandards.com.au/issues/political-and-election-advertising.

If a member of the public has specific concerns about the truth or accuracy of a particular political advertisement, they should raise these concerns directly with the relevant advertiser and/or their member of parliament.

Industry self-regulation provides a flexible approach to meeting the challenges of the ever-evolving advertising, marketing and media industry, along with changing consumer expectations. The self-regulatory framework reflects that it should be advertisers who bear the primary responsibility for the content of their advertisements. Further information about the advertising content self-regulatory arrangements is available on the Ad Standards website at adstandards.com.au/about/self-regulation.

Thank you for bringing the petitioners' concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Welfare

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 15 February 2021 about petition EN2185 and the Cashless Debit Card (CDC).

The CDC supports people, families and communities by ensuring income support payments are not spent on items that can cause social harm. This includes alcohol, drugs and gambling products. The CDC also assists as a useful budgeting tool to provide participants with assistance to budget better for their circumstances. In conjunction with other reforms, the CDC can also help stabilise the circumstances of the individual for whom drug, alcohol and gambling addiction are an issue, enabling them to seek and take up education and employment opportunities.

The CDC is a sophisticated Visa Debit Card that can be used at around one million EFTPOS terminals across Australia and supports people to spend their income support payment on essential items. The CDC can be used for online shopping and making direct debits and transfers. It also offers new technologies such as contactless payments and a mobile phone banking application.

The CDC applies to income support payments in the Ceduna region in South Australia, the East Kimberley and Goldfields region in Western Australia, the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and Cape York regions in Queensland, and the Northern Territory. It does not apply to income support payment recipients, or other individuals, outside of these locations.

Further information on the CDC is available at www.dss.gov.au/cashlessdebitcard.

Thank you again for writing.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Compulsory Voting

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021 referring petition EN2191. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

I note the petition, which requests that the House of Representatives reject any legislative amendments based on recommendations from the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters' (JSCEM) Report on the conduct of the 2019 Federal Election and matters related thereto (the Report).

In recent years, successful reforms to Australia's electoral system have followed work conducted by the JSCEM. The JSCEM reports are informed by public hearings and submissions. For example, on 10 December 2020, JSCEM tabled its report on the 2019 Federal election making 27 recommendations on a broad range of electoral issues, after receiving 172 submissions and holding nine public hearings. The Government is considering each of these recommendations, and will provide a response to the Report in due course.

I am unaware of any recommendation from the Report that suggest legislative amendments to remove compulsory voting in Australia. The Government supports compulsory voting as it strengthens our democratic process and ensures that the vast majority of citizens actively participate in elections.

Thank you for bringing the concerns referred to in the petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, Mr Morton

Elections

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 15 February 2021 referring petition EN2203 relating to voter identification requirements and early mail voting. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

I note the petition, which requests that Australian electors be required to present photographic identification at polling booths and the stopping of early voting of electors without special approval from the Australian Electoral Commission.

The Government is committed to safeguarding Australia's electoral system, and considers voter confidence in election processes imperative to the functioning of our democracy. While reforms to mandate voter identification could be one method to provide additional confidence, such a policy would require legislative amendment, and appears unlikely to attract bipartisan support at this time.

Fortunately, voter identification is not the only mechanism available to increase confidence in our electoral system. As part of the 2020-21 Budget measure Electoral Commission - ICT modernisation, the Government has provided $96.7 million over three years to commence the modernisation of the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) ICT systems and infrastructure, providing further safeguards to protect the integrity of federal elections and improve services to Australian voters. Further funding of $26.8 million was provided in the 2020-21 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook measure AEC – PollingPlace Technology to support the continued rollout of what are referred to as 'Electronic Certified Lists' (ECLs), which allow polling booths across the country to communicate in real-time. This ensures voters marked off the roll in one area are prevented from voting again elsewhere, catching out instances of multiple-voting in federal elections.

This is being achieved administratively, without the need for legislative change. Australia is fortunate as a democratic nation to experience few instances of voter fraud, and this investment in technology is designed to keep it that way. We continue to review measures on how best to ensure the integrity of voting, so Australians can continue to have unwavering trust in their federal elections.

The Government is actively considering the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) report from its inquiry into the conduct of the 2019 Federal Election, which was tabled on 10 December 2020. Among the 27 recommendations, JSCEM recommended:

the Government consider options for electors to present acceptable identification to be issued with an ordinary pre-poll or election day vote; and

the Australian Electoral Commission, as part of its existing election advertising campaign, remind voters of the need to meet legislated criteria for exercising a pre-poll or postal vote.

The Government will respond to the JSCEM's report in due course.

Thank you for bringing the matters referred to in this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, Mr Morton

No Call Register

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021 concerning Petition EN2227 about the automatic inclusion of all phone numbers (landline and mobile) on the Do Not Call Register (the Register).

I sympathise with the petitioners' frustration generated by unsolicited telemarketing calls from energy companies, particularly from solar providers.

Australians can opt out of most telemarketing calls by registering their numbers on the Register. If the petitioners have not done so already, I would recommend they list their numbers on the Register to help minimise the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls they receive. To register, visit www.donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. Registration is free and is valid indefinitely, though may take up to 30 days to be fully effective.

Under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006, an organisation must not make a telemarketing call, or cause a telemarketing call to be made, to a number listed on the Register unless the call is made by an exempt organisation or if consent, express or inferred, has been given. The legislation applies to all marketers, whether located in Australia or overseas, who call or send a fax to an Australian fixed line or mobile telephone number.

Thank you for bringing the concerns raised in Petition EN2227 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Multiculturalism

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 enclosing Petition EN2232 concerning removing reference in legislation to multiculturalism.

Australia is a prosperous and socially cohesive democracy. We have one of the world's most tolerant and thriving multicultural societies. Present day Australia owes its strength and prosperity in no small part to the economic and social contributions of the successive generations of migrants coming to our shores.

All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Keeping Australians together is a key priority of the Australian Government. Australia's strong social cohesion underpins our prosperous and united society, and is a tangible reflection of our inclusive values, national identity and multicultural success.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2232 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Hawke

Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 2018

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 to the former Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, concerning Petition EN2256 - Reforms to the Redress of Grievance and Defence inquiry processes.

The welfare of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families is of paramount concern to me and Defence leadership. I recognise that complaint and inquiry processes can be challenging. The Department of Defence and other agencies provide current and former ADF personnel and their families a range of assistance including mental health, medical, legal, pastoral and social work services.

I am committed to ensuring that Defence has a fair, equitable and efficient military justice system that resolves issues in a manner that is timely and sensitive to the welfare of members of the ADF and other people affected by military justice processes. It must also provide the right balance between individual rights, the maintenance of military discipline and operational effectiveness.

In the last seven years Defence has progressed significant reforms to improve the management of incidents, administrative inquiry processes and the redress of grievance system. These reforms address the issues raised in the petition.

On 8 November 2011, Defence commissioned a review of all inquiry, investigation, review and audit systems, processes and structures across Defence. The Re-Thinking Systems of Inquiry, Investigation, Review and Audit report looked holistically at arrangements across all of Defence's ADF, APS and integrated workplaces, and proposed models for reform from a 'first principles' perspective.

Key reforms since 2014 have:

simplified incident reporting arrangements for commanders and managers and provided a single system for reporting incidents

provided commanders and managers with flexible options for fact finding that are adaptable to the circumstances and in proportion to the scale of issues under consideration

removed unnecessary formality and complexity from decision-making, empowering commanders and managers to apply judgment, manage risk, and be accountable for their decisions

formalised training, overseen by the Military Law Centre, for staff who conduct fact finding and statutory inquiries

enhanced the independence of the Inspector-General of the ADF (IGADF) from the ordinary chain of command through legislative reform

transformed the redress of grievance process into a more streamlined process overseen by the independent IGADF

transferred responsibility for inquiry into Service-related deaths to the IGADF.

The reforms outlined above have resulted in more timely decision-making, less complexity and formality in most cases, reduced timelines for resolution of redress of grievance, and provided greater oversight and accountability. For example, the total average time take to finalise grievances is now 85 days (with a median of 63 days), compared to an average time, prior to 2016, of 116 days at the unit level, 498 days at the first level of review by a Service Chief, and 818 days at second level of review by the Chief of Defence Force.

Defence values mediation as a mechanism to resolve workplace complaints, recognising that early intervention strategies empower individuals to proactively work toward resolution at the lowest appropriate level. A range of dispute resolution options are available to all Defence personnel, regardless of ADF rank, employee classification or contractor status.

Readily accessible support and guidance is offered through qualified and extensively trained alternative dispute practitioners and a comprehensive network of workplace behaviour advisors located across Australia to foster early resolution of disputes and effective management of complaints. Alternative dispute resolution options include:

Interactive Problem Solving

Conflict Coaching

Facilitated Conversation

Mediation

Group Facilitation

Defence is currently trialling a new approach, through the Improved Complaint Handling Trial, to ensure that commanders and individuals are supported and encouraged to consider alternative resolution options early in the complaints process.

Defence is a large and complex organisation that conducts a wide range of activities and Defence commanders and managers receive and deal with thousands of Incident Reports each year. For the vast majority of incidents, Defence commanders and managers undertake routine fact finding activities to support their decision-making and manage incidents.

For a small number of more complex incidents, the commander may appoint a statutory inquiry, such as an Inquiry Officer Inquiry, under the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 2018 (the regulations). For example, 25 Inquiry Officer Inquiries were commenced or completed in the financial year 2019-2020. The majority of these inquiries were completed within six months.

The purpose of an administrative inquiry is to facilitate the making of decisions relating to the Defence Force by providing accurate, reliable and timely information. Consistent with the practice of Commonwealth administrative tribunals and inquiries, Defence statutory inquiries are not bound by the rules of evidence, legal forms or technicalities. The regulations specify that inquiries must be conducted fairly and comply with rules of procedural fairness. All inquiry reports are subject to mandatory legal review before submission to the appointing authority.

The regulations contain both protections and obligations for witnesses. Witnesses who give evidence before a Defence inquiry are protected against reprisals, liability in civil proceedings and self-incrimination. These protections are important as witnesses are under an obligation to answer questions. However, the regulations also make it an offence to give false evidence to a Defence inquiry, and evidence given by a witness can be used in a prosecution for giving false testimony. Witness testimony is rarely, if ever, subject to legal professional privilege. It is in the public interest to provide witnesses with these protections, as a balance against the obligation to answer questions, and to facilitate the ability of Defence to obtain information on serious, sensitive or complex matters.

The military justice system is overseen by the IGADF, a statutorily appointed position established by the Defence Act 1903, empowered to inquire into matters concerning the Defence Force, including the military justice system and deaths of ADF members. The IGADF independently exposes and examines failures and flaws in the military justice system. ADF members can make submissions to the IGADF about any matter relating to military justice. Accordingly, complaints regarding Defence statutory inquiries can be raised with the IGADF. The IGADF also directly oversees the redress of grievance system, through which an ADF member can complain about matters affecting their service in the ADF.

Further, the Defence Force Ombudsman, who is not part of the Department of Defence, is also empowered to investigate complaints about actions and decisions of Defence arising from present or past service. Ordinarily, the Defence Force Ombudsman will investigate a complaint where internal review mechanisms have been exhausted. As an example of the improvements made by Defence in managing applications for redress of grievance, since 2016 complaints to the Defence Force Ombudsman relating to delays in resolving redress of grievance have markedly declined.

Defence is continuing to implement important programs to enhance our military justice system. Key ongoing initiatives include:

Enhancing assurance of the military justice system, setting baseline requirements against which assurance monitoring is conducted, and seeking process and efficiency improvements across the military justice system.

Progressing (through the Defence Enterprise Resource Planning Program) the development of a simplified, integrated and standardised enterprise case management system for entering, tracking, resolving and reporting personnel related incidents and cases relating to integrity, legal and audit matters. This capability will enhance the collection of relevant and targeted metrics to support the continuous monitoring and improvement of the military justice system.

Expanding the Improved Complaint Handling Trial to support resolution of complaints at the lowest appropriate level.

Updating the Administrative Inquiries Manual to further embed reforms to Defence inquiries, emphasising timeliness and support to persons impacted by inquiries.

These comprehensive and methodical reforms have enhanced the military justice system so that it is more equitable and timely, with appropriate checks and balances in place to maintain effective discipline and operational effectiveness, while safeguarding rights and remaining sensitive to individual welfare.

