Petitions Committee

COVID-19: Vaccination

There is currently a massive human tragedy taking place in parts of the world as a result of the pandemic, most notably India who's medical system has been overwhelmed.

Australia has, through swift action and natural affordance of being a well isolated / sparse population, brought the pandemic under control.

We therefore ask the House to delay vaccinations to the general population. Following the completion of Phase 1b, we ask that Australia re-route it's available vaccine supply to those nations who's medical system has collapsed from epidemic conditions.

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2673)

COVID-19: International Travel

International travel to see family overseas

Australia has thousands of residents and citizens with family over the world

We have the right to visit our family many have elderly parents siblings and extended family.

It is a basic human right to see them.

People have sick family members dying and cannot say goodbye.

Family is very important and time is very precious.

We therefore ask the House to

Allow international travel to see family overseas not just on compassionate grounds for the basic right to see family

from 1070 citizens (Petition No. EN2677)

Food Imports

plenty of foods from overseas are imported but very few are checked. we need more % and vigorous testings be done regarding pesticides, formaldehyde (in fish), additives and metallic toxins. if we are lax about tit, that will only add to our medical expenses of our health system in Australia. so....PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

We therefore ask the House to PASSA RESOLUTION ASKING THE AGRICULTURE DEPRTMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STAFF, INCREASE THE % OF TESTINGS AND INCREASE THE VIGOUR OF THE TESTINGS, TO AVOID HIGH EXPENDITURE TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

from 9 citizens (Petition No. EN2679)

Youth Allowance

The Centrelink Age of Independence for Youth Allowance sits at 22. Young Australians can drink, smoke and drive at the age of 18 but are not considered independent. Even students moving out of home to attend university can be denied access to income support based on a parent or partner's income. In the higher education sector, the global pandemic has meant that students are more vulnerable and poorer than ever before. Students are the victims of the casual workforce, penalty rate cuts and the shutdown of industries predominantly worked in by young people due to COVID-19. With funding provided by Universities drying up and the Federal Government income support being reconsidered, anyone can see the impending impact on young people.

The health crisis isn't over and the economic crisis certainly isn't over. We should be ensuring that Australia's future is well protected by investing in young people to be able to live and study and not sending them through the cracks of our welfare system to potential lifetimes of poverty. We need to fund our future.

A liveable wage is essential so students are not skipping meals, going without medication, sleeping rough or couch surfing. Recognising that young people are independents from the age of 18 is critical to assist those in difficult or unstable households and queer youth.

We therefore ask the House to lower the Centrelink Age of Independence from 22 to 18.

from 13360 citizens (Petition No. EN2680)

Immigration

With the government beginning to discuss migration levels once again, we believe it is necessary to make changes whilst we are in a position to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time of zero immigration.

The current level of migration is the merging of a whole lot of vested interests:

- The government loves immigration because it increases the tax base/forward estimates without having to do anything beyond changing a number on a spreadsheet.

- Big business loves immigration because it grows markets and pushes down wages.

- The real estate industry loves immigration because it pushes up housing prices.

- The building industry loves immigration because it creates demand.

- Universities love immigration because it props up their balance sheet.

In the absence of mass migration during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen living standards actually increase in 2020 at a faster rate than the average over the past decade, rapidly declining unemployment rate and forecasted acceleration in wage growth.

We believe the government should stand for the Australian people, not big business who are for a big Australia and do not have our interests at heart.

We therefore ask the House to impose more sustainable cap of 70,000-80,000 permanent migrants per year inline with last century averages.

from 11 citizens (Petition No. EN2681)

Census

The census is an important tool to identify the demographic of Australia population. Currently while Cantonese is recognised as "language spoke at home", this does NOT reflect the unique identity of Cantonese-speaking Hong Kongers. Culturally Hong Konger's identity are not the same as Mainland Chinese or Taiwan Chinese, there are major cultural difference between ethnic Chinese originated from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia...etc. Grouping all ethnic Chinese together in the census will affect government services for Cantonese-speaking Hong Kongers as well as other. Therefore these culturally diverse group should be separated at the census. This is to ensure the unique identity of Cantonese-speaking Hong Kongers recognized in Australia,

We therefore ask the House to recognise the unique identity of Cantonese-speaking Hong Kongers in all future census from 2021 onward.

from 2520 citizens (Petition No. EN2682)

COVID-19: Cruise Industry

Cruising is a much loved and missed holiday type in Australia. The cruise ban that is STILL in place after the effective eradication of SARS-CoV-2 in our country is unnecessary. Cruisers are desperate for their cruise holidays.

There are ways to safely get vaccinated crew and ships to Australia, and with careful health and safety measures, domestic cruising can resume with Australians on board. We are already granting entry exemptions for thousands of overseas workers to support industry - crew are no different. The ban is continuing to be economically damaging, losing Australians businesses, jobs and income.

Cruise lines globally have committed to extensive new health protocols in response to COVID-19, including 100% testing of all passengers and crew. With these measures in place, we see an opportunity for a carefully managed and phased resumption of cruising in Australia.

Some will wait, but the vast majority of cruisers would get on a ship from Australia tomorrow if they could. Cruising has resumed very successfully in many other parts of the world, including Europe and Singapore. No other country with cruises resumed have eradicated the virus from their countries, yet they are STILL safely cruising.

There are NO good reasons to continue this ban. It's time to safely allow ships back.

We therefore ask the House to lift the ban on foreign flagged ships and allow cruising to resume in Australia with Australian's on board and include them in future 'travel bubbles'.

from 66 citizens (Petition No. EN2683)

Suicide Prevention

Nine Australians die everyday by suicide, and over 65,000 people make a suicide attempt each year.

When a person is in a crisis state of mind, they need quick and easy access to help.

Yes we have multiple helplines available, but do you know their numbers off the top of your head?

Suicide survivors have explained that moments before an attempt, you are fighting with your own brain. "It does not let you access other ways of thinking".

This is why a 3 digit suicide prevention hotline is needed.

A simple and fast number that everyone can remember, no matter what state of mind.

If we have a simple 3 digit number, kids can also learn this number in school. Friends and family members can also rely on this for instant help for their loved ones.

Every second counts for those contemplating suicide, lets make access for them simple.

Please sign and help show your support, so we can help those that struggle in silence.

We therefore ask the House to put In motion a 3 digit suicide prevention hotline.

from 16 citizens (Petition No. EN2684)

COVID-19: Skilled Migration Program

Australia's economy has been plummeting since the past year and businesses have closed due to the border closure in place. We need skilled workers back into Australia especially on the hospitality and tourism sector which has been deemed as critical sectors.

We need them now more than ever for the recovery of the country's economy as their purpose of going into Australia is beneficial to the country.

We therefore ask the House to make an appeal to the Federal government and to the Australian Border Force to allow skilled workers and their dependents back into Australia and urge the Federal government to build legitimate quarantine facilities in order to enlarge the cap of inbound travelers without compromising the quarantine slots for Australian coming back home.

from 6 citizens (Petition No. EN2685)

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 Anti-Descrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms/ Equality Bill. 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 71 citizens (Petition No. EN2686)

Agriculture Industry

Soil is a complex and diverse ecosystem filled with living organisms from a diverse range of species, providing a crucial resource for the Earth's ecosystem and anthropic needs of primary food production. These anthropogenic activities are evident globally, particularly within the agricultural sector. The inherent nature of mass-scale intensive cropping systems has favoured poor soil management relying on synthetic external inputs. These activities have left humanity in a precarious position as the soil is ill-equipped to deal with the changing environment. Climate change is the greatest existential threat presently posed to Australia; increased variance of climatic conditions, particularly rainfall, will compound challenges on the driest continent on Earth. Current agricultural practices are not conducive to a sustainable future, particularly in a time of increasing unpredictability. Regenerative agriculture is a farming process that rejuvenates the health of the soil, increasing resilience to all climate stresses without the need for chemicals and damaging practices

We therefore ask the House to to implement: (1) Nationwide education program targeting primary producers and consumers utilising positive storytelling of successful regenerative enterprises. (2) Mandate distribution of literature at rural stores with every pesticide/herbicide sale. (3) Updated best practice guides focusing on soil health. (4) Creation of regenerative agriculture certification to assist businesses supporting sustainable vendors. We believe these measures will assist in the paradigm switch needed to correct an outdated way of thinking. These measures will cost the Government very little to implement but will increase climatic and economic resilience exponentially.

from 32 citizens (Petition No. EN2687)

Broadband

NBN Co have been unable to provide fibre to all Australians - some Australians within 30km of major CBDs have been allocated Skymuster satellite, an inferior alternative, with high latency reducing the value of the service.

International internet satellite operators have commenced operating in Australia, offering competition to NBN, using low earth orbit to provide low latency and very high speeds. The first example is Starlink.

However, the ACMA's spectrum licensing cost, has meant Starlink has chosen to only purchase a license to operate in regional areas.

So a large number of Australians are considered too rural to receive fibre NBN, but not rural enough for NBN's competitor.

Now that Internet is a basic utility, needed in a post-pandemic world of work from home, it is no longer satisfactory to make basic spectrum a source of profit for the government.

In the same way that citizens expect providers of electricity and road access to be able to license the necessary infrastructure affordably, we now expect spectrum to be priced to allow internet access to all of us - we cannot have one government body defining an area as rural, and another defining an area as metro, when they are defining access to the same service.

We therefore ask the House to direct the ACMA to match the NBN satellite allocation area in defining what is low and remote density (area 74) for Spectrum purposes, so that thousands of urban Australians, neglected by the NBN, can have fast access to the internet.

from 213 citizens (Petition No. EN2688)

Middle East

Our deepest concern in relation to the aggression of the illegal Israeli settlers and

forces against the civilian worshippers at Alaqsa Mosque and Gaza Strip. This round

of violence and aggression is nothing but a collective punishment against the

Palestinian people resisting the illegal eviction of the Palestinian families at "Aljarrah

District".

We therefore ask the House to ;Your petitioners ask that the Senate:

1- Call on the Israeli government to immediately stop their aggression

towards Palestinian civilians and worshipers

2- Demand that the Israeli government stop backing illegal settlement in the

Palestinian territory as well eviction of Palestinian families

3- Support the Palestinian people in their pursuit of a sovereign and viable

state.

from 20 citizens (Petition No. EN2692)

COVID-19: International Travel

Currently Australia is the only country in the world who is not allowing their citizens to leave.

This country is made up of around 30% of people from overseas. Thousands are missing out on meeting their grandchildren, seeing their elderly parents, and others are separated from their significant others with no clear roadmap of when they may see eachother again. It's devastating thousands of Australians.

Most Australians appreciate the response to covid but other countries like New Zealand have allowed their own citizens to leave at their own while preventing a major outbreak.

If people are willing to pay for quarantine on the way back, seeing family should absolutely be a compelling reason. If actors can come and go for work, ordinary people should be able to return to a country they are a citizen of for a visit to see their loved ones.

We therefore ask the House to include visiting family as a "compassionate " or "compelling" reason to leave.

from 60 citizens (Petition No. EN2693)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Some people find it against their moral-code and/or religion to accept free gifts from the tax-payer. COVID-19 vaccines are essential for our health and as of now are unavailable on the free market.

We therefore ask the House to allow those who so wish, to pay a fair price for their COVID-19 vaccination and to provide some mechanism by which they can do so. (obviously, others who do not want to pay for their vaccination should still receive it for free)

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2695)

COVID-19: International Travel

Indian variant of COVID is already spreading around the world, and there is no guarantee the existing vaccines will be effective.

We therefore ask the House to stop repatriation of people from The Indian sub continent. the risk of COVID variant is to great to allow into Australia.

from 18 citizens (Petition No. EN2696)

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

From 1 June 2021, Avastin will be withdrawn from the PBS, which means it will no longer be available to metastatic bowel cancer patients as a subsidised treatment.

This coincides with the anticipated listing on the PBS of a biosimilar brand of Avastin, removing any 'real choice' for many patients and unfairly penalising those who are unable to privately fund Avastin.

If metastatic bowel cancer patients remain on Avastin after 1 June, they will have to pay for it.

If they cannot afford it, they will be forced to switch to the biosimilar.

There is currently no publicly available evidence to support the safety of nonmedical switching in patients with metastatic bowel cancer.

REVERSE the decision to take the chemotherapy drug AVASTIN off the PBS subsidised list as of June 1st 2021.

This drug is used by thousands of people diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer and is instrumental to their treatment regime. June is Bowel Cancer Awareness month. Bowel cancer is fast becoming one of this countries biggest killers. Let's not celebrate the month by taking away people's medication!

We therefore ask the House to work with the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to reverse this decision to take the chemotherapy drug Avastin off the PBS subsidised list as of June 1st 2021.

from 774 citizens (Petition No. EN2697)

Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are attacking services and infrastructure at all levels - from privately owned businesses, to corporations and Government operations. They do this for profit. Paying ransom supports and extends their resources, causing much larger damage to citizens and their Governments in the future. This process needs to be stopped and the only effective way is to stop paying ransoms - making such payments officially illegal. Paying a ransom, irrelevant of the situation, means directly supporting terrorism. Australia can lead the way, being the first country introducing effective way of stopping this type of crime.