The recent reforms are ongoing and the matters raised in Petition EN2256 are noted in that context. I thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Defence, Mr Dutton

Telecommunications

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter dated 16 March 2021 concerning Petition EN2270 which raises concerns about Optus' customer service.

The Morrison Government's role in the telecommunications regime is to establish the legislative and regulatory framework within which service providers operate. The Government recognises the reliance Australians place on telecommunications services and is committed to delivering a fit-for-purpose framework that suitably protects the interests of consumers.

The Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code) provides benchmarks for consumer safeguards in sales and service, contracts, billing, changing suppliers and complaints handling. The TCP Code is designed to protect consumer rights and to make clear the obligations of telephone and internet service providers.

In addition, the Telecommunications (Consumer Complaints Handling) Industry Standard 2018 establishes the rules and guidelines for service providers' complaints handling processes. Service providers must advise customers of their entitlements when lodging a complaint and have a process to manage, monitor, analyse, record and report on the complaints they receive .

Further information about these and other existing telecommunications consumer protections is available on the website of the communications regulator the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at www.acma.gov.au/how-law-protects-telecommunications-customers.

Consumers who have a concern about their phone or internet service that they are unable to resolve directly with their service provider can seek assistance from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). The TIO provides a free independent dispute resolution service. The TIO aims to settle disputes in a fair, objective and non-bureaucratic way having regard not only to the law and to good industry practice, but also to what it considers is fair and reasonable. The TIO can be contacted by phone on 1800 062 058 or via its website at www.tio.com.au.

The Government has been undertaking a comprehensive review of existing telecommunications consumer protections. The safeguards framework is being updated where necessary to reflect the extensive transformation that has occurred over the last 20 years driven by new technologies, increased competition, rapidly changing consumer preferences and the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

The Consumer Safeguards Review is examining the protections needed to enable consumers to connect to services and have faults repaired in a timely manner; exercise informed choice when selecting products and services; be treated fairly by their service provider; and have access to an effective complaints handling and redress scheme if things go wrong.

The first set of reforms from the review (Part A - complaints handling and redress) are largely complete which include the TIO strengthening its governance, operations and relationship with ACMA.

The second tranche of reforms (Part B - service reliability) are being progressed. The Government has recently consulted on proposed new wholesale service reliability rules and ACMA has also consulted on potential future retail level requirements. There is ongoing engagement with industry and consumer groups to inform this work.

The final part of the review (Part C - choice and fairness) is looking at choice and fairness in the consumer-telco relationship. This includes looking at telecommunications-specific consumer protection rules and how they are made and enforced. The Government is considering reform options following public consultations. Further information is available at www.communications.gov.au/consumer-safeguards-review.

Thank you for bringing the petitioners' concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Superannuation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your personal representation, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning petition EN2279, which has called for the compulsory elements of the superannuation system to be brought to a referendum. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

The Government has no plans to take the compulsory elements of the superannuation system to a referendum. Superannuation and retirement income policy is the responsibility of the elected Government and changes to superannuation law can be appropriately made through the Parliament.

Additionally, the recently released the Retirement Income Review confirmed that "the Australian retirement income system is effective, sound and its costs are broadly sustainable" (page 17 of the Review's report).

The Review was prepared by an independent panel and establishes a comprehensive fact base that will improve understanding of how the retirement income system operates, better informing public policy and the retirement outcomes delivered to Australians. The Review can be found on the Treasury website: www.treasury.gov.au.

Thank you for bringing these important issues to the Government's attention. The Government welcomes the petitioners' interest in economic policy and appreciates the consideration that they have given to these matters.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Senator Hume

COVID 19: Australians Overseas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your emails of 19 and 22 March 2021 to Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, regarding a number of petitions presented to the House of Representatives in relation to international passenger arrival caps and related issues. These include petitions EN2282, EN2328, EN2382, EN2384, EN2361, EN2330 and EN2324. As the matters raised within these petitions fall within my portfolio responsibilities, the petitions were forwarded to me for consideration.

As I advised in my response of 30 March 2021 (Ref: MC21-000165 regarding EN1710) to the Committee, the Australian Government has a taken a number of actions to assist the return of Australians currently overseas including a range of assistance measures available through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Since then I can advise that the Australian Government has agreed with the Northern Territory Government to the further expansion of the Howard Springs quarantine facility to accommodate up to 2,000 international passenger arrivals. The Australian Government has also agreed to continue supporting repatriation flights from a number of overseas destinations to Australia, through to the end of 2021.

I am also pleased to advise that two-way quarantine free travel commenced between Australia and New Zealand on 19 April 2021. The Trans-Tasman is Australia's busiest international aviation market, with over seven million passengers on the route in the year ending January 2020 before the severe effects of COVID-19 hit international aviation. Other travel corridors will be considered when the health and expert advice says that it is safe to do so.

Thank you for bringing these petitions to my attention and I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Mr McCormack

COVID-19: Australians Overseas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2283 concerning approval to remove the current exemption process for partners and to remove the weekly arrival caps. Your correspondence was referred to me on 30 March 2021 as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As you know, to protect Australians from the outbreak of COVID-19, the Australian Government has progressively announced travel restrictions that limit travel to Australia. Until further notice, there is a prohibition on all foreign nationals seeking to travel to Australia, unless they fall within certain exempt categories or have been granted an individual exemption by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Mr Michael Outram APM, or authorised decision-makers.

As outlined in the former Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Peter Dutton MP's, response of 25 January 2021, to Petition EN1896 requesting overseas partners be permitted to return to Australia, immediate family members of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia, are exempt from Australia's travel restrictions.

Spouses, de facto partners, dependent children and legal guardians are all considered to be immediate family members for the purpose of exemptions to Australia's travel restrictions. Partner (subclasses 100, 309, 801 and 820) and Child (subclasses 101, 102 and 445) visa holders are able to come to Australia and do not need to request an exemption.

Immediate family members who hold a temporary visa, or do not yet hold a valid visa, must provide documentary evidence of their relationship to the Department of Home Affairs for assessment before seeking to travel to Australia. This can be done through the exemption request process via the Department's website at: https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep.

You will also no doubt be aware that the caps on international passenger arrivals is aligned with the number of places available in the mandatory quarantine facilities administered by the state and territory governments. We are looking at how to begin recommencing travel and appreciate the benefits open borders will bring, but it will be a gradual process informed by health advice.

Protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home, especially vulnerable Australians, remains the Government's priority.

Further information on travel exemptions is available on the Department's website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2283 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Immigration

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2313 concerning seeking the grant of an exemption for a PhD student and their family to travel to Australia. Your correspondence was referred to me on 30 March 2021 as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As you know, to protect Australians from the outbreak of COVID-19, the Australian Government has progressively announced travel restrictions that limit travel to Australia. Until further notice, there is a prohibition on all foreign national's seeking to travel to Australia, unless they fall within certain exempt categories or have been granted an individual exemption by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Mr Michael Outram APM, or authorised decision-makers.

The travel restrictions have been successful in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, and were implemented on the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

A range of matters are considered in determining if the individual circumstances of an applicant are compassionate and compelling. The circumstances that are generally considered to satisfy the requirements for the approval of an individual exemption are outlined in the Commissioner's Guidelines and the Inward Travel Restrictions Operation Directive available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid 19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions.

The guidelines notes that the Commissioner will personally consider travel exemption requests for people who are enrolled in an Australian education institution as a PhD research student, regardless of the visa type held. Travel exemption requests from a PhD research student should include evidence of support from a relevant Government agency outlining why the research is considered essential and in Australia's national interest and how their role is critical to the research.

Evidence of current enrolment in a University in Australia as a PhD student undertaking research, evidence of current sponsorship or support from the University in Australia and evidence to demonstrate how the student's role is critical to the research should also be included with the travel exemption request for consideration.

It is open to the petitioner to submit a further travel exemption request for consideration and include as much supporting information as possible. Without pre-empting a decision, any new request is unlikely to be successful unless significant additional information is provided or the petitioner's circumstances change.

Whilst I acknowledge the concerns raised through Petition EN2313, the travel restrictions are in place to manage the health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers. You will also no doubt be aware that bringing Australians home, especially vulnerable Australians, remains the Government's priority.

Further information on travel exemptions is available on the Department's website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2313 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Rural and Regional Services: Health

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 15 March 2021 concerning petition EN2333, requesting Morayfield/Caboolture be recognised as a Distribution Priority Area (DPA).

I note your concerns and would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the Australian Government is committed to improving access to health services for all Australians - providing quality, safe and affordable health care - regardless of where they live.

The Government uses the DPA indicator to identify maldistribution of the medical workforce in Australia. The Morayfield/Caboolture area is classified as a non-DPA for GPs and bonded program participants, as it has been assessed as receiving GP services exceeding the benchmark. The DPA system is updated annually. Should there be any substantial changes to health services in the community, this will be reflected in the next update, scheduled for 1 July 2021.

DPA status is used by Commonwealth programs that target doctors to rural areas through location restrictions on their practice, including sl9AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. This is used to target International Medical Graduates and Foreign Graduates of Accredited Medical Schools to rural areas by providing these doctors with access to Medicare in those areas only. It supports practices by offering access to a broader recruitment pool of doctors in rural areas.

The Modified Monash Model (MMM) MM 2 average of GP services is used as the DPA status benchmark. The national average of access to GP services is used for determining DPA status for the Bonded Medical Program where the DPA is used to identify where doctors with return of service obligations can work.

The Visas for GPs program supports the distribution of primary health care services in rural Australia. The program aims to manage growth in Australia's medical workforce by regulating the number of overseas trained doctors entering the country seeking to work in the primary health care sector. It redirects overseas trained doctors to areas where there is a need for additional primary health care services. This is generally regional, rural and remote areas, broadly classified as MM 2-7 regions, with DPA status.

The program applies equitably in all areas of Australia, and all employers must obtain a Health Workforce Certificate (Certificate) to sponsor an overseas trained doctor to work in a primary health care position. Certificate assessments are based on the outcome of my Department's Assessment Tool (Tool).

The Tool uses an evidence-based approach to identify the need for additional primary health care services in a GP catchment, and assists in identifying areas of greatest need by comparing primary health care services delivered in areas of similar populations. This is based on the following characteristics of the GP catchment:

the number of dedicated GPs in the catchment

GP over-capacity; service complexity

the level of socio-economic disadvantage

the types of services available

demographics of patients and providers.

The GP catchment of Caboolture, which includes the Morayfield region, is classified as MM 1 and non-DPA. The Assessment Tool outcome shows the GP catchment of Caboolture as having sufficient primary health care services to meet local needs with a 'well above standard' GP Access level compared to catchments with a similar population and service needs.

There are four exemptions under the Visas for GPs Program. Certificates will be issued regardless of location, in:

aboriginal medical services

approved medical deputising services

Australian-qualified overseas doctors

overseas doctors continuing employment in the same position in the same location with the same employer.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and The Digital Economy, Senator Hume

Superannuation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, with regards to petition number EN2337. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

The Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Scheme permits transfers of retirement savings between Australian superannuation funds (excluding self-managed superannuation funds) and New Zealand KiwiSaver schemes. The scheme facilitates consolidation of personal retirement savings (where split across two countries), reduces exposure to multiple sets of fees and charges and enhances labour mobility between the two countries.

Australian superannuation fund trustees are obliged to transfer superannuation benefits to New Zealand if the member asks it to. Once the funds are transferred, they are generally subject to New Zealand superannuation rules.

However, there are some exceptions to the treatment of superannuation funds transferred to New Zealand. In particular, Australian-sourced retirement savings may not be withdrawn from a KiwiSaver account to purchase a first home. This rule is legislated under New Zealand's KiwiSaver Act 2006.

The exemption to the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal rules is consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding, 'Arrangement Between The Government of Australia and The Government of New Zealand on Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability', and further noted in the Explanatory Memorandum for Superannuation Legislation Amendment (New Zealand Arrangement) Bill 2012.

Ensuring that Australian-sourced retirement savings are not used for purposes outside of retirement income preserves the integrity of the Australian superannuation system. Permitting the early withdrawal of superannuation funds once transferred to the New Zealand system would undermine the Australian system's preservation rules. These preservation requirements ensure that superannuation funds are available for the purpose of providing income in retirement. It should also be noted that as superannuation contributions receive generous tax concessions to encourage people to save for retirement, the purchase of housing in New Zealand would not align with the purpose of these concessions.