We therefore ask the House to consider ammending the law and classifying a ransomware payment to cybercriminals as an act of supporting terrorism.

from 8 citizens (Petition No. EN2698)

COVID-19: International Travel

Unmarried couples have now been separated for over a year by the Australian border closures, causing significant impacts on mental health and in many cases, separating Australian citizens from their closest supports. This particularly disadvantages same-sex couples who until recently were unable to marry in Australia and are still unable to marry in many countries. Many countries have implemented 'sweetheart visas' to allow unmarried couples to reunite, , recognising that this travel is essential to the health and wellbeing of their citizens and should be permitted on a humanitarian basis.

We therefore ask the House to allow unmarried and same-sex couples to enter Australia under a travel exemption, and to consider this urgently in light of the delays in the Australian vaccine rollout and the ongoing toll of separation on many thousands of Australians with partners overseas.

from 241 citizens (Petition No. EN2702)

Alcohol

Our organisation targeted Melbourne young adults as our priority group. Our rationale behind it is that there is a high prevalence of excessive drinking among young adults in Melbourne. There is an overall low awareness of the complication of excessive drinking in Australia. Furthermore, young adults are more likely to acquire excessive drinking habits due to different factors. For example, peer pressure and social norms are some risk factors our organisation would like to address. Therefore, our organisation would like to raise awareness of the impacts of binge drinking among young adults in Melbourne.

Excessive drinking among young adults is associated with a greater risk of short-term and long-term adverse alcohol-related outcomes. In the short term, young adults may experience injuries and deaths, blackouts, unintended pregnancy and violence due to binge drinking. Additionally, young adults may also experience long term harm, including impaired brain and liver development and functioning. Therefore awareness of the impacts of binge drinking should be raised among young people.

We therefore ask the House to introduce health warning labels on alcohol products.

We also ask the House to protect children exposed to alcohol advertisements from the sponsorships in sports broadcasts.

from 10 citizens (Petition No. EN2704)

Regional Skilled Worker Visas

skilled regional visa holders should be afforded the same rights as a permanent visa holder in relation to the purchase of residential property in a regional area. If we still treat them as foreign investors, the huge amount of stamp duty and FIRB will be a huge barrier for them to settle in the regional area.

Having their own houses will help to keep the regional visa holders stay in regional area, after they become a permanent visa holders.

We therefore ask the House to give the regional visa holders have the same rights as a permanent visa holder in relation to purchase of residential property in a regional area.

from 410 citizens (Petition No. EN2708)

Middle East

The people of Palestine are under an apartheid and Israel is committing many war crimes without being held accountable. Palestinians are deprived of many basic human rights and are forced to defend against an unequal enemy. Palestine is under illegal occupation and recent resistance has been a response to the many years of abuse and terror. As Australia is a member of the UN, it should not stay silent against the injustice Israel is committing.

We therefore ask the House to take action in condemning Israel's brutality and war crimes to the Palestinian people. We also ask that the House enact federal laws to ban the import of goods from countries enforcing apartheid regimes and breaking international laws, particularly Israel. Australia should not provide any military weapons to Israel and other countries engaging in such behaviour. It is not enough to send humanitarian aid to a country that is constantly being broken down, it's people murdered. Australia has to do more.

from 65 citizens (Petition No. EN2710)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Vaccine passports must be OUTLAWED for the following reasons:

(1) They violate freedom of choice and bodily autonomy.

(2) They discriminate against people who choose not to get vaccinated.

(3) They widen access to medical records and therefore violate patient privacy.

Also:

(1) COVID-19 vaccines can cause severe side effects or death. Creating an environment where people feel pressured to be inoculated is extremely immoral.

(2) COVID-19 vaccines are not well understood, especially the side effects and who can be impacted by them. (This was demonstrated by blood clotting in some young people as a result of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.) As such, creating an environment where people feel pressured to be inoculated is tantamount to scientific experimentation.

(3) COVID-19 vaccines may cause infertility and cancer. (This was not ruled out by studies.) As such, creating an environment where people feel pressured to be inoculated could have catastrophic implications for our general population.

(4) COVID-19 vaccines make people up to eight times more susceptible to other variants of the virus. (This was proven by a recent study in Israel.) As such, creating an environment where people feel pressured to be inoculated is tantamount to harm.

Lastly: Vaccine passports are NOT based in science. If they were, the World Health Organisation would not have dissuaded nations from using them (Feb 5, 2020).

We therefore ask the House to OUTLAW vaccine passports. No Australian should feel pressured to take an experimental vaccine against a virus which has a recovery rate of up to 99.97%.

from 2641 citizens (Petition No. EN2711)

COVID-19: International Travel

Australian citizens and PR are unable to travel internationally to be reunited with their fiancées/de facto partners as they are not classed as 'immediate family'. The connection between partners is equally as important to migrants as it is to couples living in Australia. Australians and PR have not seen their overseas partners for more than a year due to the travel ban and a strict exemption criteria which prevents Prospective Marriage Visa holders (Subclass 300) from obtaining exemptions unless they present a 'compelling reason'. COVID-19 has impacted many Australians, however, being apart from their partners for an extended period of time without an indication of when they will be reunited puts unrealistic expectations on those desperate to see their main support system. This has had a profound impact, mental health has significantly declined, people have had to give up work due to limited support. Majority of Citizens and PR have jobs and study commitments which mean they cannot leave the country for 3 months or more.

If an individual has been deemed to be in a genuine, and continuing relationship by the Department of Immigration, they should be able to enter the country given they are willing and able to pay for their flights and abide by hotel quarantine laws.

We therefore ask the House to add Prospective Marriage Visa holders (Subclass 300) to the category of individuals exempt from the current COVID-19 travel bans. Reunification with partners, especially prospective marriage partners, should be a compelling and compassionate reason.

from 4090 citizens (Petition No. EN2712)

Home Ownership

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme was a fantastic government initiative for lower income Australians like my husband and I. For years, we struggled to make ends meet while saving for even a 5% deposit, while living in one of the most expensive states in Australia (VIC).

Thanks to FHLDS, we managed to secure a spot and not pay LMI, which is usually the equivalent of a deposit as well. However, despite meeting all the technical eligibility criteria's, we may end up losing our spot and putting our entire home acquisition process into jeopardy because of one little requirement.

One of the requirements for a Home & Land (New Home) property is to commence construction within 6 months of signing the building contract. While this is well and good if you are buying titled property, most people will go for untitiled property as well and we know about the notorious delays when it comes to titling and registration.

We therefore ask the House to consider either matching the HomeBuilder extension that was recently provided so that the 6 month commencement requirement is extended or to consider applications on a case by case basis when it comes to this requirement which isn't technically an eligibility criteria. I have contacted NHFIC and they have advised they won't be flexible with this rule. I have contacted my bank and they have advised we are at the mercy of NHFIC and if they say no, we will have to pay LMI!

from 27 citizens (Petition No. EN2714)

Middle East

Successive Israeli governments have severely discriminated against and brutally dominated Palestinians since the Nakba of 1948.

The latest attacks in Gaza and throughout East Jerusalem, the West Bank and inside Israel show that the Nakba has never ended.

The systematic oppression of Palestinians amounts to grave breaches of international law and the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.

Palestinians have been subject to ongoing largescale military assaults and an illegal 14-year physical and economic blockade in Gaza; a brutal 54-year military occupation; decades-long restrictions on freedom of movement; widespread imposition of an illegal settlement enterprise; confiscation of land and mass denial of residency rights.

These actions intentionally and severely deprive millions of Palestinians of key fundamental rights and protections including the right to self-determination, the right of return, the right to equality and non-discrimination, and the rights to life, liberty, health, water, and security.

The Australian Government has a responsibility as a signatory to numerous international treaties to take action against Israel due to these grave violations of international law, which are also criminal offences under Australian law.

We therefore ask the House to 1) publicly condemn Israel's assaults on Palestinians.

2) support targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.

3) support the suspension of defence cooperation with Israel and end defence industry partnerships.

4) introduce legislation to ban all settlement goods and services from entering Australia.

5) prevent Australian companies from operating, trading, or investing in settlements or contributing to their maintenance and/or expansion.

from 21991 citizens (Petition No. EN2715)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Australia's sluggish vaccination program stumbles behind the developed world.

As the Australian Medical Association points out, even with border controls, Australians are "sitting ducks" unless we get vaccinated.

But at the current rate, it will take around 4 years to vaccinate the population. That's 4 years of lockdowns, travel bans and the economic impact of shutting this country away from the world. The tourism industry will die, jobs will be lost and Australian families will be cut off from loved ones living abroad.

Leaving the job to local GPs with busy appointment bookings isn't working.

We therefore ask the House to set up mass vaccination centres and launch a national media campaign to positively promote the Covid jab. Our country needs national leadership in the face of a national crisis. And in the end, just locking the country down will not save us.

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN2716)

Building and Construction Industry

Building and construction industry is backbone to Australian economy.

But every minute fraud builders and developers ruining lives with deception and dishonesty.

There is nothing stopping them. They have no regard for local governments.

There is no point giving grants for constructions if they will loose more money to fraud builders and end up in civil courts.

People shouldn't have to deal with it.

Fraudsters should be criminally liable and prosecuted.

People of Australia deserve genuineness and fairness in construction industry.

We request you to make mandatory prison term for repeat offenders and all the monies should be recovered from their families who benefits from it.

We therefore ask the House to make law to protect our construction industry from fraud builders and developers.

from 21 citizens (Petition No. EN2718)

Racism

Many people experience racist behaviour.

The Challenging Racism Project has found that 20 per cent of Australians surveyed had experienced racial discrimination in the form of race hate talk, and about 5 per cent had been attacked because of their race.

According to the Scanlon Foundation's Mapping Social Cohesion survey in 2016, 20 per cent of Australians had experienced racial or religious discrimination during the past 12 months.

Media reports and commentary that use negative stereotypes about refugees and migrants can fuel prejudice against these groups in the wider community. The Media which is majority Anglo-Saxon actively promotes negativity with Ethnically diverse indiviudals and is tearing the social cohesion of the country.

This is disgusting and unacceptable, this means that thousands of Australian of a diverse background both ethnically and religouslly are lviing in fear of being attacked phycisllay or verbally just because of who they are. This is a social pandemic and it needs curing.

It is 2021 we need this to change and we need to have an uncomforable conversation.

We therefore ask the House to request a national forum be created to discuss of the state of multicultural affairs in Australia where MP's can Hear out continuing concerns about the treatment of Australian citizens of an Ethnically diverse background in 2021.

from 4 citizens (Petition No. EN2720)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Australian constitution supports the right for one to have choice in medical procedures that they undertake. Therefore should have the choice to take or not to take any covid vaccination or mrna based procedure.

We therefore ask the House to not make any vaccination/ mRNA based vaccine procedure mandatory. No restriction of travel or enployment based on vaccination status.

from 1607 citizens (Petition No. EN2722)

Yoga

Yoga is the contribution from ancient sages from India to the whole humanity. Though it is an ancient concept, its application is still relevant and will be relevant in the future also.

The yoga has enriched the lives of people in the areas of:

• Physical, mental, social, and spiritual health

• Become positive in life and positive people can alone contribute to others

• Increased productivity

• Reduced absenteeism in the workplace

• Healthy individual, healthy community

• Effectively addresses mental health issue such as depression and anxiety

• Clarity in thinking increases and the mind becomes creative

• Helps in curing many physiological and mental health issues

• Helps in reducing the strain on national health budget

• Helps in coming off from addiction of alcohol, drugs and narcotics

• Helps in crime prevention

• Helps in rehabilitation of prisoners

• Contributes towards the wealth of the nation

• Religious tolerance

• Service mentality towards humanity

• Environmental protection

• Sustainable living

• Yoga practitioners are a great asset to the nation

We have seen and experienced this by serving the Australian and global community tirelessly for nearly two decades and added value to the lives of thousands of people.

We therefore ask the House to promote yoga in Australia by:

• Introducing yoga in the schools as the yoga is for all to bring out the best in them

• Promote yoga and meditation at the workplace to address rampant mental health issues and to increase the productivity

• Give insurance, Medicare, and tax rebate to yoga practitioners as they contribute more to the nation than they draw.

• Promote yoga retreat centres as they promote health rather than firefighting fixing the problems

from 2085 citizens (Petition No. EN2724)

Gig Industry

Gig workers income is continually decreasing but require workers to do more. This situation is currently impacting thousands of workers ability to pay for essentials such as rent, food, electricity, etc. This also impacts the mental health of gig workers. Companies such as DoorDash, UberEats, Deliveroo, etc profits are increasing however, the companies are decreasing workers pay.

We therefore ask the House to pass legislation that will see gig workers have a minimum income to protect the life essentials and mental health

from 35 citizens (Petition No. EN2730)

COVID-19: International Travel

After the travel ban imposed in march 2020 the Australian government took a very wise decision for the new post study graduate work visa subclass(485) holders that their visa duration will commence only after entering the country. while on the other hand visa holders from the same subclass category who had previously approved work visas, who came to visit their families before the border closure and were stuck overseas due to the travel restrictions were not given any such provisions. Thousands had hardly spent a few days on that visa and the rest of the visa duration is just getting wasted. Hundreds of people in this subclass have their visas expired and hundreds of others are on the verge of expiration. when the subclass category is same, the visa fees paid by both the new as well as the old visa holders is same, then being in the same subclass why is this discrimination done between the new and the old ones. Also recently Australian government has announced that sponsored parents (temporary ) visas will also be provided with an extension of 18 months. Then why is the same extension not provided for 485 visa holders stuck overseas?