Further information on the rules for the transfer of retirement funds between Australia and New Zealand can be found on the Australian Taxation Office website: www.ato.gov.au.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and The Digital Economy, Senator Hume

Australian Constitution

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 to the former Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Christian Porter MP, regarding the petition number EN2341 from Dying with Dignity ACT Inc. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition on the Government's behalf.

Neither the Attorney-General nor officers of my department provide legal advice to the public. However, the following general comments may be of assistance.

Section 122 of the Constitution empowers the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws in relation to territories which have been 'surrendered' by the states or which have otherwise been acquired by the Commonwealth. In relation to these territories (of which there are currently 10), the Commonwealth Parliament can make laws on any subject, and may also allow the representation of such territory in either House of the Parliament to the extent and on the terms which it thinks fit. The Commonwealth Parliament has conferred a large measure of self-government on the people of 2 of the territories, namely the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory, with some exceptions, such as those to which the petition refers. In these territories, a range of governmental matters are now handled by a locally-elected parliament. The Parliament has also provided for the representation of those territories in the House of Representatives and Senate.

While I note the concerns raised in the petition, the Government is not presently proposing changes to section 122 of the Constitution. Section 128 requires that a referendum be held to make any alteration to the Constitution. In order 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 4 of the 6 states). This mechanism ensures that only those referendum proposals with very widespread support can succeed.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Fuel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 22 March 2021 originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2373 on retail fuel price cycles. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The Australian Government has directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to continue to monitor fuel prices in Australia. In its recent reports, the ACCC has found that the key factors affecting fuel prices remain international crude oil and exchange rates. For example, increases in international oil prices typically lead to increases in domestic petrol prices. Its most recent report can be found at: www.accc.gov.au/media-release/petrol-prices-ended-bumpy-year-slightly-lower-as-demand-rebounded.

Motorists, particularly in major cities, can also make savings by avoiding buying petrol at the peak of petrol price cycles. Petrol price cycles occur when prices oscillate between high and low points. Typically, prices steadily fall for a period followed by a sharp increase. The ACCC's website provides information on petrol prices cycles and gives buying tips: www.accc. gov.au/consumers/petrol-diesel-lpg/petrol-price-cycles#petrol-price-cycles-in-capital-cities.

The level of competition between fuel retailers is also very important. To help drive competition, the ACCC recommends that consumers take advantage of fuel price websites and mobile applications that allow them to select the best time to purchase fuel, as well as the cheapest location.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

National Disability Insurance Scheme

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 22 March 2021 to the former Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, providing EN2380 under Standing Order 209(a) and (b). As the Minister now responsible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), I am providing a written response to this petition to be considered by the Standing Committee on Petitions (the Committee).

The Australian Government's consistent position is that the use of NDIS funds to pay for the services of a sex worker is not in line with community expectations or in line with the broader intent of the NDIS. The Government considers that, as for any other person, the cost of sexual services for an NDIS participant should come from their general income, which may include income support provided by the Government.

I would like to assure you that it is not intended to restrict the ability of the NDIS to fund other supports that could assist a person to express their sexuality and develop sexual relationships for the purposes of procreation, pleasure or intimacy. It is also not intended to prevent the NDIS from providing funding for other supports that enable people with disability to have control over, choice about, and access to services pertaining to their sexuality and ability to exercise sexual rights and freedoms to live an 'ordinary life'. Rather, the intent of the exclusion is only to cover paid sex work or a support that uses a device for a similar purpose.

I trust this information is of assistance to the Committee.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Reynolds

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your correspondence of 22 March 2021 concerning petition number EN2386.

The Australian Government is considering mechanisms for recognising an international immunisation certificate for COVID-19, and potential alternative entry and quarantine arrangements for returning Australians who may have been vaccinated, if it is safe to do so. These considerations are based on the expert medical advice on vaccination effectiveness and on how best to manage the ongoing risk of transmission :from international arrivals.

At this time, the Government does not consider vaccination status to be a complete or sufficient substitute for other biosecurity measures, such as quarantine and testing requirements, which remain in place to minimise COVID-19 health risks associated with international travel.

This position aligns with the current advice provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and takes into account the lack of data, as to whether the COVID-19 vaccines prevent vaccinated individuals transmitting the virus to others.

This position is continually reviewed against expert advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and considering up-to-date international public health information outlined by the WHO. If favourable data on vaccination continues to be published over time, then this may trigger a decision as to whether there should be a scaling-back of other public-health interventions.

It is possible that, in the future, vaccination against COVID-19 might become a requirement for travel to certain destinations. Where COVID-19 vaccination is made mandatory, there will be exemptions in place for people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical and other reasons.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Temporary Visas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 22 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2396 concerning approval, to exempt partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders in Australia from the travel restrictions for travel to Australia. Your correspondence was referred to me on 30 March 2021 as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As outlined in the former Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Peter Dutton MP's, correspondence of 3 February 2021, to Petition EN1893 allow temporary visa holders be permitted to return to Australia, under the current travel exemptions policy settings, consideration is given to travel exemption requests from family members of temporary visa holders in Australia who may have a critical skill, and where there is a risk the person will depart if they are unable to reunite with their family. Consideration is also given to exemption requests from families where a minor is in Australia and was lawfully present in Australia before the restrictions came into effect.

Whilst I acknowledge the difficulties with respect to temporary resident families seeking to reunite in Australia, the current travel restrictions are in place to manage the health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers, and generally do not support travel for the purpose of family reunification in Australia.

At this time, there are no plans to broaden the existing exemption categories to include partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders in Australia. Due to the limited quarantine capacity across all states and territories, and associated restrictions on international flight numbers, it is imperative that international travel into Australia is limited to journeys that are for exceptional circumstances only as per the current exemption categories.

Protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home, especially vulnerable Australians, remains the Australian Government's priority.

You will also no doubt be aware that temporary visa holders do not need an exemption to depart Australia. It is open to the temporary visa holder separated from their family to depart Australia to reunite with them.

Further information on travel exemptions is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2396 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Falun Gong

Dear Chair

I refer to recent correspondence regarding Petition Number EN0493. This petition draws to the attention of the House concerns regarding alleged organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The Australian Government remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of belief for all people. We remain deeply concerned about reports of serious human rights abuses, including the targeting of religious groups in China. We have consistently raised our concerns about this issue directly with China, including at ministerial level, and in relevant international forums, and will continue to do so .

The Government is aware of reports of illegal organ harvesting in China. Australia strongly opposes the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners for use in medical transplants, which we are aware have occurred in China, at least prior to 2015.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is carefully monitoring developments on this issue, and regularly reviews available evidence as new reports are published. This includes the reports of the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China.

Australia is committed to the prevention of organ trafficking globally. The Government has had a comprehensive strategy since 2004 to combat such crimes and is committed to ensuring that Australia's response to organ trafficking and transplant tourism remains as effective as possible. In addition, Australia's States and Territories have robust frameworks in place to regulate lawful donation and transplants of human organs and tissue for therapeutic purposes.

In relation to the petition's call to sanction Chinese officials believed to be involved in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners through visa bans, the Government retains the ability to prevent individuals involved in human rights abuses from visiting Australia under the Migration Act. We regularly review our sanctions settings to ensure they remain suitable and effective.

We will continue to closely monitor all reports of mistreatment and restrictions against religious groups in China, and seek opportunities to respond strongly where we have human rights concerns.

Yours sincerely

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne(Petition No. PN0493)

Sebastopol Post Office

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter dated 24 February 2021 concerning Petition PN0497 requesting Australia Post take action to keep the Sebastopol Licenced Post Office open.

Australia Post is an independent Government Business Enterprise, both legally and financially separate from the Australian Government.

As the petition relates to an operational matter, I have sought advice from Australia Post. The Licensee at the Sebastopol Licensed Post Office made the decision to relocate their business on 6 February 2021 from Albert Street, Sebastopol, to the Delacombe Town Centre, approximately 3.9 kilometres away. This relocation enables the Licensee to operate out of larger premises and to better support growth in the surrounding area.

In response to the petition Australia Post has reviewed the request, considering a number of factors such as the location and viability of other nearby post offices, changes in the population, and the volume of business expected to be transacted at nearby outlets.

Australia Post advised that the Sebastopol community will continue to be well serviced by the Mt Clear and Rodan Licensed Post Offices which are located within approximately 3 kilometres of the Albert Street location. To re-tender this location to a new Licensee would more than likely render either or both of these outlets financially unviable.

Australia Post exceeds its regulatory obligations for post offices under the Australian Postal Corporation (Performance Standards) Regulations 2019, with approximately 4,330 retail outlets across Australia (4,000 required). Within this total, Australia Post maintains 2,520 in rural and remote areas (2,500 required). It also exceeds proximity requirements, with 93.7 per cent of metropolitan residences being within 2.5 kilometres of an outlet (90 per cent required) and 88.8 per cent of non-metropolitan residences within 7.5 kilometres of an outlet (85 per cent required). Sebastopol is classified as a non-metropolitan area.

Thank you for bringing the concerns of the Sebastopol community to my attention.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Immigration Detention

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 March 2021 enclosing Petition PN0500 concerning release of asylum seekers from detention into the community. Your correspondence was referred to me on 30 March 2021 as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

I note the concerns raised in Petition PN0500 requesting the release of all the asylum seekers from detention and providing them with adequate means of support. I can assure you that Australia takes its international obligations seriously and provides protection to individuals consistent with all international human rights conventions to which it is a party. Australia is one of the world's most generous contributors to international refugee resettlement efforts, successfully settling more than 900,000 refugees and others in humanitarian need since the end of World War II. We are also one of only a small number of countries that operate well-established and successful resettlement programs and are consistently ranked within the world's top three resettlement countries.

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. Regional processing arrangements provide illegal maritime arrivals (IMAs) an opportunity to have their protection claims assessed and for those found to be refugees, resettlement in a third country, without compromising Australia's strong border protection policies.

Regional processing is a key pillar of Operation Sovereign Borders and supports the Australian Government's strong border protection policies. These policies have successfully stemmed the flow of illegal maritime ventures to Australia, disrupted people smuggling activities in the region and prevented loss of life at sea.

The success of Australia's border protection policies has also enabled the Government to make a generous contribution to addressing the global humanitarian crisis.

The Government's strong border protection policies and associated management of transitory persons under regional processing arrangements has not changed - IMAs will not be settled in Australia. Consistent with this position, transitory persons brought to Australia from a regional processing country, whether for medical treatment or as accompanying family, are in Australia for a temporary purpose only.

Transitory persons under regional processing arrangements, including those temporarily in Australia, have permanent resettlement options and are being resettled. Transitory persons can seek to resettle in the United States (US) or another third country, settle in Papua New Guinea, or voluntarily return home or to another country in which they have a right of entry. Transitory persons are encouraged to engage in third country resettlement options and take steps to start the next phase of their lives.

A total of 4,183 IMAs were transferred to offshore processing under the previous government. Today, there are no refugees in detention under offshore processing and as at 31 January 2021, 913 refugees have been resettled under the Government's resettlement arrangement with the US.

Under the Migration Act 1958, detention is not limited by a set timeframe; rather, it ends when the person either is granted a visa or is removed from Australia. This is dependent upon a number of factors, including identity determination, developments in country information and the complexity of processing due to individual circumstances relating to health, character or security matters. Notwithstanding this, these assessments are completed as expeditiously as possible to facilitate the shortest possible timeframe for detaining. people in immigration detention facilities.

The lengths and conditions of immigration detention, including the appropriateness of both the accommodation and services provided, are subject to regular review by senior officers of the Department of Home Affairs, the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission. These reviews consider the lawfulness and appropriateness of a person's detention, their detention arrangements and placement, health and welfare and other matters relevant to their ongoing detention and case resolution.

Individuals who are actively engaged with the Department to resolve their immigration status and need assistance to overcome barriers to that resolution, 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), and, if eligible, the Government's Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) Program.

The SRSS Program provides short-term, tailored support to individuals who have demonstrated barriers to resolving their immigration status. Please note that this is not a social welfare program and eligibility for the SRSS Program is regularly reviewed and assessed.

The Government's preference in every case is for foreign nationals who do not hold a valid visa and who have exhausted all outstanding avenues to remain in Australia, to depart voluntarily on their own accord. Those unwilling to depart voluntarily will be subject to detention and removal from Australia.

Thank you for bringing Petition PN0500 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Energy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 November 2020 regarding Petition EN1942 which asks the House to not utilise a gas-led economic recovery.

As Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, my priority is to bring energy prices down and keep the lights on, while meeting Australia's emissions reduction commitments. Australia's competitive advantage has always been based on cheap energy, and gas will be central to our ongoing economic recovery from COVID-19.

Gas plays an important role in our everyday lives, from cooking to providing hot water and heating our homes. Many businesses rely on gas as an essential input to their operations, with gas accounting for 40 per cent of final energy demand in the manufacturing sector.

Gas also plays an important role in ensuring the reliability of our electricity grid. Australia's energy system is now made up of record levels of renewable resources, like solar and wind. We are projected to deploy an additional 24GW of rooftop solar by 2030, tripling the nation's rooftop solar capacity over the decade. In 2019, Australia was deploying new renewable energy l0 times faster per capita than the global average and 4 times faster per capita than Europe, China, Japan or the US. These are achievements Australians can be proud of

However, the key challenge to ensuring continued strong growth in new renewable capacity is to provide backup for when the sun isn't shining and when the wind isn't blowing. We need more flexible backup generation and storage - gas, pumped hydro and batteries - to balance and integrate high shares of renewable energy. According to Australia's former Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, the adoption of renewable electricity will be faster and more reliable if gas-fired generation remains available.

Gas infrastructure, such as pipelines, will also be critical to the roll-out of new energy technologies, such as hydrogen. The Government has announced a $1.9 billion investment package and a Technology Investment Roadmap to enable the deployment of new low-emissions technologies that will work with gas to support economic growth.

Gas also produces fewer emissions than coal and will help support our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The recently published Australia's emissions projections 2020 report shows that Australia is on track to beat its 2030 target by 403 million tonnes.

Thank you for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Energy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 30 November 2020 regarding petition EN1957. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The Liberal National Government's priority is bringing power prices down and keeping the lights on by implementing its plan for a Fair Deal on Energy. We have seen 19 straight months of year-on-year falls in wholesale electricity prices, and eight consecutive quarters of retail price reductions. These low prices are forecast to continue on the back of policy action from the Government to lower energy costs and improve outcomes for families and small businesses.

Coal-fired electricity generation will continue to play an important role in our electricity system for some time. The 'dispatchability' of coal is vital to maintain balance in our electricity system and ensure Australian households and businesses have affordable, reliable power.

The Government is encouraging investment in new generation to improve reliability and put downward pressure on electricity prices. This includes work through the Underwriting New Generation Investments (UNGI) program, the Supporting Reliable Energy Infrastructure (SREI) program, establishing the $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund and the Government's 1000 MW dispatchable capacity target in NSW.

The UNGI program is a key part of our plan to deliver affordable and reliable power. We are focused on working with a number of shortlisted projects, including new gas generators, with the potential to provide reliable, dispatchable electricity when needed. Through the SREI program, we approved a $3.31 million grant to support a feasibility study of a proposed 1000 MW high efficiency, low emissions coal plant in Collinsville, Queensland.

With the upcoming closure of the Liddell Power Station in NSW, the Government has set energy companies a target to commit, by the end of April 2021, to building 1000 megawatts of dispatchable capacity that will come online by the summer of 2023-24.

The Government does not provide direct funding support for renewables through the Renewable Energy Target (RET). The RET is a legislated, market based mechanism that provides a financial incentive for the deployment of renewable energy projects.

The legislated Large-scale Renewable Energy Target peaked in 2020, and with the target expected to be exceeded, the level of support provided under the scheme will decline significantly over the coming years. The level of support per installation provided under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is also legislated to decline each year until the RET ends in 2030.

Thank you again for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Republic of Artsakh

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter regarding Petition No. EN2134 to 'recognise the fundamental right to self-determination of the indigenous Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh'.

I acknowledge the concerns of the Armenian-Australian community regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Like the signatories of the petition, Australia was very concerned by the fighting in the region last year and the significant loss of life on both sides.

We call on both sides to engage with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and work towards a lasting peace. This should be based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of the non-use of force, territorial integrity and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples and be guided by the 'Madrid Principles' proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Australia has long held a position of supporting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to negotiate a permanent settlement of the conflict. We consider the three-nation ceasefire agreement that took effect on 10 November 2020 provides an opportunity to achieve such an outcome.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Payne

Afghanistan

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 regarding Petition number EN2135.

The petition requested the House to continue efforts in Afghanistan, specifically to 'work with the United Nations to ensure that Afghan women are integral to the peace process and achieving lasting peace. Prioritise Australian aid funding for education and training for young Afghans to be part of rebuilding Afghanistan. Negotiate with US President-elect and his administration for a commitment towards a durable peace.'

I am pleased to provide further information regarding the diplomatic efforts and development assistance Australia is providing to support Afghanistan and its journey to sustainable peace.

Empowering women has been a strong focus of Australia's diplomatic, military and development cooperation with Afghanistan since 2001. Through our whole-of-government engagement, we continue to promote women as key agents of change, and encourage their full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership in peace, security and stability decision-making.

Australia promotes the inclusion of women in all forms of peace dialogue and formal negotiations, and amplifies the voices of Afghan women through our political advocacy and support in multilateral fora. We are building capacity to support security, law, and justice sector efforts to meet the needs and rights of women and girls. Australia is also mainstreaming gender equality and the 'women, peace and security' agenda into our development and humanitarian activities funded by the Australian aid program. Some examples of this work are outlined below.

At the global level:

Australia played an active role in the drafting and adoption of two UN Security Council resolutions on 'women, peace and security', and advocated for a priority focus on women and girls in a resolution on Afghanistan, during our term on the UN Security Council (2012-13).

Most recently (March 2020), Australia supported UN Security Council Resolution 2513 on Afghanistan, which affirms that any political settlement must protect the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities.

Australia has also supported the adoption of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)'s General Recommendation 30 (2013) that provides instruction on the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Australia has also promoted the rights of women and girls by leading and co-sponsoring a number of resolutions and statements as a member of the Human Rights Council (2018-2020} with Afghanistan.

At the country level:

Australia, as co-chair of the new Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors' Group in Kabul, continues to advocate for the active and meaningful participation of Afghan women and the protection of women's rights in the peace process.

Australia has joined various joint declarations on the promotion of women's rights, 'women, peace and security', and security concerns over civilian causalities and the impact on women and children.

Australia's Ending Violence Against Women Program ($22.5 million, 2012-21) is raising awareness on women's rights in Islam and Afghanistan's Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Australia is supporting the training of community and faith leaders to challenge harmful gender norms in society, and encourage women's engagement in political and economic affairs. The program's impact is demonstrating that better-informed religious and community leaders can become gender-conscious mediators and advocates for women's rights, and highlighting the crucial role of men and boys in combatting violence against women and girls.

Our Empowerment through Education program ($20.7 million, 2011-20), delivered by CARE Afghanistan, fills a gap in basic education across five Afghan provinces, particularly targeting girls in remote and rural communities. The program includes peace education, and new 'women, peace and security' curriculum currently under development.

Australia's Regional Humanitarian Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan prioritises support to women, and Australia's support to UN Population Fund is delivering important sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services to Afghan women and girls in areas with high numbers of refugee returns and conflict displacement.

Australian funding to UN Development Programme is promoting equitable and just dispute resolution mechanisms for Afghan women. This includes supporting an assessment of the prevalence of gender-based violence across Afghanistan during COVID-19 lockdown, and piloting innovative approaches to target the root causes of family violence and increasing survivors' access to support services.

The Australian Embassy in Kabul public diplomacy platform, @AusEmbAfg on Twitter, has ramped up 'women, peace and security'-related content and messaging throughout 2020. Twitter Posts on women's rights, protection and engagement make up approximately 60 per cent of all content, and receive widespread positive responses.

With regards to the peace process, Australia, along with the international community, welcomes the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations, which commenced on 12 September 2020. Australia acknowledges there will be challenges on the long road to peace, but we see an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned political settlement as the only viable way to resolve the conflict.

On 23 January 2021, the United States announced that it was reviewing the US-Taliban agreement, to ensure the Taliban were living up to their commitments. Progress towards the May 2021 withdrawal of foreign military forces is based on the Taliban's compliance with the US-Taliban agreement signed in February 2020. The United States and NATO have both emphasised that they have not yet decided on a final withdrawal timeframe.

Australia will continue to work closely with the United States and the broader international community to support an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process. I thank you for your interest in this issue and support for our efforts.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 15 February 2021 concerning petition EN2192 the restrictions placed on citizens or resident who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government is committed to providing a safe and effective vaccine to everyone living in Australia. The Government is a strong supporter of immunisation in 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. While the Government supports immunisation, it is not mandatory and individuals maintain the option to choose not to vaccinate.

COVID-19 vaccines will not be mandatory in Australia, but it's important that everyone who can get it, does get it, to help keep themselves and others safe. Achieving community protection through immunisation would see people connecting with family and friends, transitioning back to their workplaces, and with time, a restart of our job market - all vital components to improving the lives of many Australians.

While there are no mandatory vaccines in Australia, it's possible that in the future, vaccination against COVID-19 might become a requirement for travel to certain destinations or for people working in certain high-risk workplaces. If this becomes the case, there will be exemptions in place for people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia is being guided by the medical experts of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). ATAGI has developed resources for patients and providers to help with providing informed consent to get a COVID-19 vaccination, including an optional consent forms. As with all other vaccines, valid consent is required before administering each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

If people choose not to have a COVID-19 vaccine, this will not affect their family's eligibility for Family Tax Benefit Part A or childcare fee assistance which only includes National Immunisation Program vaccines for those aged younger than 20.

States and territories are able to issue public health directions requiring individuals to be vaccinated, as is the case where individuals entering aged care facilities must be vaccinated against influenza, except if vaccination is not available to the person or they have a medical contraindication. Similarly, workplace occupational health and safety is a matter for individual employers, providers and under model work health safety laws, employers are required to manage risks of viral exposure and infection, and persons at a workplace are required to comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction in that regard.

Australians are encouraged to rely on reputable sources of information to help them make informed choices and stay up to date.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

China: Human Rights

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 regarding Petition EN2210 concerning the human rights environment in China and the matter of Hong Kong.

The Australian Government has grave concerns about the growing number of credible reports of severe human rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. I have raised these concerns directly with my Chinese counterpart , State Councilor Wang Yi and in my address to the UN Human Rights Council on 14 September 2020.

Most recently, I joined New Zealand Foreign Minister, the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, on 23 March, in a joint statement expressing the concerns of both our governments about human rights abuses including reports of arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of religion, pervasive surveillance and forced labour, as well as recent disturbing reports of systematic torture and abuse of Uighur women.

The Government has raised Australia's serious concerns about Xinjiang at the last eight sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and joined a 39-country statement delivered in the UNGA Third Committee in New York regarding Xinjiang and Hong Kong on 6 October 2020.

We continue to call on China to give international observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang at the earliest opportunity.

The Government regularly raises directly with China, and in the UN, our concerns about the human rights situations in Tibet and policies targeting Falun Gong practitioners. The Government is aware of reports of illegal organ harvesting in China. Australia strongly opposes the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners for use in medical transplants, which we are aware have occurred in China, at least prior to 2015.

Australia is committed to the prevention of organ trafficking globally. The Government has had a comprehensive strategy since 2004 to combat such crimes and is committed to ensuring that Australia's response to organ trafficking and transplant tourism remains as effective as possible . In addition, Australia's states and territories have robust frameworks in place to regulate lawful donation and transplants of human organs and tissue for therapeutic purposes.

The Government retains the ability to prevent individuals involved in human rights abuses from visiting Australia under the Migration Act. We regularly review our sanctions settings to ensure they remain suitable and effective.

The Government has also expressed its deep concerns to China about its recent moves to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy, democratic principles, and rule of law. We have suspended our extradition agreement with Hong Kong, introduced new visa measures for temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong wanting to live and work in Australia, and updated our travel advice to reflect the new risks to Australians in Hong Kong .