We therefore ask the House to please take this discrimination done to us in consideration and request them to treat the overseas stuck 485 visa holders equally by granting them the provision of extension and freezing their visas until tehir return to Australia from the date of border closure.

from 2108 citizens (Petition No. EN2731)

COVID-19: International Travel

Due to the vicious entity of new variants of COVID-19 in India, some people only showed the symptom or get sick after 14 days quarantines, therefore, we strongly request that Australian government should impose 28 days quarantines in order to protect the safety and health of all Australian residents!

We therefore ask the House to listen to our propose and take the immediate actions

from 32 citizens (Petition No. EN2735)

International Travel

There are many expatriates who have immediate family that they need to see overseas.

This will become a human rights issue soon if the Australian government does not allow people to leave the country to be with their loved ones and return

We therefore ask the House to allow permanent residents and citizens to leave the country to see family that are overseas.

from 1313 citizens (Petition No. EN2736)

Parents and Carers

In Australia there is a terrifying lack of protection for parents during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy of their children. I have witnessed situations where women had their rental agreement terminated and were forced to move house in the middle of a high-risk pregnancy, or where temporary employment contracts were not extended such that pregnant women would not be able to make use of their maternity leave. I have also seen situations where parents were bullied out of job after taking time off work as a result of emergencies arising during a high risk pregnancy.

We therefore ask the House to put in place appropriate measures to improve the protection of parents during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy of children

from 77 citizens (Petition No. EN2738)

Middle East

Palestine is under leadership of hamas . Hamas are a fanatical regime that keep bomb Israel . Killing children and elderly . Sanctions should be placed on them until they agree to stop aggression towards Israel. Doesn't matter of the original reason of the conflict between the country's .they should stop killing innocent civilians .

We therefore ask the House to place sanctions on palestine. To show Australia isn't getting involved in the problems of Palestine and Israel but we won't tolerate the killing of innocent civilians.

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN2741)

Youth Allowance

The current criteria for independency for Centrelink Youth Allowance is outdated and not suitable for today's youth. The maximum fortnightly earning of $437 is not sufficient is the current economical climate we live in. There are many different factors for each individuals case which should be taken into consideration when applications for Youth Allowance are assessed.

We therefore ask the House to review the current criteria and rules surrounding applications for Youth Allowance and review the criteria for how much an individual can earn in relation to how much they receive from Centrelink.

from 57 citizens (Petition No. EN2743)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The ABC is a publicly funded media service however continually show a significant bias towards specific political parties. They have continually shown double standards in their reporting of certain issues and this should not be happening. The ABC must be apolitical rather than show favour to specific parties and on issues

We therefore ask the House to conduct a Royal Commission into the ABC and their bias reporting

from 184 citizens (Petition No. EN2744)

National Education Standards

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth and gave life to all living things and the ability to reproduce according to their kind.

Some people are trying to attack and cancel the Judeo-Christian culture in our society by promoting a fictitious evolutionary worldview in our Australian Curriculum.

For decades those people have claimed that 'pond scum' miraculously gained life and miraculously evolved by chance and natural selection into something as complicated as the human body. This theory has fatal flaws, is false, and should have been discarded as an invalid scientific theory a long time ago.

No one has ever observed life coming from nonlife. The complexity of all living things could not happen by chance but supports a designer (God). The belief that genetic information can be added to the cell that specifies how to make complex new features has never been seen to occur naturally.

Those that control the content of the Australian Curriculum appear to be promoting an evolutionary atheistic worldview.

We therefore ask the House to conduct an independent inquiry into this matter to stop evolutionary indoctrination in the Australian Curriculum as it has fatal flaws and should not be considered a valid theory to explain our origins and to include the scientific evidence that supports the Biblical Theory of Creation and worldwide flood.

Millions of Australians who believe in a Creator have a right to know of the scientific evidence that supports their worldview in the Australian Curriculum. It shouldn't be censored.

from 286 citizens (Petition No. EN2747)

Family Law

It is far to easy for false allegations to be made (particularly against men) leading to long drawn out expensive court proceedings.

There is currently no consequence for making these allegations which may (and do) destroy lives.

These allegations have led to poverty, mental health decline and ultimately suicide as once you are accused you are unfortunately guilty until proven innocent.

This not only takes its toll on the "accused" but also their children, not to mention creating a back log in the system.

A system that is designed to protect but can not simply due to the fact that so much time and money is wasted on lies.

We therefore ask the House to please consider our petition and the fact that so many Australian men are taking their own lives due to not having the strength/support or finances to fight an uphill battle.

If there were consequences for falsely accusing someone of something and it found to be disproven in court then this would save lives and free up the system to assist those that are genuinely in need of protection.

from 5853 citizens (Petition No. EN2749)

COVID-19: International Travel

Please stop all international flights into Australia so we can help eliminate this Covid virus spread, up until now we all know that the methods used in the past have not worked quickly enough to fight off this deadly virus, and we cannot keep having lockdowns as soon as someone enters into our country and spreading this disease, we need total control now rather than losing millions of dollars from each lockdown. Therefore if the virus is not introduced into Australia then we should be a Covid-free country. Government support should be given to our Australian citizens who are currently stuck overseas until the vaccine has been fully rolled out. All international products & supplies to Australia from other countries will continue with strict measures in place to eradicate the spread of the virus.

We therefore ask the House to take into consideration to stop International flights, and the government to give support to those stuck overseas until we are all vaccinated here in Australia.

from 57 citizens (Petition No. EN2751)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Experimental vaccines being tested for the Covid-19 virus Is going against the Nuremberg Code if made mandatory.

We therefore ask the House to

uphold the Nuremburg Code and not make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory .

from 309829 citizens (Petition No. EN2753)

Foreign Investment

To purchase land or property, and have your name on an ownership title in Australia you must be an Australian Citizen.

Some reasons for bringing the above in place are as follows:

We have allowed too much foreign ownership in Australia, if we are not careful, one day we will no longer have full control over our own country.

This will keep money in Australia. Examples: citizens from other countries who currently own property here may be renting their property sending their profits overseas. Australian Farm land that is owned by foreign conglomerates/owners may send their product/produce/profit overseas.

Australian people are being pushed out of the land/property/home ownership market due to wealthy foreign investors pushing up prices. The next generation will not be able to afford to own their own home in Australia. Putting this in place would assure that Australians do not lose the right to own land in their own country.

Keep a secure environment - Foreign ownership may cause conflict against our best interests.

Foreign owners may not care about our land as much as we do.

Foreign ownership tax should be introduced to current foreign owned land and property.

Many other countries do not allow foreign ownership.

This should be added as another right we have as Australian Citizens.

Say No to foreign ownership.

Australia should belong to Australians.

We therefore ask the House to introduce a law that encompasses: To purchase land or property, and have your name on an ownership title in Australia you must be an Australian Citizen.

from 471 citizens (Petition No. EN2757)

Beauty Industry

My petition is to open the struggling beauty industry back up. I am someone who has worked for 14 years to finally open my Laser Clinic up in 2019. Since the pandemic i am now on the verge of potentially losing my livelihood. Something i have worked for all my life. Laser Clinics Australia and a lot of other clinics that operate, operate under extremely strict OHS standards. We have Drs and nurses that work for us and we abide by the strictest of standards. We wear masks, gloves and make sure our clients are protected and do the right thing by scanning the qr codes and wear masks we have hand sanitiser everywhere. We control the amount of people in the clinic by appointment. We need your financial support as Melbourne Metro Clinics are doing it tough. It is not our decision to close , we are constantly forced to shut. With no money coming in and constant money going out we are not surviving. We have no more support form our landlords under The Covid relief support on rent has now ended, allowing landlords to charge full price with penalties. We, I cannot sustain this any longer. Please help us.

We therefore ask the House to provide financial support to the beauty industry and consider beauty business that operate under the clinical environment to keep us open.

from 50 citizens (Petition No. EN2758)

Australian Constitution

It is essential that First Peoples are seen as vital to Australian society and they have the capacity to advise Parliament on matters concerning them.

We therefore ask the House to support the call by the First Nations people for acknowledgement in the Constitution and recommended treaties to bring about socio-economic improvement for their people. We call on the government to reconsider the Uluru Statement from the Heart and to constitutionally guarantee an advisory body to provide advice to Parliament. We are saddened that erroneous statements have been made that this request is for a third chamber. We agree with the point made in this Statement from the Heart that when the First Nations people have power over their destiny, their children will flourish and they will walk in two worlds and that their culture should be considered to be a gift from the First Nations people to us to walk with them "in a movement of the Australian people for a better future".

We note that only First Nations people can truly explain their historical traumas and marginalisation and their consequences. First Nations peoples make up the first sovereign nations of Australia. This sovereignty was never ceded or extinguished and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.

We ask the Australian Parliament to listen to First Nations peoples' recommendations in the Uluru Statement, to back this attempt to improve their circumstances and to participate more fully in Australian society. We call on the Australian Parliament to make this a priority.

from 248 citizens (Petition No. EN2759)

National Disability Insurance Scheme

I was deceived & lied to by the NDIS.

We therefore ask the House to grant backdated finances similar to Centrelink to NDIS recipients when NDIS recipients are stuffed around & lied to.

from 26 citizens (Petition No. EN2760)

Human Rights

A Bill of Rights would protect civil, political and human rights held by individuals in Australia. The parliament cannot be trusted to protect human rights and if a bill of rights were present then the future laws made in the parliament will ensure they conform with human rights principles. The Bill of rights will promote social inclusion and provide rights and support for minorities. It would also improve Australia's international reputation and provide the basis of rights in the modern Australian society.

While in 1215 in the UK a Charter of rights (Magna Carta) were enacted by John, King of England, it is 2021 and Australia does not have a bill of rights for its society. Magna Carta (Citizen's rights) is still discussed as The Great Charter. Is it not high time for Australia to have its own version of Magna Carta in 2021?

We therefore ask the House to discuss and enact an Australian Bill of Rights

from 477 citizens (Petition No. EN2762)

Social Media

Fake google reviews are damaging the business reputation and people are damaging the business reputation online and google does not remove fake reviews .

We need law amended to protect the damage to online reputation of the businesses

We therefore ask the House to amend the law to give the business owners right to get the fake reviews or defamatory reviews removed or the service of all the reviews deactivated and not visible online .

from 48 citizens (Petition No. EN2763)

Afghanistan

On 28 May 2021, the Australian Government closed its Embassy in Kabul ahead of its final troop withdrawal. There was no bipartisan consultation on this important decision that has a direct negative impact on Australia's ability to deliver and monitor our ongoing development partnership with Afghanistan. The Embassy's closure has also diminished our Nation's reputation as a reliable strategic partner.

Throughout two decades of war, Afghan citizens worked as contractors for the Australian Defence Force and other Australian agencies. They provided mission essential services and put their own lives, and that of their families, at extreme risk. They sacrificed their safety to protect Australian troops conducting operations in Afghanistan. They wore the Australian uniform in battle; they protected Australian assets and were directly targeted as a result. They gave their lives for the pursuit of "freedom" and "democracy" - ideals that our Government and its coalition partners promised them.

The impact of abandoning those Afghans who gave their loyalty, trust and friendship to Australia and its people, also has the potential to exacerbate existing traumas among Defence and Veterans. Many who may feel deeply troubled by the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the fate and betrayal of their 'brothers-in-arms'.

We therefore ask the House to act with expediency to uphold that the Australian government has both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative to offer safe haven to those Afghans and their families who face imminent danger of being persecuted because of their direct support to Australia. ACT NOW!

from 1131 citizens (Petition No. EN2764)

Electoral Act

At the age of 16 you have to pay tax. You're also allowed to get married, work full time and learn to drive. At this age you can also give consent to medical procedures, serve in the military, and in some cases, be prosecuted as an adult. So why can't they have their say in democracy? When under 16s pay tax, they give $51 million in tax revenue.

We therefore ask the House to allow voluntary voting for 16 and 17 year olds, and allow registration to vote for 14 and 15 year olds nationally.

from 26 citizens (Petition No. EN2766)

Skilled Migration Program

Employer sponsored visa programs (subclass 482/494) were created to allows Australian employers to sponsor specific skilled labour to serve their business needs, after employers exhausted all options to find suitable workers in Australia.

Due to borders closure, Australian employers are struggling to find specific skilled workforce onshore. Only occupations from priority list are permitted to enter Australia, which does not cover individual needs of the business.

Example1: Marketing Professionals were rejected to come to Australia even though Marketing / Sales generates business revenue and creates more job opportunities for Australians, it is a core occupation for any business that consider expansion.

Example2: Motor Mechanics garage lost local employee (due to resignation) and business cannot bring new mechanic in the nearest future due to occupation not in the critical list, though garage will not be able to conduct and sustain business without key staff member.

Each request for employer sponsored visa is a clear indication of critical business need, depending on specific industry profile.

Australian businesses are struggling to find suitable workers at any cost in Australia. Prepared to invest significant amount to pay Skilling Australian Fund levy and sponsor overseas worker, businesses are left with unpredictable situation with exemption approval. Therefore, it creates significant business disruption and mental stress for business owners.

We therefore ask the House to consider allowing priority processing of subclass 482/494 visa and include 482/494 visa holders into automatic exemption category to enter Australia - to work, pay taxes, recover Australian economy, bring international experience and create more jobs for locals.

from 185 citizens (Petition No. EN2770)

Prospective Marriage Visas

Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) was specifically created when applicant and sponsor cannot physically live together for a long time in any other country. Department of Home Affairs processes subclass 300 visas quickly, leaving applicants and sponsors with great uncertainty fighting to get exemption.

Legislation states that subclass 300 visa holders cannot satisfy the definition of immediate family members to come to Australia, at the same time 300 visa holders must come to Australia to marry sponsor and lodge further partner visa, which contradicts each other. Exemption to travel is nearly impossible to obtain leaving applicants and sponsors in distressed state trapped by legislative inconsistencies.

Proposing to include subclass 300 visa holders into exempt category for the following reasons:

certainties and exemption permission will stimulate economy as more people will be encouraged to apply for subclass 300 visa (more government revenue - the most expensive government fee)

department of home affairs will not be responsible for any inability for applicant to enter Australia if exemption is automatic, applicant and sponsor are responsible for flights and compulsory quarantine

encourage Australian sponsors to stay in the country, paying taxes, keep working and being generally safe from COVID19 (as international travel is not safe), reducing mental health problems and not spending money overseas

reduce amount of quarantine places as only visa holders will be coming to Australia (compared to Australians going overseas and then coming back with visa holders)

We therefore ask the House to consider automatic exemption for Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) holders

from 1013 citizens (Petition No. EN2771)

Russian Crimean Cannons

Declassified diplomatic cables from Sydney to London during WW1 show prove that Australia formally returned the stolen Russian Crimean Cannons on January 14 1917, when the Prime Minister's Department directed a letter to the Official Secretary to the Governor General of Australia.

"Representations have been made that Russia would very highly appreciate return of cannon captured during Crimean War and now held by Commonwealth or State governments throughout Australia. It is thought that this would be regarded as an outward and visible sign of the inward spirit of the entente with Russia which the Australian governments and people value very greatly. Shall be glad to learn if there is any objection to proposed action."

- William Morris Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia

The decision to return the cannons was immediately backed by the Governor-General and His Majesty's government in London.

Unfortunately in 1917 the Russian Empire collapsed and Australia severed diplomatic ties.

In June of 2021 Mr. Simeon Boikov and a team of Australian researchers & historians uncovered the original archival documents which form the basis for the legal return of the cannons. The documents in question have been published for this first time in 104 years.

We therefore ask the House to honour this decision which legally stands to this day and return the stolen Crimean Cannons to the Russian Federation via Vladivostok as per Prime Minster William Hughes decision.

from 47 citizens (Petition No. EN2774)

Renewable Energy

The proposed power plant is bad for the environment and more expensive than clean energy sources.

It is a waste of taxpayer money.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AMEO) states that any electricity shortfall could be met by clean energy sources.

Funding could be spent on storage of renewable energy such as pumped hydro, batteries, compressed air, thermal storage and more. This would create many more construction positions and ongoing employment than the gas solution - leading to higher productivity in the Hunter Valley and within various local populations nationwide.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said the world's development and exploitation of oil and gas must stop this year if we are to stay within safe limits of global heating and meet net zero emissions by 2050. Studies suggest that gas power emissions may have more than half the emissions of coal generation.

Private industry could fund this gas powered venture if it is required and profitable. Public funding is not required.

The government's proposed solution requires an ongoing supply of gas. This supply is dependent upon and controlled by private industry. The Australian taxpayer would be exposed to the volatility of this market.

The gas fired power station is not required and has a foreseeably limited lifespan. Clean energy solutions can be more long term.

We therefore ask the House to stop the public funding of the Hunter Valley gas fired power Station and please consider using the funds for clean energy solutions that are more economical, enduring and better for our nation's future.

from 4363 citizens (Petition No. EN2778)

COVID-19: Quarantine

The problem with hotel quarantine is that it is forced on us. It was not by choice or our request.

We did not ask for it, how is Australia a "free speech" country if we are TRAPPED. Forced to pay for quarantine? Why doesn't the government just say they want the money they spent during COVID-19 back?

Why is it fair that our "amazing" PM can travel at the moment without an exemption, less than 3 months and isn't forced to stay in hotel quarantine and pay $3,000 AUD?

We therefore ask the House to abolish hotel quarantine and the cost of it.

Introduce home quarantine, and especially for those who have taken both doses of the vaccination.

Why must we suffer.

from 1368 citizens (Petition No. EN2782)

India

- The farmers have been protesting in India since 9 August 2020

- The farmers faced police brutality

- Water cannons and tear gas cannons were used on the farmers

- No farmers no food

- We are here because of the farmers

- Please take action against the Indian government

- The Indian government is violating human rights

- Narendra Modi has done nothing to address the issue

- Narendra Modi griefs about other death losses in other countries by tweeting but cannot see the grief when it comes to his country, many farmers lost their lives in this protest due to the brutality of the government

- India is not DEMOCRATIC!

We therefore ask the House to send support to the farmers who left their homes to protest and to request the Indian government to stop ignoring the farmers, to address the issue, and to make sure the farmers are safe.

from 51 citizens (Petition No. EN2784)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Currently Australian citizens over 50 years of age are being forced to have the AstraZeneca vaccine or remain unvaccinated. Australian citizens over 50 should be entitled to a choice and be given access to the Pfizer vaccine. We ask that you do not discrimminate against older Australians.

We therefore ask the House to provide all Australians with a choice of COVID vaccine regardless of age.

from 422 citizens (Petition No. EN2785)

COVID-19: Vaccination

I believe all Australians should have a choice of which COVID vaccine they can have.

I strongly object to the discrimination against the over 50's who are forced to have the Astra Zeneca or nothing.

We therefore ask the House to reconsider the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine and make it available to all Australians.

from 176 citizens (Petition No. EN2787)

Myanmar

For more than half a century the Myanmar military has

oppressed the peoples of Myanmar, stifled their efforts to establish federal democracy, and violated human rights against them with impunity. More than 800 people have been murdered and over 5,500 detained since the coup on 1 Feb 2021.

On 7 March 2021, the Australian government announced that its development program in Myanmar would be re-directed to immediate humanitarian needs, with and through non-government organisations,

rather than the military junta or its related entities. However, on 25 April 2021, the Australian government announced that it would provide A$5 million to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) for the

provision of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar. Australian Aid will flow directly to AHA Centre's counterpart in Myanmar, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, currently under the Junta's control.

This decision is contrary to Australia's initial decision not to provide aid through the military junta, which is responsible for the crisis in Myanmar. There is also significant evidence

indicating that the junta is blocking local humanitarian assistance activities and arresting humanitarian workers. In essence, Australian taxpayers' money will be directly supporting the Junta and its criminal activities.

We therefore ask the House to

1) Urge the Australian government to provide humanitarian assistance via an independent, third party organisation, NOT ASEAN.

2)Please don't waste taxpayers' money with ASEAN.

from 2856 citizens (Petition No. EN2788)

Asylum Seekers

Support for peter dutton's position regarding the exploitation of children by detanees on christmas island in order to gain entry into australia.

Australian citizens against allowing illegal immigrant families attempting to settle in australia e.g. the biloela family, who should not be allowed to settle in austraia.

We therefore ask the House to uphold the current policy against allowing illegal immigrant families entry into australia e.g. the biloela family, who should not be allowed to settle in australia.

from 107 citizens (Petition No. EN2789)

COVID-19: Regional Skilled Worker Program

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional Visa) Holders, including Subclasses 489 and 491, stranded overseas due to travel restrictions. These provisional visa holders are aspiring future permanent resident of Australia. These visas are a pathway to permanent residency, and to become eligible for these visas, we have to follow quite similar criteria as Permanent visa subclasses like subclass 189 and 190. We all are committed to contributing to the Australian economy and regional development.

Most of us have jobs and homes in Australia, and many people sold their homes and quit their jobs to prepare themselves for migration. Regional visa holders lose their time while stranded overseas, which will adversely affect their future permanent residency application because we have only a limited period to satisfy current requirements.

There has been an announcement made that from 19 September 2020, COVID-19 concessions will be available for eligible prospective Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa applicants, who the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may have disadvantaged. This announcement does not include any relaxation for applicants currently on Subclass-491 and covers only a small portion of subclass-489, which are benefited from these benefits.

We therefore ask the House to consider extend the visa validity of visas according to their time lost due to COVID-19 travel restrictions or more concession will be given for permanent residency application, and Skilled regional visas should be exempted from current travel restrictions.

from 2380 citizens (Petition No. EN2791)

Census

"Language spoken at home" census in 2016 ranked Cantonese as the third most populous. Many Cantonese speaking students don't take Chinese courses which are only in Mandarin and Simplified Chinese.

On 13th June ABC reported an article "Fears for the future of Cantonese as China urges Hong Kong to legally recognize Mandarin".

The fears have obvious ground.

Since 2014, everyone in Guangdong, province of Cantonese, have to speak Mandarin. In 2020, teaching of Mongolian language in Inner Mongolia was banned.

Compared to Mandarin, Cantonese (surprisingly Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean also) inherits more mid-ancient Chinese pronunciations. Poems from Tang and Song Dynasties rhyme better recited in Cantonese.

Regarding written scripts, TC deserves to be preserved because:

1) Teaching in TC enables students to read and write ancient scripts (up to around 2000 years ago).

2) Almost all Japanese and to a less extent Korean can read and write TC.

3) The "Simplification" (mandated by PRC in 1956) violated the six traditional philosophies in construction of Chinese characters - to an extent many characters lost their original meanings.

4) In many cases, more than one TC characters get mapped to the same SC character. It is easy for computers to convert TC to SC. However the reverse conversion often creates terms or phrases which don't make sense in TC.

We therefore ask the House to add Cantonese and TC as elective language courses in high schools. It will also enhance cultural diversity when all Australian children have access to a more complete Chinese culture.

from 783 citizens (Petition No. EN2792)

Housing Affordability

Australia is the 4th highest price per square metre to income ratio in the world. Over 3.4 million Australians live on or below the poverty line and the availability of affordable housing is diminishing faster than ever before.

People with housing security are beneficial for the economy all round.

Reclasifying tiny houses as permanent residence will create jobs and inject cash flow in to the national economic purse.

We therefore ask the House to

amend the law to make living in a tiny house on private land legal for owners and renters as a permanent primary residence. Without prosecution or the need to vacate or move at any time.

from 1138 citizens (Petition No. EN2793)

COVID-19: Vaccination

Experimental vaccines being pushed onto the community to enforce Vaccine Passports is unethical.

Vaccine Passports create an unprotected inexcusable situation for all aspects

of personal and medical freedoms in our country.

No member of government that truly cares to deliver in the best interests of their citizens would consider or support Vaccine Passports. Good leaders advocate to protect the rights of their people to be free to make a personal decision about COVID-19 vaccination that will not see them discriminated against or segregated for declining this or any vaccination and making sure they are free from punishment if they choose to say NO. These draconian passports would infringe on peoples' rights and be an invasion in their personal lives opening the door to more tyrannical features being added down the line.

We do not want our country to become a two-tiered society that consists of the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Private companies and health agencies should not be able to gain access to the health records of any citizen that in turn is a violation of their civil and human rights.

While we defend the right of businesses to operate how they choose, this must NEVER extend to infringing on the inherent rights of anyone to make private and personal medical decisions. Through ensured informed consent every person must make their choice without facing any discrimination, coercion or fear of exclusion.

Say NO to medical apartheid in Australia.

We therefore ask the House to say NO to digital passports and ban Vaccine Passports/Certificates.

from 79170 citizens (Petition No. EN2794)

Japan

On July 5th 2018 I came home to discover my 3 children had been abducted.

In Japan 1 parent can abduct the child and be granted Sole parental authority that can never be reversed and completely deny the child of their right to meet their other parent.

Despite decades of asking Japan to stop Child abduction, Japan signed and ratified the CRC in 1994 and the Hague convention however to date no children have been returned by Japan only by the will of the abductor.

The estimated number of children abducted from Australia to Japan is in the hundreds.

Japan has adopted out Australian children without notifying or allowing the Australian parent to contest erasing their identity.

Deny the child the right to meet their Australian parent.

Deny their Australian culture and the English language.

Japan does not consider parental abduction a crime in the first case and if you can get a court order for access the order can be ignored with impunity.

The CRC clearly states

That children must have access to both parents.

Child abduction and trafficking of children in any form and denying their identity is a violation of the rights of the children and their parents and is child abuse.

We therefore ask the House to Suspend all defense agreements with Japan until Joint custody has been adopted and implemented.

Australia should denounce Japan and not align with a country that is actively denying the rights of Australian children and supporting child abuse.

from 151 citizens (Petition No. EN2796)

Member for Mitchell

Alex Hawke is in parliament illegally. Mr Hawke's mother was Greek and through Greek citizenship laws passes that citizenship to Mr Hawke automatically.

Greek government online pages relating to citizenship state " A person acquires Greek nationality at the time of birth, if he/she is born to a parent of Greek nationality."

Mr Hawke has never renounced his Greek citizenship.

In Mr Hawkes parliament house citizenship register he states he is not a Greek citizen but does not provide any proof. His statement to parliament is in contradiction to the actual Greek laws, it seems he has not told the truth in his declaration, in it he says " I have advice stating I am not nor ever have been a Greek citizen" The actual law says otherwise.