Thank you again for bringing the petitioners concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 referring petition EN2246 titled 455 Too Many: Address and Investigate Indigenous Deaths in Custody. I appreciate the signatories taking the time to petition the Australian Government on this important issue.

The Australian Government is committed to finding effective solutions to address the drivers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' disproportionate contact with the justice system. As the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody found, the fundamental issue is that "too many Aboriginal people are in custody too often". Reducing the number of Indigenous Australians in contact with the justice system, through addressing the underlying factors that lead to offending, will reduce the number of Indigenous deaths in custody.

An independent review by Deloitte Access Economics in 2018 found significant progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The review found that of the 339 recommendations, 78 per cent had been fully or mostly implemented and 16 per cent had been partially implemented. The review also found that of the 223 recommendations for which the Australian Government had responsibility, 91 per cent had been fully or mostly implemented.

As states and territories are responsible for their police and justice systems, mental fitness assessments for police officers and corrections staff are a matter for the states and territories. I encourage the petitioners to contact their state and territory governments with regards to this issue.

The Australian Government is committed to continuing to work with states and territories, Indigenous Australians and communities to continue to address the findings of the Royal Commission. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) is an important framework for continuing to progress this important work. Through the National Agreement, the Australian Government is considering how the remaining recommendations from the Royal Commission can be brought into effect, as we work towards the two justice targets (Target 10 to reduce adult incarceration and Target 11 to reduce youth detention).

This National Agreement is also an important opportunity, particularly for states and territories who have responsibility for their police, judicial and correction systems, to consider issues such as those raised in the petition, including justice reinvestment programs and further training and support for police and corrections officers.

All governments have worked in partnership with the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations to develop the new National Agreement, which outlines a new way of working, with shared decision making, shared responsibility and shared accountability to close the gap. The National Agreement sets out ambitious targets and new Priority Reforms that will change the way governments work to improve life outcomes experienced by Indigenous Australians.

Action on targets in addition to Targets 10 and 11, in the agreement will also help prevent Indigenous Australians having contact with the justice system. These include strengthening families to ensure parents and children are safe, ensuring young people are engaged meaningfully in education, adults are employed and all people have good health and wellbeing.

Additionally, under Priority Reform One of the National Agreement, all parties have committed to establish a justice policy partnership to identify opportunities to work more effectively across governments, reduce gaps and duplication and improve outcomes under Closing the Gap. This policy partnership, to be developed through the Joint Council on Closing the Gap and will be critical to helping meet the adult and youth justice targets. A copy of the National Agreement is available at https://closingthegap.gov.au.

The petitioners may be interested to know about actions already underway that aim to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and divert Indigenous Australians from the justice system. As part of the Morrison Government's commitment to work with states and territories, we have committed $261.3 million in 2020-21 to fund a range of activities to complement efforts by states and territories to improve justice and community safety outcomes for Indigenous Australians. These activities aim to promote Indigenous women's safety and leadership; improve wellbeing; create safe and functional environments; improve community safety in remote Indigenous communities; reduce alcohol and other drug misuse; reduce re-offending; and reduce family violence.

The Morrison Government has also offered to fund the establishment of a Custody Notification Service in each state and territory as an important safeguard recommended by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, to reduce the likelihood of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody. The services provide culturally appropriate health and welfare support and basic legal advice for Indigenous Australians detained by police. Australian Government funded Custody Notification Services are operational in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria, with a service soon to be established in South Australia.

Australian governments are working towards the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). A key obligation under OPCAT is to establish National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect primary places of detention (including police cells, adult correctional facilities and youth justice facilities), prevent torture and ill-treatment, and improve the treatment of people in detention. Implementing OPCAT will have benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody.

Under OPCAT, jurisdictions will be obliged to take a proactive approach in regularly monitoring and inspecting places of detention with an aim to prevent torture and ill-treatment. This obligation will result in jurisdictions taking positive steps to improve the conditions in detention while also potentially uncovering previously unidentified issues across the criminal justice system. NPMs could not only advocate for people in detention, but the practical effect of NPMs regularly monitoring conditions in detention is likely to result in overall improvements. This could include improvements to processes and procedures, greater general supports, and better access to medical and mental health care.

Thank you for referring this petition to me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Mr Wyatt

Climate Change

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 15 March 2021 regarding Petition Number EN2306 on Australia's engagement in the United Nations and the Paris Agreement.

Australia's national interests, security and prosperity are served by a stable international order based on pragmatic and principled international cooperation among sovereign states. COVID-19 has demonstrated that the international order, underpinned by the agencies and bodies of the United Nations, is vital to address and coordinate a global response to a global challenge.

Australia's international engagement is guided by our national interests, including both our bilateral and multilateral engagement. The 2020 audit of Australia's engagement with the United Nations affirmed that multilateral institutions create rules that are vital to Australia's security, interests, values and prosperity. These institutions regulate international cooperation in key sectors including civil aviation, maritime transport, intellectual property, telecommunications and agriculture , among others, and promote universal values, such as human rights.

Climate change requires a global solution, with countries acting together to reduce emissions. Australia is committed to the Paris Agreement, the central international agreement on climate change which seeks to limit global warming. The Paris Agreement has near-universal support, with 191 parties having ratified or accepted the Agreement and having put forward emissions reductions commitments under the Agreement. Australia has welcomed the United States decision to re-join the Agreement in February 2021.

Australia is an active and constructive participant in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, where we are working alongside other countries to pursue strong transparency requirements for all countries.

The Australian Government is committed to meeting its Paris Agreement target to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Australia beat its 2020 target by 459 million tonnes and we are on track to meet and beat our 2030 Paris target.

The Government is taking real and meaningful action to reduce emissions, with more than $5.6 billion committed to new emissions reduction measures through the last two federal Budgets. Australia's Technology Investment Roadmap will guide $18 billion of Government investment over the next 10 years to leverage $70 billion of new investment in Australia in low emissions technologies by 2030. Our plan will support 130,000 jobs by 2030 and avoid in the order of 250 million tonnes of emissions by 2040.

Investing in low emissions technologies will enable Australia's continued success in meeting and beating our emissions reduction targets. I assure the petitioners of Australia's continued commitment to influence and shape global institutions, while also safeguarding Australia's national interests.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

COVID-19: Travel Restrictions

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2311 concerning seeking inclusion of parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents as immediate family members for the purpose of exemption from Australia's travel restrictions. Your correspondence was referred to me on 30 March 2021 as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As outlined in the correspondence to you of 25 January 2021 from the former Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, in response to Petition EN1860 Inclusion of Parents as "Immediate" family members for travel exemption, broadening the definition of immediate family members and including any additional exempt categories will be a process informed by expert health advice.

Whilst I sympathise with those who haven't been able to see their loved ones for extended periods of time, these restrictions are in place to manage the health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers and generally do not support travel for the purpose of family reunification.

You will no doubt be aware that protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home, especially vulnerable Australians, remains the Australian Government's priority. Due to the limited quarantine capacity across all states and territories, and associated restrictions on international flight numbers, it is imperative that international travel into Australia is limited to journeys that are for exceptional circumstances only.

Further information on travel exemptions is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au. These measures are temporary and are reviewed regularly.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2311 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

India

Dear Chair

Thank you for your emails of 22 March 2021, regarding Petition Nos. EN2347, EN2354 and EN2377, which relate to protest action by farmers in India.

India is an important partner for Australia, as demonstrated by the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2020. People-to-people linkages underpin the relationship, and I welcome the initiative of these petitioners in contributing their views.

The Australian Government has long highlighted the benefits of economic and trade liberalisation to the Indian Government. We also continue to advocate to India on the need for domestic laws, including agriculture regulations, being WTO-consistent. We are following India's economic reform agenda closely.

Australia is a strong advocate for human rights and the democratic right to peaceful protest. We expect all countries to maintain public safety while upholding citizens' rights.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Myanmar

Dear Chair

Thank you for referring the Petition No. EN2374 of 22 March 2021on the situation in Myanmar.

Australia has been a longstanding supporter of Myanmar's democratic transition and its peace process, and we share the grave concerns of those that have signed the petition. Australia has repeatedly condemned the use of lethal force and violence against civilians peacefully protesting and strongly urged the Myanmar security forces to exercise restraint, release all those arbitrarily detained and return Myanmar to the path of democratic transition.

In response to escalating violence, I announced on 7 March the suspension of Australia's bilateral Defence Cooperation Program with Myanmar's military. Australia's development program is also being re-directed to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable. We continue to keep our sanctions regime under review, noting it already prohibits supplying weapons to Myanmar and imposes targeted sanctions on a number of individuals.

Australia will continue to play a constructive role, including in consultation with international partners, particularly ASEAN, in support of the people of Myanmar.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

COVID-19: Economy

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 22 March 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2381 which requests that the stimulus packages for COVID-19 be revised to apply a levy to companies that collected JobKeeper payments with no chance of reduced income. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

In the face of COVID-19, the Australian Government's emergency support provided a crucial lifeline to households and businesses through an exceptionally difficult period. It was designed to support businesses to retain jobs and manage short-term cash flow challenges, provide support to individuals, severely affected communities and regions, and to ensure the continued flow of credit in the Australian economy.

Today, the economy has recovered strongly and Australia has seen employment go above its pre-pandemic levels. The Treasurer recently delivered the 2021-22 Budget which outlines the Government's plan to secure Australia's economic recovery and to build jobs. Key elements of this plan are: personal income tax cuts, business tax incentives, new apprenticeships and training places, more infrastructure, and record funding for schools, hospitals, aged care, mental health and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

I highlight some key points of relevance to the Petition EN2381 below.

Business tax incentives

To support business investment and the post-COVID19 economic recovery, the Government introduced temporary full expensing and temporary loss carry-back in the 2020-21 Budget. These measures were both extended by one year in the 2021-22 Budget. Temporary full expensing will now allow eligible businesses to deduct the full cost of eligible assets of any value purchased from 7:30pm (AEDT) on 6 October 2020 and first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2023. Temporary loss carry-back will now allow companies with turnover below $5 billion to recoup tax previously paid on prior year profits, as far back as the 2018-19 income year, using 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, or 2022-23 tax losses. Around 3.6 million businesses (over 99 per cent of businesses), employing around 11.5 million people are eligible to benefit from temporary full expensing, while approximately 1 million companies employing up to 8.8 million people are eligible to benefit from temporary loss carry back. These measures, including the extensions, are estimated to create around 60,000 jobs by the end of 2022-23 and boost GDP by around $2.5 billion in 2020-21, $7.5 billion in 2021-22 and $8 billion in 2022-23.

Support for individuals

The Government is committed to reducing taxes for Australians. The petition mentions that the tax free threshold for individuals should be increased to $40,000 until 2024. Increasing the tax-free threshold would benefit all taxpayers regardless of their taxable income and would not necessarily target those that have been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2021-22 Budget, the Government delivered $7.8 billion in personal income tax cuts to support more than 10 million low- and middle-income earners by retaining the low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) for an additional year. The LMITO is worth up to $1,080 for individuals and $2,160 for dual-income households. This additional support builds on the $25.1 billion of announced tax cuts already flowing to households in 2021-22 through the Government's legislated Personal Income Tax Plan.

JobKeeper Payment

JobKeeper kept 3.8 million people in their jobs. The petition outlined that many larger companies received the JobKeeper support, yet are not required to repay the Government, despite remaining in a profitable position. I note that the JobKeeper Payment was a wage subsidy made to eligible businesses and not-for­profits affected by COVID-19 to support them in retaining employees. It was designed to deliver support quickly and at scale, which is why it was important that the eligibility criteria were as straightforward as possible, drawing upon existing tax and revenue concepts and definitions.

Eligibility for JobKeeper initially used a projected decline in turnover test to ensure that businesses received support, before they incurred large-scale losses from the impacts of COVID-19, which compromised their viability, and before they were in a position where they needed to separate from their staff. In many instances where there was a significant difference between a publicly listed company's projected GST turnover and what eventuated, the ATO made further enquiries to ascertain whether the projection was reasonable at the point in time that it was calculated.

Modifying the eligibility criteria to include a measure of the profitability of a business would have introduced significant complexity and delays in the program. In addition, I note that programs that are most comparable to JobKeeper, such as in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada also have no formal restrictions relating to dividends or bonuses paid to executives. Such a test would have been difficult to design and implement with integrity on the scale required, given the variety in business models and structures across industries, and given the flexibility that businesses have in the management of their balance sheet. While there may have been merit in considering such design elements if JobKeeper was intended to be an ongoing program, it is less clear that this would have been feasible or desirable in the context.