We therefore ask the House to refer Mr Hawke to the High Court using S47 of the constitution to ascertain his eligibility to be in parliament. The High Court has in the past directed parliament to use S47 to refer MPs for S44 eligibility checks.

from 47 citizens (Petition No. EN2797)

Cashless Debit Card Program

In Dec 2020 a vote took place in the Senate to expand and extend Cashless Debit Card (CDC) trials, despite the fact no member of the Senate or House of Representatives was given access to the information contained within the Adelaide University Evaluation Consolidated Report.

We alert the House to the fact that data contained within the Consolidated Report has shown significant negative and debilitating impacts are being experienced by compulsory CDC trial participants and their children, including increased domestic violence, financial stress and child vulnerability in all roll out locations evaluated. Data contained within the report also demonstrated that 85.4% of people have had no positive impact from the 'trial', an increase of 8.4% since the 2017 Orima report.

This, along with data demonstrating no substantive improvement in any targeted behaviors and a significant decline in participant well being (71% worse off) unequivocally demonstrates that the Cashless Debit Card policy trial had failed to meet its legislated 'trial objectives' as set down by the Australian government.

The CDC trial has failed to meet objectives and is now causing harm to people on it.

We therefore ask the House to 1) immediately seek to end the cashless debit card "trial", ending all current sanctions and quarantining of income and to return full entitlement payments to their intended owners under Social Security Law 8.4.3 - the recipients. 2) to publicly acknowledge all current evaluation studies indicate the cashless debit card has failed to meet its objectives and to reduce "social harms".

from 17613 citizens (Petition No. EN2799)

COVID-19: Vaccination

It is the basic right of every citizen to choose the methods of attaining good health and therefore avoid illness including Covid 19. Some may not choose the vaccination method and those people would be adversely affected if a "Vaccination Passport" were to be introduced in Australia. To describe vaccination and by extension, the passport as non-compulsory is a misnomer because it would be necessary for access to most services and facilities in society. Included in the list could be banking, travel, supermarkets, sport, medical and social events etc. It would become a License to Live and has no place in a free society.

We therefore ask the House to absolutely reject any legislation; regulation or rule which may lead to the introduction of a 'vaccination passport'.

from 500 citizens (Petition No. PN0511)

Australian Constitution

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House: At the National Constitutional Convention in May 2017, 250 representatives of First Nations People from across Australia, who were selected after an extensive nationwide series of consultative meetings, gathered at Uluru. Following a process whereby they reached consensus, on May 261h2017 they issued the Statement from the Heart. • They called for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution • They sought a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations • They called for a process of truth-telling about their history to begin to right the wrongs visited upon them for over two centuries

We therefore ask the House to: • Accept the Statement from the Heart in its entirety • Move immediately to enshrine the First Nations Voice within the Australian Constitution • Begin the process to establish the Makarrata Commission • Engage in the necessary truth-telling to redress over two centuries of injustice done to First Nations People

from 21 citizens (Petition No. PN0512)

Asylum Seekers

We deplore· the continuing distress being inflicted on more than 500 asylum seekers who remain in Australia's offshore detention system, or have come to Australia under Medevac and been subjected to indefinite detention. To our shame the Government continues to pay Papua New Guinea and Nauru - at the extraordinary annual cost of $4mil. per person - to keep asylum seekers in conditions that have been plagued for over seven years by physical violence (including murder), sexual abuse of women and children, allegations of torture by guards, medical neglect leading to death, and high rates of mental health decline, self harm and suicide attempts. As stop must now be brought to this extremely expensive, inhumane treatment of innocent people seeking safety in our country. We must do better than this.

We therefore ask the House to: , finally bring an end to offshore detention; • release those medically transferred to Australia, and now in indefinite detention; • promptly resettle the asylum seekers in safe countries, including Australia; and ensure asylum seekers are given adequate social support

from 213 citizens (Petition No. PN0513)

Great Palm Island

We the Bwgcolman Palm Island people declare that Great Palm Island and the surrounding islands and waters is our cultural sovereign country. We have a continued family and cultural connection for over 100 years and are the jewel in the crown of the Great Green Way of the Great Barrier Reef. As Bwgcolman Traditional Owners, and under the United Nations Rights of Indigenous people we maintain our sovereign autonomy to protest any peoples, organisation or process that we believe is detrimental to Bwgcolman people's cultural, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing and self-determination. We therefore protest the current and proposed Museum of Underwater Arts Stage (MOUA) 2 Underwater Installations (funded by the Commonwealth 'Building Better Regions Fund') of which the MOUA have submitted application for approval to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Despite our calls for meaningful consultation since 2019, the MOUA Board have not engaged with, informed, or consulted the Bwgcolman people in any acceptable manner. We do not agree with MOUA art installations in any capacity within the waters of Great Palm Island and surrounding island groups. We strongly maintain that the economic development enterprises of our Great Palm Island group should be developed by the Bwgcolman people for the Bwgcolman People.

We therefore ask the House to stop the MOUA Ltd current Stage 2 plans, and any future plans of the Museum of Underwater Arts to install art installations or conduct any economic enterprise development within the Great Palm Island group and waters.

from 713 citizens (Petition No. PN0515)

School Nutrition Program

The current "one size fits all" model of service provision for the School Nutrition Program (SNP) does not take into account the disadvantage and inherent issues in very remote Australia. Smaller service providers are expected to manage Federal costs through collection of revenue on the Commonwealth's behalf. Where communities suffer disadvantage moving costs of service provision (e.g. food in the case of the SNP) to parents or carers means that services are lost as is the current case in Laramba.

The community and children in Laramba therefore strongly ask the House to reinstate the School Nutrition Program with full cost coverage by the Commonwealth.

from 49 citizens (Petition No. PN0516)

Donations to Political Parties

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter to the former Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters, Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, dated 19 October 2020, referring to petition number EN1719. As Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, I am responding to the Committee's request.

I note the petition, which requests a Royal Commission into political donations, with particular regard to what the petitioners describe as 'harmful industries'.

Australians enjoy the freedom to engage in democratic discourse that is consistent with the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian Constitution. Participation in a free democracy includes the right for Australians financially support candidates and parties of their choice through donations.

The Government is committed to ensuring transparency and integrity within the electoral system. In 2018, changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) banned foreign donations and extended financial disclosure obligations beyond political parties and candidates, to also capture other political actors that incur significant political expenditure. We have also invested in enhancements to the Transparency Register run by the Australian Electoral Commission.

In recent years, successful reforms to Australia's electoral system have followed work conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM). The Committee is currently reviewing the 2018 changes to the Act and will consider any recommendations from that review after the JSCEM reports on 31 May 2021.

For these reasons, the Government does not support the petition's request. 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

Child Support Agency

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 15 February 2021, concerning petition number EN2138 to the House of Representatives, relating to the child support scheme.

Family breakdowns are incredibly difficult. Child support is in place to ensure that as far as possible, children affected by a family breakdown remain financially secure no matter the custody arrangements. The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the assessment and collection of child support between separated parents, to assist them in meeting their legal obligation to financially support their children until they reach 18 years of age.

The scheme and the legislation do not make any distinction based on the gender or background of either a paying parent or a receiving parent. The child support scheme is intended to be fair for both parents, so they can manage their financial responsibilities towards their children.

The petitioners may be interested in the following information.

Child support formula

The current child support formula was introduced in 2008 using extensive research undertaken by the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support on the costs of caring for children in Australia.

Various figures and thresholds in the child support formula, including the Costs of the Children Table and the self-support amount, are benchmarked or indexed using Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE), as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These figures and thresholds are adjusted each year in line with MTAWE, which helps to ensure the formula keeps pace with changes in earnings and the cost of living.

Use of gross income

Adjusted taxable income, rather than net or gross income, is used in the child support formula to calculate both parents' incomes. The effect of taxation is taken into account under the child support formula as the same approach is used for both income and expenditure.

Child support assessments are generally based on parents' adjusted taxable income for the last relevant financial year. This is generally the most up-to-date and accurate income information available to Services Australia, and best reflects the parents' true capacity to support their children. This income comprises taxable income (that is, income before tax but after any allowable deductions) and certain supplementary amounts such as foreign income, reportable fringe benefits, tax-free pensions and benefits, total net investment losses and reportable superannuation contributions. 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.

Superannuation contributions

As explained above, adjusted taxable income includes supplementary amounts such as reportable superannuation contributions. Reportable superannuation contributions include discretionary salary-sacrificed superannuation contributions an employee has made in addition to their compulsory superannuation payments.

Reportable superannuation contributions are treated in the same way as wage and salary income because those contributions could have been received as cash. In most circumstances, choosing to invest additional amounts into superannuation is a way of legitimately reducing a person's taxable 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.

Compulsory superannuation payments, such as amounts made under superannuation guarantee law or according to an industrial award or agreement, are generally not considered reportable superannuation contributions and are therefore not part of a parent's child support income.

Enforcement of child support debt

The effective enforcement of child support obligations is central to the integrity of the child support scheme. Some parents will choose not to make voluntary child support payments, and may be subject to enforcement measures to ensure child support is still collected.

In the first instance, Services Australia encourages parents who are behind in their child support payments to enter into a voluntary payment arrangement, to address their debt in the shortest possible time. A payment arrangement will take into account the parent's individual financial circumstances, and Services Australia can periodically review the arrangement to ensure it still reflects the parent's current financial circumstances. Services Australia has extensive enforcement powers, including the ability to directly garnishee wages, recover funds from bank accounts, tax returns or certain income support payments, and the power to prevent child support defaulters from travelling overseas.

Ultimately, Services Australia also has the ability to take litigation action through a court. This option is always given careful consideration prior to action being undertaken.

Services Australia's compliance approach balances education, support, advice and enforcement activities. Enforcement powers also apply equally to both paying and receiving parents, and can be used to collect carer debts as well as child support debts.

Review of the child support scheme

The Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System is conducting a wide-ranging Inquiry to ensure that the system operates as fairly and efficiently as possible. It is also looking at how the family law system interacts with child support.

Announced by the Government in September 2019, this Inquiry has provided an important opportunity for parliamentarians to hear from people who have interacted with the system. The Joint Select Committee will report by November 2021. More information is available at

www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Family_Law_System.

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. I trust the information provided will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Australia Day

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 16 March 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, providing petition EN2336 regarding changing the date of Australia Day. As the Minister responsible for the National Australia Day Council, the Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf and I apologise for the delay in responding.

I respectfully disagree with the sentiment of the petition that we need to change the date of Australia Day.

Australia Day is a day to reflect on our shared history, its highs and its lows, to respect the stories of others and celebrate our nation, its achievements, but most of all its people.

It's a time to reflect on the past 60,000 years of Australian history, our many successes, and our failures, and to be grateful for the free and fair democracy we have created for ourselves today.

On Australia Day we welcome our newest Australians alongside the world's oldest living culture and celebrate our diverse background, and the extraordinary achievements that have made Australia a successful multicultural society.

Of course, 26 January means different things to different people, particularly Indigenous Australians. The fact there is discussion around the date means it is an important date. The reason that 26 January means so much in different ways to different people needs to be harnessed.

We can improve the way we celebrate Australia Day by being more respectful and inclusive.

It's important that we reflect on Australia Day on the impact European settlement had on Indigenous Australians and their way of life.

We must and we should include greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's history, traditions and culture. There are important opportunities to tell truth and learn from it.

For example, in Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, Yolngu and Balanda, Aboriginal and non­Aboriginal came together to celebrate Australia Day 2021 as one community. Over 500 people, coming together to the Buku Larrnggay Mulka centre in a COVID-safe way, for a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and Bungul.

In Sydney, Australia Day 2021 started with the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo - WugulOra means 'One Mob' and has been a part of Sydney's Australia Day activities for years.

In Perth, the afternoon of Australia Day 2021 featured the Birak Festival, followed by a light show telling the story of Noongar and Whadjuk people.

We can and we are doing Australia Day better. But there's always more that we can do. As Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, put it: "It is also a journey that for some is difficult, it is raw, and it does hurt in parts - but rather than shy away from this, or dismiss our success, we should come together as one this Australia Day and reach out to better understand the Australian story of others."

And Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, agrees: "What I'm saying to Australians this Australia Day is, we don't need to change the date, we just need to change the way we observe the day. Take just a moment to learn about our past. Australia is home to the oldest surviving civilisation - more than 60,000 years - on Earth. This is and ought to be a source of pride for all Australians."

It is why we need to focus on honouring our national day more respectfully, more inclusively, so Australia Day can be a day about bringing Australians together as one, not dividing us - because we are all part of the Australian story.

The National Australia Day Council has been asking Australians to do just that — to reflect, respect and celebrate and recognise that we are all part of the Story of Australia. This message was borne out of a desire to make Australia Day more inclusive of the histories, stories and contributions of all Australians, but especially First Nations people.

National Australia Day Council Director and Walbanga and Wadi Wadi woman, Mrs Alison Page, encouraged all Australians to explore their history together on Australia Day in her opinion piece published in the West Australian on 26 January 2021.

Thank you again for providing this petition to the Prime Minister.

Yours sincerely

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

Australia Day

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 16 March 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, providing petition EN2342 regarding changing the date of Australia Day. As the Minister responsible for the National Australia Day Council, the Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf. I apologise for the delay in responding to your letter.

I respectfully disagree with the sentiment of the petition that we need to change the date of Australia Day.