While there is no obligation for businesses who received a JobKeeper Payment or JobKeeper payments to repay those amounts, they may choose to voluntarily pay an amount which is equivalent to some or all of the JobKeeper Payment or payments they received. More information on voluntary repayments can be found here: www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/Employers/JobKeeper-voluntary-repayments/.

Thank you again for your correspondence. Receiving ideas and insights from members of the public plays an important role in informing the Government's plans for a stronger economy.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Tobacco Taxation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2437 on tobacco taxation. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The Australian Government discourages the use of all tobacco products as there is no form of tobacco use which has benign health effects for consumers. Despite the recent decline in the incidence of smoking, it remains a leading cause of preventable death and disability in Australia, with smoking estimated to have killed almost 21,000 Australians in 2015.

The World Health Organisation identifies price increases through taxation as one of the most effective ways governments can reduce tobacco consumption. Successive governments have made significant efforts in recent years to reduce tobacco consumption through staged increases in tobacco excise and a swap to wage indexation.

Tobacco rates are indexed biannually to an index of average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE) on 1 March and 1 September every year. In addition to this, in the 2016-17 Budget the Government announced four annual 12.5 per cent rate increases occurring on 1 September every year from 2017 to 2020 inclusive. This continued a series of annual 12.5 per cent increases since December 2013.

The taxation of tobacco products, apart from discouraging smoking, helps to pay for support for people who wish to quit smoking, essential services such as the delivery of health services and other areas of spending that benefit the whole Australian community.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Falun Gong

Dear Chair

I refer to recent correspondence regarding Petition Number PN0499 and Petition Number PN050l . This petition draws to the attention of the House concerns regarding alleged organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China .

The Australian Government remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of belief for all people. We remain deeply concerned about reports of serious human rights abuses, including the targeting of religious groups in China. We have consistently raised our concerns about this issue directly with China, including at ministerial level, and in relevant international forums, and will continue to do so.

The Government is aware of reports of illegal organ harvesting in China. Australia strongly opposes the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners for use in medical transplants, which we are aware have occurred in China, at least prior to 2015.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is carefully monitoring developments on this issue, and regularly reviews available evidence as new reports are published . This includes the reports of the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China.

Australia is committed to the prevention of organ trafficking globally. The Government has had a comprehensive strategy since 2004 to combat such crimes and is committed to ensuring that Australia's response to organ trafficking and transplant tourism remains as effective as possible. In addition, Australia's States and Territories have robust frameworks in place to regulate lawful donation and transplants of human organs and tissue for therapeutic purposes.

In relation to the petition's call to sanction Chinese officials believed to be involved in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners through visa bans, the Government retains the ability to prevent individuals involved in human rights abuses from visiting Australia under the Migration Act . We regularly review our sanctions settings to ensure they remain suitable and effective.

We will continue to closely monitor all reports of mistreatment and restrictions against religious groups in China, and seek opportunities to respond strongly where we have human rights concerns.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Mr Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN1817 - Disability support pensions eligible for mortgage. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response. I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Decisions on to whom and when to lend are ultimately commercial decisions for banks, and the Australian Government does not have any power to intervene in these specific decisions. However, the Government considers it important that those consumers and businesses with good credit profiles are able to access the finance they need.

Banks have strengthened their lending standards in recent years in response to specific measures taken by regulators to improve lending practices and limit systemic risks. This has coincided with a moderation in lending, particularly to investors and for interest-only loans. However, recent regulatory actions concerning lending policies were designed with the intent to limit risks to the financial system and broader economy, not to unfairly restrict the ability of particular groups of consumers to access credit.

The Government is aware of recent anecdotal reports that, given the current level of public scrutiny of their past lending practices, banks have become overly cautious in how they are interpreting the application of existing legal and prudential obligations on their lending. In response, the Treasurer has stated publicly that while banks must adhere to regulatory standards, consideration should also be given to the need to provide access to finance for families and businesses, thus facilitating a critical part of the economy.

I understand that some lenders will consider a disability pension to be a valid form of income, and will review home loan applications on a case-by-case basis. Brokers may be of assistance in identifying suitable lenders.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Marriage Visas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 19 October 2020 enclosing Petition EN1829 concerning the extension of the 'first entry date' of Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders who have been unable to enter Australia due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. The Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, has asked that I respond on his behalf.

On 19, March 2020, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced a travel ban on all foreign nationals entering Australia, effective 9pm 20 March 2020. Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders are not exempt from the Australian Government's current travel ban because they are not permanent residents and have not yet been assessed as immediate family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The Government is aware that a number of Prospective Marriage visa holders have been unable to enter Australia due to the travel restrictions, and that their visas have ceased or will cease as a result.

On 6 October 2020 as part of the Federal Budget for 2020-21, the Government announced it will be offering refunds or waivers of visa application charges (VAC) for some temporary visa holders affected by COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

VAC refunds will be available for Prospective Marriage visa holders who have been unable to enter Australia before their visa expired due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

Refunds will ensure that visa holders are able to apply for another visa to travel to Australia as appropriate. For those visas that have already expired, any new application will be prioritised. Visa extensions will also be available for Prospective Marriage visa holders in certain circumstances.

Further information about the VAC refund for Prospective Marriage visa holders is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/refunds-and-waivers-visa-application-charges.

The Department is currently working to finalise policy settings around when and how VAC refunds and visa extensions will become available. Please visit the Department's website regularly to stay up to date with the most recent immigration advice.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN1829 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

Nigeria: Human Rights

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your emails of 30 November 2020 regarding the Petitions EN2023 and EN2025, which request that the House of Representatives impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses.

Following the 20 October shooting of protestors in Lagos during the Nigerian #EndSARS protests, the Australian Government, on 22 October, expressed its alarm and called on Nigerian authorities to de-escalate the situation and to protect demonstrators exercising their right to protest peacefully.

I note that in his 23 October address to the Nigerian people, President Buhari committed to abolish the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The Nigerian Vice-President has also announced that the 36 Nigerian State Governors and the Federal Capital Territory Minister had established judicial panels of inquiry to investigate cases of police brutality, due to report before mid-2021.

With regard to sanctions targeting human rights abuses, in December 2019 I asked the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to inquire into the use of targeted sanctions to address human rights abuses. The Committee received more than 160 public submissions, and heard from a number of witnesses in public hearings. As a longstanding supporter of protections for individual human rights and freedoms, I was pleased by the strong interest in the Committee's inquiry.

The Committee tabled its report in Parliament on 7 December 2020, and the Government is carefully considering the recommendations.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Pensions and Benefits

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021, concerning petition EN2060 - Child Support Adjusted Taxable Income Rules Disadvantage Low Income Earners.

The petitioners expresses concern about the differences in the way that fringe benefits are assessed for the purposes of child support and family assistance. I would like to assure the petitioners that the Australian Government intends for the child support scheme to be fair for both parents, so they can manage their financial responsibilities towards their children.

Child support assessments are generally based on a parent's adjusted taxable income, which comprises their taxable income and other supplementary amounts including, among other things, any reportable fringe benefits a parent may be receiving. The inclusion of supplementary amounts ensures child support liabilities are calculated according to a parent's capacity to provide support for their child, regardless of how their income is structured.

Adjusted taxable income, rather than net or gross income, is used in the child support formula because it better reflects parents' true capacity to support their children.

Reportable fringe benefits have been included in adjusted taxable income for child support purposes since 1998, following a recommendation from the 1994 report of the Joint Select Committee on Certain Family Law Issues, Child support scheme: an examination of the operation and effectiveness of the scheme.

In most circumstances, fringe benefits are a way of legitimately reducing a person's taxable income by allowing for the receipt of an additional benefit most salary and wage earners would need to meet from their post-tax income. While these arrangements are legitimate for taxation purposes, they should not diminish a parent's fundamental responsibility to support their child in line with their financial capacity.

Fringe benefits also form part of an individual's adjusted taxable income for family assistance purposes. The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016 broadly aligned the way that fringe benefits are assessed for family assistance purposes with the way that they are assessed for child support purposes.

As the petitioners note, fringe benefits received by employees who work for employers that are identified under section 57A of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 were exempt from this change. These employers include registered public benevolent institutions, registered health promotion charities, some hospitals and public ambulance services. Employees of these employers continue to be assessed on the 'adjusted net value' of their fringe benefits for family assistance purposes.

These differences arise primarily because the family assistance and child support schemes are administered under different legislation for different purposes. Eligibility for family assistance is based on the principle of need, and family assistance payments assist most families with some of the costs of raising children in recognition of this socially valuable role. In contrast, the child support scheme is designed to ensure that separated parents take primary responsibility for the financial care of their children and that the children share in the financial circumstances of their parents as they would have if their parents had not separated. These differences are not inconsistencies, but reflect the different nature and intent of the schemes.

Separated parents who feel they do not receive any direct advantage from their fringe benefits may apply to Services Australia to have their circumstances considered through the child support change of assessment process. This process allows Services Australia to examine the broader financial circumstances of both parents to determine an appropriate amount of child support payable.

The Government is committed to helping families manage their responsibilities for their children following separation and will continue to monitor the effect of child support legislation.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Government Accountability

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter of 15 February 2021 referring to Petition No EN2116, which calls on the House to "support legislation to ensure a minimum budgetary increase for all government accountability agencies each fiscal year, and that the House also supports legislation that ensures that these agencies are free from interference of the Government they are charged with observing and investigating".

The Government does in fact provide a minimum increase in funding for all agencies, via annual funding indexation.

It also appropriately applies an efficiency dividend, reflecting the fact that technology and new ways of working continue to provide the opportunity for productivity gains over time. The efficiency dividend has applied to the ANAO since it was introduced by the Hawke Labor Government in 1987-88 and it has operated on a bipartisan basis for over three decades, to ensure that Australian taxpayers share in productivity gains through a reinvestment of these gains in other priorities.

The petition refers to an online opinion piece written by two Grattan Institute staff. That short statement only considers five public accountability agencies. Some key public accountability agencies that have received material funding increases in recent Budgets have been overlooked, such as the Courts and Australian Federal Police.

The opinion piece mainly focusses on the Australian National Audit Office, commencing with a claims that the agency Budget has reduced. Although this claim has currency among some commentators, it is incorrect. The claim is based on misunderstanding about the reduction in ANAO reserves due to a one-off property fitout.

Agency reserves can build up in some years and be drawn down at different speeds in various other years (for instance to fund irregular capital commitments). As Deputy Auditor-General Rona Mellow explained in Budget Estimates:

"Between 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, we've consumed [some of] those prior year appropriations in a number of ways. We needed to move buildings, which meant we needed to fit out accommodation for our staff . We also chose to invest in IT data storage and some new t ools for forensic audit analysis . Those spends we see as one-off investments."

Accordingly accumulated reserves began at a lower total after a year of heavy draw­downs. That merely reflects the sporadic nature of capital investments, not a downward trend in recurrent funding. During the most recent Budget Estimates the Auditor-General was asked whether his annual funding had been cut and said that:

"There was no change in our budget and forward estimates in the budget process

Prior to this month's Budget ANAO funding was going up every year of the forward estimates. In the Budget the Government provided the ANAO an additional $61.5 million over four years to address rising costs due to more complex financial data and records management arrangements, new audit controls relating to COVID-19 measures and the need to enhance IT cyber security. This amounts to the largest increase to ordinary operational funding for the ANAO in recent decades.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Finance, Senator Birmingham

Stokes, Mr Kerry, AC

Australian War Memorial Council

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your representation of 15 February 2021 concerning petition number EN2118. The petition asks that the House request His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd) to terminate the appointment of Mr Kerry Stokes AC to the Council of the Australian War Memorial under subsection 14(1) of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980 (the Act).

Membership of the Council of the Australian War Memorial

The Council of the Australian War Memorial (the Council) is responsible for the conduct and control of the affairs of the Australian War Memorial (the Memorial). The Council also determines the policy of the Memorial with respect to any matter.

Members are appointed by the Governor-General having regard to their knowledge and experience with respect to matters relevant to the functions of the Memorial. By convention, members for appointment to the Council are recommended to the Governor-General by the Minister that holds portfolio responsibility for the Memorial. Appointed members hold office part-time for a term not exceeding three years, as is fixed by the Governor-General in the instrument of his or her appointment.