Australia Day is a day to reflect on our shared history, its highs and its lows, to respect the stories of others and celebrate our nation, its achievements, but most of all its people.

It's a time to reflect on the past 60,000 years of Australian history, our many successes, and our failures, and to be grateful for the free and fair democracy we have created for ourselves today.

On Australia Day we welcome our newest Australians alongside the world's oldest living culture and celebrate our diverse background, and the extraordinary achievements that have made Australia a successful multicultural society.

Of course, 26 January means different things to different people, particularly Indigenous Australians. The fact there is discussion around the date means it is an important date. The reason that 26 January means so much in different ways to different people needs to be harnessed.

We can improve the way we celebrate Australia Day by being more respectful and inclusive.

It's important that we reflect on Australia Day on the impact European settlement had on Indigenous Australians and their way of life.

We must and we should include greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's history, traditions and culture. There are important opportunities to tell truth and learn from it.

For example, in Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, Yolngu and Balanda, Aboriginal and non­Aboriginal came together to celebrate Australia Day 2021 as one community. Over 500 people, coming together to the Buku Larrnggay Mulka centre in a COVID-safe way, for a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and Bungul.

In Sydney, Australia Day 2021 started with the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo - WugulOra means 'One Mob' and has been a part of Sydney's Australia Day activities for years.

In Perth, the afternoon of Australia Day 2021 featured the Birak Festival, followed by a light show telling the story of Noongar and Whadjuk people.

We can and we are doing Australia Day better. But there's always more that we can do. As Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, put it: "It is also a journey that for some is difficult, it is raw, and it does hurt in parts - but rather than shy away from this, or dismiss our success, we should come together as one this Australia Day and reach out to better understand the Australian story of others."

And Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, agrees: "What I'm saying to Australians this Australia Day is, we don't need to change the date, we just need to change the way we observe the day. Take just a moment to learn about our past. Australia is home to the oldest surviving civilisation - more than 60,000 years - on Earth. This is and ought to be a source of pride for all Australians."

It is why we need to focus on honouring our national day more respectfully, more inclusively, so Australia Day can be a day about bringing Australians together as one, not dividing us - because we are all part of the Australian story.

The National Australia Day Council has been asking Australians to do just that — to reflect, respect and celebrate and recognise that we are all part of the Story of Australia. This message was borne out of a desire to make Australia Day more inclusive of the histories, stories and contributions of all Australians, but especially First Nations people.

National Australia Day Council Director and Walbanga and Wadi Wadi woman, Mrs Alison Page, encouraged all Australians to explore their history together on Australia Day in her opinion piece published in the West Australian on 26 January 2021.

Thank you again for providing this petition to the Prime Minister.

Yours sincerely

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

Human Rights

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 22 March 2021 to the former Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Christian Porter MP, concerning the House of Representatives Petition EN2367 calling for the Australian Government to immediately cease breaching international human rights law and local Australian law.

Australia is a party to a number of United Nations treaties that protect human rights which are implemented through a range of laws, policies and programs at the federal and state and territory levels. The Government considers that Australia's laws and policies are consistent with the obligations in these instruments. The 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.

The Government believes that the family law system plays an important role in helping to identify families at risk and protect them from harm. The Family Law Act 1975 does not contain any presumptions in relation to gender.

The Australian system of government is based on a separation of powers between the Legislature (the Parliament), the Executive (the Government), and the Judiciary (the Courts). It is an essential feature of the Australian system of government that our courts are independent and free of interference from the executive arm of government.

Australia is well served by its judiciary, and allegations about judicial conduct that warrant consideration of removal of a judge from office are extremely rare. However, where required, complaints about the conduct of a judicial officer that may warrant their removal from office are considered by the Parliament under section 72(ii) of the Constitution. Proved misbehaviour or incapacity is required in order for this to occur. Ordinarily it is the federal courts who are responsible for the handling of complaints, consistent with their independence. The complaints and feedback processes for the Federal Court, the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court are published on the Court's own website.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely,

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 22 March 2021 requesting consideration of a petition before the Standing Committee on Petitions for 15 October to be recognised as the annual International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Australia.

The Australian Government recognises that the loss of a child is a traumatic event that can have long lasting consequences for women and their families. We are committed to reducing stillbirth rates and are investing in a range of measures to achieve this. Our investment in perinatal services and support to date totals $162.3 million. This includes $21.3 million for stillbirth specific measures, such as funding to support stillbirth education and awareness initiatives particularly for groups at higher risk of stillbirth.

In the 2021-22 Budget, we announced a new investment of $1.8 million over four years to help increase the number of stillbirth autopsies to better understand the reasons underlying these tragic deaths. This investment will support our goal to reduce stillbirths by 20 per cent or more by December 2025 and will implement actions in the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan.

We also announced $13.7 million to prevent preterm birth and $47.4 million for universal perinatal mental health screening to build on the National Perinatal Mental Health Check. This will help all expectant parents to access screening services that support improved mental health outcomes.

Further, we provide funding to Red Nose to deliver online and telephone-based bereavement support for miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death as part of our $43.9 million investment under the Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.

Proclamation of 'days of national observance' by the Governor-General is just one of a number of ways to promote the observation of days of celebration or commemoration. National days of commemoration may be observed without a proclamation or intervention by the Australian Government. Mothers' Day and Red Nose Day are among the many examples of days throughout the year that have gained community acceptance as the dates on which particular events are celebrated or commemorated, without government involvement.

Thank you again for writing to me on this important matter.

from the Prime Minister, Mr Morrison

(Petition No. EN2389)

Charitable Organisations

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning petition number EN2415, which requests that the advancement of religion be removed as a recognised charitable purpose, as it applies to registration by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), with the effect of removing all charitable tax concessions from religious organisations. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

As noted in the petition, eligibility for registration with the ACNC and eligibility for charitable tax concessions are interlinked. Charities must be registered with the ACNC to apply for charitable tax concessions from the Australian Taxation Office.

To become registered with the ACNC, amongst other criteria, an organisation must be a charity which includes having only charitable purposes. Charitable purpose has a special legal meaning, developed over 400 years by firstly, the United Kingdom, and later Australian, courts and Parliament. The courts have recognised many different charitable purposes, and as society changes new charitable purposes have been recognised. The Charities Act 2013, which defines what is a charity, recognises twelve such purposes.

One of the charitable purposes listed under the Charities Act is the purpose of advancing religion. Religion has been accepted as a charitable purpose since the 1600s and the current Charities Act is based on this substantial body of case law. Comparable international jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand also consider religion a charitable purpose that benefits the community, and provide tax concessions to religious bodies.

This means that organisations with the purpose of advancing religion are eligible for registration with the ACNC provided they meet all the eligibility criteria. Likewise, registered religious charities, in the same way as all other charities, may apply to access charitable tax concessions provided they meet all the eligibility criteria. Organisations with the purpose of advancing religion have the same registration requirements as organisations that have one of many other charitable purposes. The test for charitable purpose is not specifically a religious one.

Neither the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, nor the Charities Act 2013, infringe section 116 of the Constitution, as neither Act establishes any religion, imposes any religious observance, prohibits the free exercise of any religion, or introduces a religious test for qualification to any Commonwealth office.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

JobKeeper Payment: Tourism Industry

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 25 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2527 - a request for a further extension to the JobKeeper Payment for travel agents and tour operators. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The JobKeeper Payment was designed as a national scheme, to apply consistently across a broad range of Australian businesses and industry sectors. As such, the scheme was not intended to apply individual criteria for the Payment to any specific sector or group of businesses.

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 achieved its objective of keeping business in business and Australians in jobs. JobKeeper supported nearly half of Australian businesses and one-third of all workers.

On 11 March 2021, in recognition that certain sectors would need additional assistance, the Australian Government announced a further $1.2 billion in targeted support for the tourism and aviation sectors. The package included a mix of half-price airline tickets and direct support to keep planes in the air and aviation workers in jobs. Increasing domestic tourism helps businesses along the supply chain including hotels, cafes and restaurants and tour operators get back to normal trading. Through the Tourism Aviation Network Support (TANS) Program, discount ticket prices are available on more than 45,000 fares per week. Australians are able to access these discount fares to 14 tourism regions particularly hurt by COVID-19 for travel through to the end of September 2021.

The Government also provided an additional $130 million to extend the Consumer Travel Support Program for three months to support travel agents. This brought the total level of targeted assistance to $258 million, to help sustain the travel sector as it supports Australian travellers adjust to COVID-safe travel.

The Government appreciates international travel restrictions, passenger caps and quarantine arrangements continue to impact Australia's aviation and tourism sectors. For this reason, we have been working with the New Zealand Government to facilitate quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand to provide a much needed boost to international airline, airport and tourism operators in Australia. From 19 April 2021 visitors between Australia and New Zealand have been able to travel without having to quarantine at either end of their journey. The Government is optimistic that airlines will commence additional services to meet demand generated by the two-way safe travel zone, with benefits anticipated to flow to travel agents as international travel demand increases.

The importance of this announcement is demonstrated by the fact that 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 effects of COVID-19 hit international aviation.

The Government also announced an expansion and extension to its existing SME Guarantee Scheme as part of its commitment to support up to $40 billion in lending to small and medium enterprises. The SME Recovery Loan Scheme has benefitted from an increased government guarantee, allowing lenders to offer a repayment holiday of up to 24 months, longer loan terms, larger loan sizes and the ability for borrowers to refinance existing debt.

The vaccine roll-out is also underway, supporting domestic borders to remain open and providing greater certainty for people to travel for both business and leisure purposes.

For further information on the COVID-19 tourism support plan visit:

www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Tourism/Tourism-and-business.

For more information on the Government's COVID-19 support for aviation visit:

www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/index.aspx#aviation.

For further information on the Small and Medium Enterprise Recovery Loan Scheme visit:

treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/sme-guarantee-scheme.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Intellectual Property

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 24 May 2021 regarding petition EN2561, which requests changes to copyright law to introduce a 'use/sell it or lose it' clause.

I note the petitioners' concern that lack of legal access to copyrighted works, particularly older works, harms the preservation of art and culture. The petitioners propose that a published work becomes part of the public domain if it ceases to be reasonably accessible to purchase, use and/or stream digitally for a certain amount of time without reasonable justification. The petitioners consider that, in these circumstances, the public should not have to wait 70 or more years for a work to enter the public domain to legally access the work.

Copyright law is essential to incentivising creators, and their industries, to create new and culturally relevant content. At the same time, allowing reasonable access to creative content is critical to enhance culture and learning, and drive new creativity and innovation. In particular, where the copyright owner cannot be identified or contacted (as is often the case with older works), copyright owners, users and society as a whole lose out on the potential benefits that could be gained from using such 'orphaned' material.

The Copyright Act 1968 (Copyright Act) seeks to balance the rights of copyright owners to manage and protect their works with the larger public interest to access these works. It does this by giving creators the exclusive right to exploit their works for monetary gain for a certain period. For works such as literary and artistic works, this is usually for the life of the author plus 70 years. During this period, copyright owners generally have the right to control how and when their content is accessed. However, the Copyright Act also provides for exceptions that permit access to works for certain socially useful purposes, in particular to support the education, disability and cultural (libraries, archives, museums and galleries) sectors.

On 13 August 2020, the Morrison Government announced a package of copyright access reforms, principally to clarify and update the current exceptions. The reforms also propose a new scheme that allows for the use of 'orphan works' (where the copyright owner cannot be identified or contacted) if a reasonably diligent search for the copyright owner has been undertaken, while also providing for reasonable payment to the copyright owner for any ongoing use of the orphan work if the owner later comes forward. The proposed orphan works scheme will open access to a larger collection of cultural, historical and educational works held in Australia's cultural and educational institutions, as well as enabling orphaned copyright material to be used in modem creative endeavours.

Thank you for bringing the petitioners' 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

Aged Care

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 14 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2564 on financing of aged care in Australia.

The Australian Government is committed to transforming aged care so that it meets the needs of senior Australians and their families, now and in the future. We all need to do more to ensure senior Australians are treated with care, dignity and respect and have access to quality care as they age. The Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), released on 1 March 2021, is an important step in what will be a significant transformation in aged care.

The Government has now responded to the Final Report, with a comprehensive aged care reform package announced in the 2021-22 Budget. The Government will deliver a $17.7 billion package for a once in a generation reform of aged care to deliver respect, care and dignity to our senior Australians. The response includes a five-year implementation plan, underpinned by five pillars:

•   home care - supporting senior Australians who choose to remain in their home

•   residential aged care services and sustainability - improving and simplifying residential aged care services and access

•   residential aged care quality and safety - improving residential aged care quality and safety

•   workforce - supporting a growing and better-skilled care workforce

•   governance - new legislation and stronger governance.

In responding to the 148 recommendations made by the Royal Commission, the Government accepts or accepts in principle 126 recommendations. In addition, the Government supports an alternative approach to another four recommendations, for example where the Commissioners had different views and models on governance and implementation. Twelve recommendations are subject to further consideration or noted in the Government's response.

The Government did not accept six recommendations relating to consumer contributions and fees, including the introduction of a new aged care levy or higher personal income taxation to pay for aged care services.

For further information about the aged care reforms, and the Government's response to the Royal Commission's Final Report, please visit: www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/aged-care-reforms.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Hong Kong

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to correspondence from the former Chair of Standing Committee on Petitions, Mr Llew O'Brien MP, of 14 October 2019 enclosing Petition EN1022 concerning the grant of asylum to Hong Kong nationals. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities. I apologise for the delay in responding.