The Governor-General may terminate the appointment of an appointed member by reason of the misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity of that member.

Full confidence in Mr Kerry Stokes AC

It is not my intention to seek the removal of Mr Kerry Stokes AC from his statutory role. I have full confidence in Mr Stokes and continue to stand by his appointment to the Council. This is reflected in his reappointment on 1 August 2020 for a further 12 months.

I have previously recognised Mr Stokes' extraordinary contribution to the respectful commemoration of the service and sacrifices of Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. I have noted this is a testament to his passion for veterans and their wellbeing.

Mr Stokes' offer to fund the legal defence of any of the Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers implicated by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report should be understood in the context of his long history of supporting veterans' causes and the SAS.

As I have stated publically, if Mr Stokes wants to support someone in defending their legal rights, I do not think that is an issue for myself or the government. I do not consider that Mr Stokes' potential funding of legal defence for any of the SAS soldiers could constitute grounds for termination under section 14(1) of the Act as it does not constitute misbehaviour nor evidence of physical or mental incapacity.

Finally, I note that at the 27 November 2020 meeting, the Council of the Australian War Memorial recorded its unanimous support for Mr Stokes in his role of Chair and also noted his longstanding support of the veteran community.

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

Yours sincerely

From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Men's Health and Wellbeing

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, regarding a petition to propose a Ministry for Men (EN2133). The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf.

Advancing gender equality involves both men and women, and the Australian Government is committed to improving the lives of all Australians by supporting individuals, families and communities to thrive. At this time, the Prime Minister is satisfied with the composition of the current Ministry and has no plans to include a new ministry for men.

The important issues the petition raises about men's health are currently being addressed by a number of Australian Government policies and programs, noting that both physical and mental health are key priorities for the Government in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Men's Health Strategy 2020-2023 is a gender-focused health framework which aims to drive continuing improvement in the health and wellbeing of all men and boys in Australia, and to reduce inequities in health outcomes between men and women.

Further to this, the Government has provided record investment in mental health services and suicide prevention, totalling $5.9 billion in 2020-21 in the health portfolio alone. On 18 December 2020, the Prime Minister announced the Hon David Coleman MP would be taking on the role of Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, again highlighting the Government's attention on this issue. In addition, a commitment of $1.6 billion in 2020-21 for homelessness through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement is in place with state and territory governments.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Morton

Temporary Graduate Visas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2296 concerning extending already granted Skilled-Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visas until the international border reopens.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the international community and respective health systems and economies. The key principles guiding Australian Government decisions on visas while responding to COVID-19 are that our visa system must support public health measures, and settings should not displace job opportunities for Australians .

The Government recognises the impact that COVID-19 has had on many temporary visa holders. While the Government is not considering a general extension at this time, the Government will continue to explore options for temporary visa holders impacted by COVID-19. When considering potential changes to visa policy settings, immigration risks, labour market impacts and protections for vulnerable workers are primary considerations .

Decisions on reopening the border to international travel will be based on expert health advice. Travel restrictions are reviewed regularly and the latest information is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au.

The Government continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and appreciates the concerns raised in Petition EN2296. The circumstances of the pandemic remain fluid and the Government will make decisions to address circumstances as they arise.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2296 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Hawke

Skilled Visas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2321 concerning the processing timeframes experienced by Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa applicants, and requests the House to request the Department of Home Affairs to allocate more resources to processing these visa applications.

The current Global visa processing timeframes for a Skilled Regional visa is 14 months for 75 per cent of applications and 19 months for 90 per cent of applications. Global visa processing timeframes can be found on the Department's website at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times.

Circumstances that affect processing timeframes include application completeness, applicant responses to requests for additional information, and the length of time required to perform necessary checks on supporting information. Other circumstances, such as how long it takes to receive information from external agencies (for example, relating to health, character and national security requirements) are outside of the Department's control.

As you are aware, due to COVID-19, some visa processing timeframes have also been affected and applications may take longer to finalise. In part, this is due to the need to prioritise applications for immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents with an urgent need to travel and applicants providing critical or specialist skills in support of the Australian Government's response to COVID-19 and economic recovery.

The Department endeavours to finalise Skilled Regional visa applications within reasonable timeframes, subject to the Government's priorities. As the Skilled Regional is a demand driven visa, finalisations are dependent on the number of applications on-hand and resources available. A concerted effort was made in the first half of 2020-21 to process applications for this subclass. More Skilled Regional visa applications have been finalised in the current program year up until 31 January 2021 than were granted in all of 2019-20.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2321 to my attention .

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Hawke

National Broadband Network

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email dated 18 March 2021 concerning petition EN2325, which raises concerns with the Telstra Velocity broadband network that services the Austin Lakes estate in Western Australia and requests that NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) be allowed to roll out in the estate.

I appreciate the concerns the petitioners have raised about the broadband services on the Telstra Velocity fibre network in Austin Lakes. Access to quality, high-speed broadband is of fundamental importance to Australian households, particularly when families may need to work and study from home. The Government expects carriers such as Telstra to provide high quality services that meet the needs of Australians living in areas where they operate networks.

The current Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) policy, which took effect in September 2020, allows NBN Co to overbuild alternative networks where it is commercial for it to do so. The previous version of the policy, which came into effect in 2015, also allowed NBN Co to overbuild alternative networks where it was commercial for it to do so, but did require NBN Co to seek Shareholder Ministers' approval before overbuilding. This requirement has now been removed. NBN Co may therefore overbuild another network, however, this is a commercial matter for the company. The residents of the Austin Lakes estate may wish to again ask NBN Co to consider a deployment in the estate, noting that whether or not it elects to do so, and any charges to recover the costs involved, are commercial matters for it.

Given the significant investments competing private sector carriers such as Telstra have made in servicing new developments, the Government's preference is to ensure they operate at a standard that meets community expectations. If the networks servicing estates operate appropriately, overbuilding by NBN Co should not be necessary.

On 18 December 2020, I made a legislative instrument to designate 127 Telstra Velocity network areas as statutory infrastructure provider (SIP) areas, including the Austin Lakes estate. Telstra is the SIP for those estates pending the completion of the sale of the networks to Uniti, and must meet connection and wholesale supply obligations. The Government has also consulted on proposed standards, rules and benchmarks, with which SIPs must comply. The proposed standards included timeframes for rectifying faults and other measures. The Government anticipates finalising this matter in the coming months.

Concerning the network outage in the Austin Lakes estate, Telstra advises that there was an outage from 24 December 2020 to 7 January 2021. The outage was caused by a fan failure in the exchange that triggered a critical temperature alarm shutdown. Telstra needed to order components to restore services, which took longer due to the holiday period.

Telstra also advises that a number of customers received compensation payments under the Customer Service Guarantee (CSG), noting the network provides voice as well as broadband services. The CSG is a consumer safeguard related to the supply of standard telephone services that requires telephone service providers to meet certain connection, repair and appointment-keeping timeframes or be subject to financial penalties.

Telstra advises that its retail broadband prices in the Austin Lakes estate are the same as its retail prices on the National Broadband Network.

I note that Uniti has announced that a number of retail service providers, including Telstra, will be able to sell services on the Velocity estates network once the transition to Uniti is complete. Uniti has also announced that it intends to conduct a network 'refresh' to increase maximum broadband speeds within the Velocity networks as it takes ownership of the networks.

Thank you for bringing the concerns of the residents of the Austin Lakes estate to my attention. I hope the information in this letter is of some help.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Mr Fletcher

Superannuation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, regarding petition number EN2332 that contained four signatures. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

I appreciate the time you take to ensure that superannuation matters important to the public are brought to the Government's attention. However, the Government has no intention to direct superannuation fund trustees to invest in particular assets as this could limit the capacity of trustees to pursue investment opportunities that maximise returns to members and, as a result, could reduce the retirement incomes of Australians.

Superannuation trustees have a fiduciary duty to make investments in the best interests of their members. These investment decisions do not always match individual member preferences about specific investments.

Several superannuation funds already offer members the ability to direct how they want their individual contributions invested among a range of companies and investment products. Such a fund would allow members to ensure that their money is being invested in line with their preferences. If their current superannuation fund does not offer this option, they may wish to consider whether switching to a different fund is in their best interest. Alternatively, they could establish a self-managed superannuation fund that would allow them total control over where their money is invested.

If they are interested in either of these options, I would encourage them to seek professional financial advice to ensure that any arrangements meet their personal needs and objectives.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Senator Hume

Member for Banks

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 22 March 2021 to the former Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Christian Porter MP, regarding Petition EN2376, which requests that the Hon David Coleman MP be referred to the High Court under section 47 of the Constitution. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition on the Government's behalf.

Neither the Attorney-General nor officers of the Attorney-General's Department provide legal advice to members of the public about the application of constitutional eligibility criteria to particular parliamentarians.

In any case, I note there has been no investigation of the qualifications of the Hon David Coleman MP by the House of Representatives Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, as would be required under a resolution of the House, before any reference of a question of qualifications to the High Court.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Class Actions

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, regarding petition number EN2385 that contained five signatures. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

In response to the petition, I note the Government is considering the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services in relation to litigation funding and the regulation of the class action industry. In particular, the report recommends the Government consult on a statutory minimum return to class members of gross class action proceeds.

The Government has also taken action on other elements of the class action framework, including third party funding. As the Australian Law Reform Commission identified in its Integrity, Fairness and Efficiency-An Inquiry into Class Action Proceedings and Third-Party Litigation Funders Final Report, third party litigation funding is an entrenched element of federal class action proceedings. From 2017 to 2018, 77 per cent of finalised class action proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia received third party funding. The Commission also found the median return to members in third party funded matters was 51 per cent of the settlement, compared to 85 per cent in unfunded proceedings.

The Government's changes removed exemptions which applied to litigation funding schemes used in class actions, and brought such schemes within the managed investment scheme regime of the Corporations Act 2001. This ensures litigation funders are subject to the same regulatory scrutiny and accountability as other financial services and products under the Act.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Senator Hume

Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence concerning petition number EN2387. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation. 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.

The Government has not mandated COVID-19 vaccination in Australia and individuals maintain the option to choose. However, it is important that everyone who can receive the vaccine, does so, to help keep themselves and others safe. Anyone with questions about the benefits of being vaccinated is encouraged to talk to their doctor or health professional.

Some states and territories have now issued public-health orders that require COVID-19 vaccination for people working in certain high-risk workplaces, only:

Queensland: From 31 March 2021, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all relevant health service employees, Queensland Ambulance Service employees and contractors.

Western Australia: From 10 May 2021, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to work in Western Australia's hotel quarantine system.

It is also possible that, in the future, vaccination against COVID-19 might become a requirement for travel to certain destinations, or for people working in certain high-risk workplaces. Where COVID-19 vaccination has been made mandatory, there will be exemptions in place for people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical and other reasons.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence concerning petition no. EN2393. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation. 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.

The Government has not mandated COVID-19 vaccination in Australia and individuals maintain the option to choose. However, it is important that everyone who can receive it, does so, to help keep themselves and others safe. Anyone with questions about the benefits of being vaccinated is encouraged to talk to their doctor or health professional.

Some states and territories have now issued public-health orders that require COVID-19 vaccination for people working in certain high-risk workplaces, only:

Queensland: From 31 March 2021, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all relevant health service employees, Queensland Ambulance Service employees and contractors

Western Australia: From 10 May 2021, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to work in Western Australia's hotel quarantine system.

It is also possible that, in the future, vaccination against COVID-19 might become a requirement for travel to certain destinations, or for people working in certain high-risk workplaces.

Where COVID-19 vaccination has been made mandatory, there will be exemptions in place for people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical and other reasons.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

From the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Quarantine

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning petition EN2408 calling on the Australian Government to handle all quarantine at a federal facility.

The National Health Security Agreement establishes a framework for clear, quick and informed decision making to support a coordinated national response to public health emergencies. As set out in the National Health Security Agreement, state and territory governments have primary operational responsibility for emergency management and public health in their respective jurisdictions. This ensures state and territory governments have an appropriate response adapted to each jurisdiction's local epidemiological and public health situation. Public health measures including quarantine requirements are enacted through each jurisdictions' respective public health and emergency legislation.

National quarantine requirements are informed by the expert medical advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). On 24 December 2020, the AHPPC published National Principles for Hotel Quarantine. This provides nationally agreed guiding principles to set benchmarks for managed quarantine programs across Australia. This way, Australia's efforts will be consistent nationally, while remaining flexible for jurisdictions to achieve a robust hotel quarantine program tailored to their local requirements. Per public health best practice, all states and territories receive and consider the advice of the AHPPC and its expert sub-committees.

On 14 April 2021, AHPPC published a statement on continuous learning in managed quarantine for international arrivals. The Continuous Improvement Framework considers the findings of previous reviews, including the National Review of Hotel Quarantine published on 23 October 2020. The Continuous Improvement Framework acknowledges there are always opportunities to improve current arrangements, and sets out a framework to ensure the findings of reviews, evaluations and audits are considered in national guidance. To date, there have been a small number of instances of COVID-19 linked to hotel quarantine in Australia. Recent positive cases of quarantine workers in Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria have to date not seen seeding events into the local community.

The Australian Government is supporting states and territories to provide safe and effective quarantine. As a result of the National Review of Hotel Quarantine, the Centre of National Resilience at Howard Springs was established and will continue to operate as an emergency national facility for quarantine. The Government and the Northern Territory agreed to work together on options to increase quarantine capacity at Howard Springs to 2000 places by the end of May. In addition, the Government acknowledges the large and vital contribution from the Australian Defence Force during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personnel have been deployed to assist with a wide variety of response functions, including quarantine control monitoring and assisting with testing and logistics.

While it is not possible for the Federal Minister for Health to be responsible for state and territory response activities, I wish to assure you that the Australian, state and territory governments are committed to continuous quality improvement and work together to coordinate an evidence-based response to COVID-19, based on the latest medical advice. Together, these actions have placed us in a good position globally.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Workplace Relations

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 regarding Petition Number EN2427. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Minimum wages are set by the Fair Work Commission, which is an independent body. In setting minimum wages, the Commission is required to consider a range of economic and social factors, including the performance and competitiveness of the national economy and the needs of the low paid. The current national minimum wage for adult workers effective 1 July 2020 is $19.84 per hour. It is important to recognise that the latest available data shows that Australia has the highest minimum wage in the Organisation for Cooperation and Development (OECD).

In the 2020 Annual Wage Review decision, the Commission increased the national minimum wage by 1.75 per cent, raising it by $0.35 from $19.49 per hour to $19.84 per hour.

The 2021 Annual Wage Review is currently underway. The Australian Government lodged its submission to the Review on 26 March 2021, providing the latest and most relevant data on the economy, labour market, low-paid workers, productivity, the employment impacts of minimum wages and inequality.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash

JobKeeper Payment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2428 - request for a further extension to the JobKeeper Payment for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The JobKeeper Payment was always intended to be a temporary program designed to support confidence and get businesses back up and running as soon as possible. It was designed to deliver support quickly and at scale and it has achieved its objective of keeping businesses in business and Australians in jobs. JobKeeper has supported nearly half of Australian businesses and one-third of all workers.

It was appropriate for the JobKeeper program to end as other support measures take effect and the economy strengthens. To do otherwise would have been counterproductive for the economy, as the continued operation of the program would have hampered labour mobility and people moving to more productive roles in the labour market.

As we move to the next stage of the Australian Government's Economic Recovery Plan, private sector activity will continue to be boosted through a number of measures including tax cuts, business investment incentives, more skills and training places, new infrastructure projects and targeted support like the $1.2 billion aviation and tourism package.

I acknowledge that the international education sector is an important part of the Australian economy - it supports many jobs and we want to see international students return to Australia. However, this can only proceed when it is safe to do so, and without impacting Australians trying to return home.

The Government is continuing to monitor the situation in different sectors, to ensure that policy responses are timely, appropriate and proportionate to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. However, we remain confident that there will continue to be a broad-based economic recovery over 2021, given recent strong employment growth and the decreasing reliance on JobKeeper over recent months.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence regarding Petition Number EN2451 calling on the House to support the formation of an international tribunal to investigate crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The DRC has been a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2002 and therefore the ICC's jurisdiction applies in the DRC. In 2004, the ICC opened an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the DRC from 1 July 2002 onwards. The ICC has since found several Congolese defendants guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Cases related to the DRC remain before the ICC.

Australia is a longstanding supporter of the ICC and provides consistent financial support to the Court. Australia also provides voluntary funding to key initiatives, including the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, which implements reparation awards and reconciliation activities in the DRC. Accordingly, Australia supports the ICC's existing investigation and prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the DRC.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Ethiopia

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter regarding Petition Number EN2510 on Tigray.

Australia is gravely concerned about human rights abuses, the humanitarian situation, and the presence of Eritrean forces in Tigray. Please see attached a statement I released on 30 March 2021. Australia has raised concerns directly with the Ethiopian Government and made statements at the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council.

Australia is a founding member of the 'Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence' and I strongly supported the group's April statement expressing deep concern at ongoing reports of gender-based violence and sexual violence in Tigray. I also conveyed Australia's concerns during my recent meetings in Geneva with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Australia will continue to advocate for an end to violence and joins calls for safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access in the region.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

STATEMENT

ATROCITIES IN TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA

Australia welcomes the joint inquiry into the Tigray conflict announced by the UN Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's 26 March announcement that Eritrea will withdraw troops from the Ethiopian border is also an important step. However, we continue to urge the Ethiopian Government to bring all perpetrators to account and end the violence.

Australia expresses its grave concerns of reported egregious human rights atrocities in Tigray, including systemic sexual and gender-based violence, including through the Human Rights Council.

Australia also strongly supports the joint statement of United Nations agency heads on 22 March condemning all sexual violence and pressing for action to bring perpetrators to justice where abuses occur.

Australia will provide $3 million to the World Food Programme to help meet the needs of those most vulnerable. We join calls for immediate and open humanitarian access to the region.

Media Contacts

David Wroe: +61 429 531 143

Melanie Ruiz: +61 427 888 392

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 13 May 2021, regarding 'divisive, racist, harmful and discriminatory political rhetoric' during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Australia has an open, multicultural society and a federal system of government where community groups—along with state and local level governments and parliamentarians—are free to express their views, within the tenets of Australian law. Australia has a consistent and clear position to encourage respectful dialogue among communities and nations.

The Commonwealth decides on foreign policy. With respect to Nagorno-Karabakh, Australia continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to negotiate a permanent settlement of the conflict. This should be based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of the non-use of force, territorial integrity and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples and be guided by the 'Madrid Principles' proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Falun Gong

Dear Chair

I refer to recent correspondence regarding Petition Number PN0505. The petition draws to the attention of the House allegations of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, including reports of state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in China. The petition requests the House take action in response.

Australia is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of belief for all people. We remain concerned that religious groups in China, including Falun Gong practitioners, and prisoners of conscience, continue to be targeted on the basis of their beliefs. We have regularly raised our concerns about this issue with China, including at ministerial level, both directly and in international forums.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is carefully monitoring reports of illegal organ harvesting in China, and regularly reviews available evidence as new reports are published. We are aware organs have been harvested from executed prisoners in China for use in medical transplants, at least prior to 2015. In May 2020, officials from the Australian High Commission in London met with the Chair of the China Tribunal, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, to further discuss the findings of the Tribunal's full report.

Australia is committed to preventing organ trafficking. Since 2004, the Government has had a comprehensive strategy to combat such crimes and is committed to ensuring Australia's response to organ trafficking and transplant tourism remains as effective as possible. Australia's states and territories have robust frameworks in place to regulate lawful donation and transplants of human organs and tissue for therapeutic purposes.

We will continue to closely monitor reports of mistreatment and restrictions against religious groups in China and seek opportunities to respond strongly to identified abuses.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Pesticides

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning petition EN2458 requesting a Royal Commission on the Australian Pesticides Regulation System.

The safe use of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals is vital for farm productivity, protecting crops and livestock from a broad range of weeds, insects and disease. Farm productivity, in turn, provides food and fibre to all Australians and supports our vibrant regional communities.

I appreciate the concerns raised in the petition regarding the regulation of pesticides in Australia and recognise the potential risks posed by the improper use of agvet chemicals. That is why the Australian Government's priority with respect to agvet chemical use is protecting people, animals and the environment.

In Australia, agvet chemicals are regulated under the National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals. Before agvet chemical products can be supplied or used in Australia they must be evaluated and registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

The APVMA employs a robust, risk-based approach to regulate agvet chemicals, rather than a hazard-based approach. A hazard assessment considers only the potential for harm due to the intrinsic properties of a chemical. A risk assessment combines hazard assessment with exposure assessment in real-world situations, including in urban areas, to calculate the likelihood of an adverse outcome. The APVMA's assessment also considers the risk of pesticide spray drift: the unintended movement of pesticides from the application site to nearby areas, such as between neighbouring farms. It is a legislative requirement that the APVMA only register agvet chemical products where it is satisfied that the risks of use can be mitigated through specific dosage, application and safety instructions on the product label.

State and territory governments are then responsible for regulating and enforcing the safe use of agvet chemicals after they are sold.

To ensure the continued safety, quality and effectiveness of agvet chemicals supplied within Australia, manufacturers and users are required to provide information on adverse experiences to the APVMA. In response to an adverse experience report, the APVMA may request changes to how the product is manufactured, packaged or used. The APVMA can cancel the registration of a product and remove it from the market where there are unmitigated risks.

The government does not consider that there has been a failure in the regulation of pesticides that would warrant the level of enquiry, investigative powers and cost of a Royal Commission. Isolated instances of concern and differences in international regulatory practice are not signs of a systematic or systemic issue. The Australian system remains strong overall, with opportunities for targeted and ongoing improvement.

The government continues to look at opportunities to improve the regulatory system. You may be aware that an independent panel of experts recently completed a comprehensive review on the regulatory framework. The review examined the agvet chemicals regulatory framework's aims, structure, and operation, and made recommendations to ensure it is contemporary and fit for purpose. I am currently considering the final report of the review and working with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to develop timelines for a government response. The review report will be published in due course.

Thank you for raising this matter.

Yours sincerely

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

Housing Affordability

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning Petition EN2486 - work with APRA and impose restrictions on lenders to only allow a sole borrower on all loans.

The Australian Government does not prescribe the conditions under which housing loans are provided but does set regulatory standards through its prudential regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Prudential regulation is concerned with maintaining the safety and soundness of financial institutions, so that the community can have confidence that they will meet their financial commitments under all reasonable circumstances. In recent years, APRA intensified its prudential supervision to ensure the stability of the banking sector, including targeting sound lending standards, the share of interest-only loans in all new residential mortgage lending, and growth in investor housing loans. These measures reflected concerns about elevated risks in home loan lending, in an environment of historically low interest rates, high and rising household debt, intensified competition pressure and subdued income growth.

APRA's lending benchmarks on investor and interest-only lending were always intended to be temporary. Both had served their purpose of moderating higher risk lending and supporting a gradual strengthening of lending standards across the industry over a number of years.

APRA is closely monitoring current developments in the housing market and has a range of macroprudential tools that could be used should risks to financial stability emerge.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Parliament

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter of 24 May 2021, requesting a response to petition EN2599 relating to the removal of the daily prayer from the House of Representatives standing orders.

With respect to the Australian Constitution, section 50 provides:

Each House of the Parliament may make rules and orders with respect to -

(i) The mode in which its powers, privileges, and immunities may be exercised and upheld:

(ii) The order and conduct of its business and proceedings either separately or jointly with the other House.

Standing order 38 clearly sets out the requirement for the Chair to commence each sitting day with an acknowledgement of country, followed by prayers. It is open to the House to amend this, or any standing order, if it wishes.

The matter of daily prayers has been raised with this office previously and has been examined by the House on several occasions. The form of prayers however has not changed since 1901 - the exceptions being the addition of words introduced in 1918 for the duration of the war, and in 2010, the addition of an acknowledgement of country.

As you are aware, the conduct of the House rests with the Members themselves, and any changes to the standing orders can only be approved with the support of a majority of Members.

Yours sincerely

from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Smith

Postponement

Postponement

Budget

Assyrian People

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Public Works Committee

Agreement for Members to Contribute Remotely to Parliamentary Proceedings

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Nationals: Leadership

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Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

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