The Australian Government, together with other governments around the world, has been very consistent in expressing concerns about the imposition of the National Security Law and is troubled by the law's implications for Hong Kong's judicial independence, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.

For this reason, on 9 July 2020, the Government announced new extended visa options for students, temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong. The Migration Amendment (Hong Kong Passport Holders) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 21 August 2020. The amendments support skilled workers and recent graduates from Hong Kong to remain in Australia or relocate to Australia, subject to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions. These measures, which apply to those who hold an eligible Hong Kong passport, are:

an extension of five years for any temporary skilled or temporary graduate visa that was held on 9 July 2020, these visas will now cease on 8 July 2025; and

current and future applicants for temporary graduate or temporary skilled visas will be granted a visa with a five year visa validity where they meet the requirements for those visas.

Australia is committed to its international obligations set out in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and other international human rights conventions to which it is a party. Australia does not return individual's to situations where they face persecution or a real, risk of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary deprivation of life or the application of the death penalty.

Australia's Humanitarian Program is designed primarily to assist people who have left their home country because of persecution or severe human rights abuses, and who have no options for return or for resettlement in another country. The Humanitarian Program operates flexibly to respond to evolving humanitarian situations and global resettlement needs. Hong Kong passport holders who believe they are at risk of persecution can apply for a humanitarian visa through our Refugee and Humanitarian program, which is one of the most generous humanitarian programs in the world.

Individuals who arrive lawfully in Australia seeking asylum, and who are found to engage Australia's non-refoulement (non-return) obligations, may be granted permanent protection, subject to fulfilling relevant visa criteria and the health, character and security requirements that apply to all Australian visas. Further information about Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program and relevant statistics are available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we­do/refugee-and-humanitarian-rpogram, and

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research­and-statistics/statistics/visa-statistics/live/humanitarian-program.

There are a range of other visas which Hong Kong nationals may apply to visit or migrate to Australia. Information on Australian visas is available on the Department's website at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN1022 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

Temporary Protection Visas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to correspondence of 20 October 2019 from the former Chair of Standing Committee on Petitions, Mr Llew O'Brien MP, enclosing Petition EN1048 concerning granting permanent residency to Hong Kong expats currently residing in Australia. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities. I apologise for the delay in responding.

The Australian Government, together with other governments around the world, has been very consistent in expressing concerns about the imposition of the National Security Law, and is troubled by the law's implications for Hong Kong's judicial independence, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.

For this reason, on 9 July 2020, the Government announced new extended visa options for students, temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong. The Migration Amendment (Hong Kong Passport Holders) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 21 August 2020. The amendments support skilled workers and recent graduates from Hong Kong to remain in Australia or relocate to Australia, subject to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions. These measures, which apply to those who hold an eligible Hong Kong passport, are:

an extension of five years for any temporary skilled or temporary graduate visa that was held on 9 July 2020, these visas will now cease on 8 July 2025; and

current and future applicants for temporary graduate or temporary skilled visas will be granted a visa with a five year visa validity where they meet the requirements for those visas.

Australia is committed to its international obligations set out in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and other international human rights conventions to which it is a party. Australia does not return individuals to situations where they face persecution or a real risk of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary deprivation of life or the application of the death penalty.

Individuals who arrive lawfully in Australia seeking asylum, and who are found to engage Australia's non-refoulement (non-return) obligations, may be granted permanent protection, subject to fulfilling relevant visa criteria and the health, character and security requirements that apply to all Australian visas.

Hong Kong passport holders who believe they are at risk of persecution can apply for a humanitarian visa through our Refugee and Humanitarian program , which is one of the most generous humanitarian programs in the world. Further information about the program is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/refugee-and-humanitarian-program.

There are a range of other visas which Hong Kong nationals may apply for to visit or migrate to Australia . Information on Australian visas is available on the Department's website at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN1048 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

Transport Industry

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your email of 24 December 2020 regarding petition EN1311, requesting the Australian Government allow the sale of cheap electric vehicles and ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2025.

The Liberal National Government is committed to enabling consumer choice for new vehicle and fuel technologies.

The development of electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles is being driven by the world's largest car manufacturers. The number of consumers who choose to buy these vehicles will rapidly increase as these new technologies reach parity with mature alternatives. Australians currently have access to around 50 electric vehicle models, including hybrids, and this is likely to increase as the technology continues to develop.

In September 2020, the Government announced a $1.9 billion package to invest in new energy technologies that will support jobs, strengthen our economy and reduce emissions. This included a Future Fuels Fund that will enable businesses to start integrating new vehicle technologies into their fleets, and address regional blackspots in public charging and refuelling infrastructure.

It will also provide improved information on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to better inform Australian consumers.

The Future Fuels Package builds on existing Government support including:

$21 million to roll out ultra-fast charging sites through two networks along Australia's national highways;

Up to $1.1 billion in finance available through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to assist uptake of low and zero emissions vehicles;

$25 million for the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre; and

$4 million for hydrogen transport-related demonstration projects.

The Government is developing a Future Fuels Strategy that will support people to adopt new technologies where it makes sense for them to do so, including hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles.

We will work together with industry and research institutions to deploy the right technology when and where it is needed to improve consumer choice, reduce bills and lower emissions.

Technology, not taxes, will be the way we deliver practical action on emissions reduction.

Thank you again for your letter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

COVID-19: Small Business

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 August 2020, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN1606 which seeks more support for small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak and a review of Australian competition law. Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in response. I have received a large number of emails and requests for information and have not been able to respond as quickly as I would like.

The Australian Government recognises that the once-in-a-century shock imposed by COVID-19 warrants an extraordinary level of support across the economy. The Government's Economic Recovery Plan has been designed to support Australian households and businesses through this exceptionally difficult period. It has helped keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs through the JobKeeper Payment and Boosting Cash Flow for Employers, and supported Australians in need with the Coronavirus Supplement and Early Release of Superannuation.

The Government's response is now transitioning to ensure the Australian economy recovers strongly by targeting additional temporary support measures to boost household incomes, bring forward business and infrastructure investment activity, and drive the unemployment rate back down. More information is available at: www.budget.gov.au/2020-21/content/covid-19.htm.

The Government believes effective competition is essential for a strong small business sector, better consumer-outcomes and a strong economy, and it has therefore taken steps to strengthen Australia's competition laws. The first major review of Australia's competition laws and policy in more than 20 years was completed in 2015. This review's finding resulted in major legislative reforms which took effect in November 2017. These reforms strengthened the prohibition on the misuse of market power, prohibited anti-competitive concerted practices, reformed merger approval processes and made a wide range of other improvements to competition law.

I trust this information is of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Environment

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 19 October 2020 to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, concerning the petition EN1644. Your letter has been referred to me as the Minister for the Environment, as the matters raised fall within my portfolio responsibilities. I am advised there was a delay in your correspondence being received by my department.

The Australian Government is committed to high environmental standards. Our central environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), establishes a rigorous and transparent regulatory framework for protecting nationally important environmental matters, such as threatened species and World Heritage properties, while supporting economic and social outcomes.

An independent review of the EPBC was recently conducted by Professor Graeme Samuel AC, and completed in October 2020. I released the Final Report on 28 January 2021, it is available at epbcactreview.environment.gov.au.

The Government is committed to a staged program of reforms informed by the EPBC Act Review. This includes the delivery of new national environmental standards, which will add clarity about the environmental outcomes that these processes need to deliver.

On 16 June 2021, I released 'A pathway for reforming national environmental law' and an accompanying timeline, that together, outline the Australian Government's staged approach to consider the recommendations of the EPBC Act Review and reform of Australia's national environmental law. These documents will guide the Government as it engages with stakeholders to deliver meaningful and enduring reform in response to the EPBC Act Review. These are available at environment.gov.au/epbc/about/environmental-law-reform.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Australian Republic

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 19 October 2020 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, regarding a petition with a reference number EN1729, to make Australia a republic. The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf and I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding.

The Prime Minister has expressed his support for current constitutional arrangements. As you may be aware, any proposal to amend the Australian Constitution needs widespread community support to succeed. I add that under the current constitutional arrangements, Australia is a sovereign, independent and federal nation.

The Australian Government respects the right of all Australians to continue to express their views on this matter. The views of the petition have been noted.

Yours sincerely

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

JobSeeker Payment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email dated 19 October 2020 to the Minister for Government Services, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, concerning petition number EN1766. As the matters raised fall within my portfolio responsibilities, your email has been forwarded to me for reply.

As you are aware, the Australian social security system is a taxpayer-funded, non-contributory system based on the concepts of residence and need. The system targets payments to those most in need through the income and assets tests. In this way, successive governments have ensured there are sufficient resources for those with the greatest need. In making spending decisions, the Government has to balance the need to support Australians with the need to maintain the sustainability of the social security system over the long term.

Working age allowances are designed to provide a safety net for people who require financial assistance, while maintaining incentives for people to join the workforce. Depending on their circumstances, recipients may also be eligible for supplementary payments, such as Commonwealth Rent Assistance .

The Government is acting decisively in the national interest to support households and businesses and address the significant economic consequences of coronavirus.

The Government has extended the temporary Coronavirus Supplement until 31 March 2021. The initial rate of the Coronavirus Supplement was set at $550 a fortnight until 24 September 2020. From 25 September 2020 to 31 December 2020, the supplement has been extended and adjusted to $250 a fortnight. From 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021, the supplement will be $150 a fortnight to reflect the gradually improving economic and labour market conditions .

In addition to the extension of the Coronavirus Supplement, a number of temporary measures have also been extended until 31 March 2021. These measures include changes to the personal income test for JobSeeker Payment, and changes to the partner income test for JobSeeker Payment.

On 25 September 2020, the personal income test for JobSeeker Payment was temporarily changed to a $300 a fortnight income free area, with a 60 cent taper rate for income above the free area. This is an increase to the previous income free areas for JobSeeker Payment. Currently, a single recipient can earn up to $1,257.50 a fortnight before losing access to their payment. This is an increase from the $1,088 a fortnight recipients could earn under the previous arrangements.

In addition, the temporarily reduced taper rate for the JobSeeker Payment partner income test has been extended until 31 March 2021. Since 25 September 2020, the taper rate has been 27 cents for every dollar of partner income earned over $1,165 a fortnight. This ensures that eligible people with personal income of less than $300 a fortnight can receive JobSeeker Payment and the Coronavirus Supplement provided their partner earns less than $3,086.11 a fortnight.

The combination of these measures ensures that extra support is available to Australians who need it most to deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Government is closely monitoring the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19 and will continue to take a measured approach as the situation evolves.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston

Judicial Appointments

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 19 October 2020 regarding Petition EN1782 on the creation of a more transparent and accountable judicial appointments process. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this petition.

Appointments of judges to Australia's federal courts are important decisions to which the Australian Government gives careful consideration. Consistent with long standing conventions, each government determines its own process for judicial appointments.

As the First Law Officer of the Commonwealth, I am responsible for making recommendations to the Government, and ultimately to the Governor-General, about candidates who are suitable for appointment. Before making a recommendation, I have regard to a broad range of factors, including the expertise and background of potential candidates, and consultation with relevant persons. This ensures all judicial appointments are based on merit.

With respect to the petitioners' calls for comprehensive security vetting checks for current and future judicial appointments, I note under item C.3.1 to policy 9 of the Australian Government's Protective Security Policy Framework, judges of federal courts are exempt from requiring to hold security clearances for the purpose of accessing security classified information while exercising the duties of their judicial office. This is consistent with recommendation 6-2 of the Australian Law Reform Commission's (ALRC) 2004 report, Keeping Secrets: The Protection of Classified and Security Sensitive Information (Report No. 98), which concluded there should be no requirement imposed by the executive government for any judge or magistrate be subject to a security clearance before participating in any case.

As the ALRC observed, '[t]he idea that the executive government could vet judges or magistrates and select who would sit on a court or in a particular case based on a secret security assessment of some sort closed to public scrutiny strikes at the heart of the notion of the separation of powers - which is central to the Australian Constitution - and at the independence of the judiciary and magistracy.'

Further, regarding the petitioners' calls for reform to the process for appointing judges' associates, I note this is not a process managed by the Government. It is an essential feature of the Australian system of government that our courts are independent and free of interference from the executive arm of government. Consistent with this independence , the federal courts are each absolutely and ultimately responsible for managing all employment matters, including the recruitment of non-statutory appointees such as judges' associates.

Thank you again for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Porter

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, concerning Petition EN1789 - zero deposit property loans for farms, which had five signatures.

There is no legislation requiring banks to seek deposits from prospective borrowers. This is a commercial decision for the lender. A bank will generally require a borrower to provide some level of deposit to reduce its risk in making the loan and meet regulatory requirements to manage its overall risk. The provision of an asset as collateral for a loan may also serve a similar purpose, depending on the nature and value of the loan.

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.

The Government considers it important that those consumers and businesses with good credit profiles are able to access the finance they need. Ultimately competition, rather than regulation, is the most effective means of creating customer choice.

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

Koalas

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 09 November 2020 concerning Standing Committee on Petitions, Petition Ministerial Referral (EN1862) upgrade the status of the koala to critically endangered. I apologise for the delay in responding.

The koala (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) is listed as a vulnerable species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Threatened Species Scientific Committee is undertaking a re-assessment the status of the listed koala under the EPBC Act, due to be completed by 30 October 2021.

The Committee's draft assessment is currently open for public comment to 30 July 2021 and is available at environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/comment. The Committee's draft assessment recommends that the currently listed koala be eligible for listing as Endangered under the EPBC Act.

The Australian Government is leading the development of a national recovery plan for the listed koala and is collaborating with State and Territory Governments to ensure that the recovery plan aligns with their koala plans and strategies and responds to the 2019/20 bushfire impacts on koalas. This will ensure a national and coordinated approach to the long-term recovery of the species.

The draft koala recovery plan is currently open for public comment to 24 September 2021 and is available at haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/koala-recovery-plan. The draft plan proposes six key strategies including increasing habitat protection and strategic habitat restoration.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment, Ms Ley

Kurri Kurri: Gas Plant

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 regarding Petition EN2046, requesting the House of Representatives repeal the idea of a gas plant in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales.

On 19 May 2021, I announced that the Liberal National Government had committed up to $600 million in equity for Snowy Hydro Limited to build a 660 megawatt gas power station at Kurri Kurri in New South Wales. This project will help ensure adequate replacement generation is available once the Liddell power station retires, delivering reliable and affordable electricity for households, businesses and industries in New South Wales.

This project will create up to 600 new local jobs during peak construction and 1,200 indirect jobs across New South Wales, delivering an important economic boost to the region.

As more renewables enter our energy system, the Government is working to deliver an affordable and reliable grid. The key challenge to supporting continued strong growth in renewable capacity is to provide backup for when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing. Gas, including the Hunter Power Project, will support the strong investment in renewables by firming up intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The Hunter Power Project will also be hydrogen-ready, enabling it to use clean hydrogen in the future as that fuel becomes cost-competitive.

Thank you again for raising this matter with me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor

Taxation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2156 -Removal of specific duty free limitations on tobacco and alcohol. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The Australian Government has no plans to remove the specific duty free arrangements that apply to alcohol and tobacco carried by incoming travellers on arrival into Australia.

The petitioners specifically highlighted the duty on tobacco as an example. The 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 Australian governments have made significant efforts in recent years to reduce tobacco consumption through staged increases in tobacco excise and a swap to wage indexation.

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

Cybersecurity

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 on behalf of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Petitions, enclosing Petition EN2187 concerning urgent reforms on cyber security reviews. The Minister for Defence has referred the petition to me for response .

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring the secure delivery of Government business. Australia's Cyber Security Strategy 2020 includes the largest ever investment in cyber security by an Australian Government. The $1.67 billion investment will enhance cyber security capabilities, protect essential services, and assist businesses and the broader community. Work is already underway to strengthen the defences of Commonwealth public sector networks.

In December 2020, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit tabled Report 485 on Cyber Resilience. Recommendation 4, which proposes that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) consider conducting an annual limited assurance review into cyber resilience of Commonwealth entities, is a matter for the ANAO. Responses to the recommendations are due to the Committee by 8 June 2021.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2187 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Compulsory Voting

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 15 February 2021 referring petition number EN2211, which relates to the enforcement of compulsory voting. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

Australian citizenship bestows rights and responsibilities to its holders, and one of these is the obligation to participate in federal and state elections. Support of democratic beliefs is fundamental to the Australian identity - which is why all applicants for Australian citizenship must make the following pledge:

From this time forward,

I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,

whose democratic beliefs I share,

whose righ ts and liberties I respect, and

whose laws I will uphold and obey.

Australian citizens, whether by birth or conferral are expected to affirm and uphold these values. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 provides for 'compulsory voting' by requiring all eligible Australian citizens to enrol and vote at each election.

Compulsory voting strengthens our democratic process and ensures that the vast majority of citizens can actively participate in elections. The Government has no plans to remove compulsory voting from Australia's electoral system.

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

Australian Public Service

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 16 February 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, enclosing petition EN2221, which requests the Australian Government cut the Australian Public Service (APS) numbers and wages over $150,000 and move departments to other parts of the country. The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf. I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Everyone in the Australian Government, from the Prime Minister down, appreciates the outstanding work the APS does, particularly as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 9 April 2020, the Government introduced a six-month pause on wage increases for all APS employees. The Government believes that at that time a temporary deferral of pay increases was suitable as it was inappropriate for APS employees who have jobs to be receiving wage increases while thousands of Australians face significant financial difficulty and unprecedented job losses.

The APS is a foundational institution of Australia's democracy. It performs a critical role within the executive arm of Government. Its proper functioning is essential to the future prosperity and security of all Australians and successive governments require the APS to perform efficiently and effectively in order to fulfil their responsibilities.

Regarding the views expressed in the petition relating to removing duplication of functions between the Commonwealth and the States, the Australian federation has a three tier system of government consisting of the Commonwealth, States and Territories and local government. The Australian Constitution specifies the powers and responsibilities of the Commonwealth Parliament and Government. These powers and responsibilities are usually matters of national interest and include trade and commerce with other countries, taxation, postal services and defence. Powers and responsibilities not specified in the Constitution reside with the States and Territories. These include education, transport, law enforcement and health services.

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

Yours sincerely

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

COVID-19: Australians Overseas

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 19 March 2021 regarding Petition No. EN2298 on support for Australians overseas affected by international passenger arrivals caps.

Supporting the return of vulnerable Australians from overseas remains one of the Government's highest priorities. The Australian Government is focussing resources where the need is greatest, based on registrations of Australians in vulnerable situations.

The Government is providing financial assistance to vulnerable Australians through the Overseas Financial Assistance program. This support aims to help cover living costs and flights to Australia and is available in the form of loans and grants. The loans are only available as a last resort and are subject to strict eligibility criteria. Further information is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Smartraveller website.

DFAT continues to offer consular assistance to Australians all over the world who have been impacted by COVID-19. The services DFAT can provide are outlined in the Consular Services Charter and include providing Australians with details of local doctors and hospitals.

Australia's COVID-19 vaccinations will be rolled out domestically to people within Australia. Australians overseas should consult their local health professional for advice on vaccine options.

I appreciate it is difficult to return to Australia and acknowledge that the temporary caps on international passenger arrivals into Australia have been extremely frustrating and upsetting for many Australians seeking to return. The decision to introduce the temporary caps on international passenger arrivals was taken by the National Cabinet to safeguard the Australian community and to ensure there is sufficient quarantine capacity to meet the needs of inbound travellers. Airlines determine how they manage the temporary caps in place and decisions regarding seat allocations for commercial flights rests entirely with airlines and may be driven by business considerations.

State and Territory governments, with support from the Australian Government including the Department of Health, manage quarantine arrangements. The Government will continue to work with the Northern Territory to operate government facilitated commercial flights using the Howards Springs quarantine facility. The Australian Government will continue to engage with States and Territories flexibly on additional capacity above the caps to assist vulnerable Australians to return.

As at 23 June, over 607,000 Australians have returned to Australia since the Government recommended people reconsider the need to travel abroad. Since the start of the pandemic, DFAT has helped over 48,700 Australians to return, including around 21,000 people on 142 government facilitated flights from destinations including London, Frankfurt, Paris, New Delhi, Chennai, Johannesburg, Santiago, Los Angeles, Vancouver and a number of ports with direct connections through Singapore. This includes 49 facilitated flights from India and 20 flights from the United Kingdom. On 5 March 2021, the Prime Minister announced the Australian Government would continue to support repatriation flights for Australians through to the end of 2021, as required.

I hope this reassures petitioners of the Government's commitment to assisting Australians overseas.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Overseas Students

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 16 March 2021 enclosing Petition EN2338 concerning Singaporean international students and 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.

International students are an important part of the Australian community, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our classrooms, campuses and communities when conditions allow. Protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home, especially vulnerable Australians, remains the Australian Government's priority. Across government, careful consideration is being given to how and when this can occur in a COVID-safe way.

The Government is working closely with the states and territories, in partnership with education institutions, on arrival pilots for international students to come to Australia in a managed setting. This will occur following the return of Australians and when other circumstances allow.

Any student arrival plan will need to have robust health, quarantine, border and provider protocols in place to ensure a COVID-safe environment for both Australians and international students.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2338 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

COVID-19: Quarantine

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 3 May 2021 to the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP concerning petition EN2407 calling for the ban on international travel to be revoked. As my portfolio is responsible for Australia's COVID-19 health response, your letter has be referred to me.

On 18 March 2020, the Governor-General declared that a human biosecurity emergency exists under section 475 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Biosecurity Act) in relation to the listed human disease 'human coronavirus with pandemic potential' (COVID-19). The existence of a human biosecurity emergency period allows me, as the Health Minister, to determine requirements and give directions under the Act that are necessary to prevent or control the entry, emergence, establishment or spread of COVID-19 in Australian territory or part of Australian territory. The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 (Overseas Travel Ban) is one of four emergency Determinations currently in place.

The Act requires my satisfaction that the emergency requirements are:

likely to be effective in, or contribute to, achieving its purpose

appropriate and adapted to the purpose

no more restrictive or intrusive than required in the circumstances

are applied in a manner that is no more restrictive or intrusive than required in the circumstances

in place for only as long as necessary.

The Overseas Travel Ban moderates the volume of Australians travelling overseas and thus seeking to return home, reducing the risk posed to Australia's quarantine capacity, health systems, and the Australian community, as well as the risks to those individuals who may otherwise be in a country with high COVID-19 prevalence. The Overseas Travel Ban greatly assists the Australian Government's efforts to prevent and control the entry and spread of COVID-19 in Australian territory.

The Government recognises citizens and permanent residents may have exceptional circumstances or compelling reasons for needing to leave Australian territory. The exemption process overseen by the Department of Home Affairs ensures that the travel restriction is no more restrictive or intrusive than required in the circumstances of the current global pandemic.

The Government and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee review the emergency period and its response measures, including the Overseas Travel Ban, to ensure ongoing appropriateness and proportionality in terms of global and local epidemiology, including the emergence of more highly transmissible variants.

Opening Australia's borders too soon could see a resurgence in cases, undoing progress and placing strain on Australia's healthcare resources and quarantine systems.

The Government continues to consider when and how to reopen our borders safely. This is a step-by-step process underpinned by the latest medical advice and based on robust risk assessments. Positively, eligible travellers to New Zealand are exempt from the Overseas Travel Ban, under the quarantine free safe travel arrangements between the Australian and New Zealand Governments.

Although Australia has approved COVID-19 vaccines to prevent development of serious disease if an individual becomes infected, the vaccination program should not be viewed as a panacea or a complete substitute for other public health interventions. All Australians must continue with COVID safe practices.

There remains insufficient data as to whether the vaccines also prevent vaccinated individuals transmitting the virus to others. A person could be vaccinated but still be able to transmit. Until there is a better understanding of this, the purpose for rolling out vaccination in the short term is to protect individuals from developing disease. It should be assumed, until proven otherwise, that vaccinated individuals remain potentially infectious to others.

Thank you for bringing this petition and its concerns to my attention

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2409.

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.

While research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines is ongoing, the technologies have been studied for years and used in other treatments without issue. Scientists began creating viral vectors like the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the 1970s, and mRNA vaccines like Pfizer have been studied before for influenza, rabies and for cancer treatments.

Previous research and vaccine rollout demonstrates that severe side effects are extremely rare and, if they if do occur, they usually happen within the first two months. Because of this, scientists and public-health officials continually monitor vaccine data before, during and after a vaccine becomes available to the public. Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines have been tested in clinical trials since mid-2020 and ongoing trials continue to gather new data over time. Trial data has shown excellent safety results. The first few months of safety data is required before approving any new vaccines. This, plus information coming from vaccine recipients across the world, provides confidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

All vaccines are thoroughly tested to ensure they are effective before approval by the regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), for use in Australia. Through the TGA, Australia also has a robust system for the ongoing monitoring of vaccine safety. The TGA facilitates a responsive and effective review system to detect any unexpected side-effects from COVID-19 vaccines, if they occur, and ensure they are investigated promptly. This type of monitoring is standard practice in Australia for all vaccines, and draws on Australia's medical expert active and vaccine safety system data gathered through AusVaxSafety.

The long-term effects of COVID-19 infection are, however, well-documented. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common lasting symptoms of COVID-19 infection are fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain and chest pain. Other issues include cognitive problems, difficulty concentrating, depression, muscle pain, headache, rapid heartbeat and intermittent fever.

COVID-19 vaccination has not been made mandatory in Australia by the Government and individuals maintain the option to choose. However, it is important that anyone who can receive a vaccination does so, to help keep themselves and others safe. All individuals must give informed consent before having the COVID-19 vaccine, and 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 for people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical and other reasons.

Australians are encouraged to rely on reputable sources of information to help them make informed choices and stay up-to-date. To this end, my Department has been communicating regularly about the progress, safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, with more information available online at: www.health.gov.au.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Remaining Relative Visa

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 enclosing Petition EN2414 concerning the eligibility requirements of a Remaining Relative (subclass 115) visa application.

Family migration is an important element of Australia's migration system, allowing Australian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their family members and contributing to stronger social cohesion outcomes.

Each year, a consultation process is undertaken by the Department of Home Affairs to hear the community's views and inform the Australian Government on both the size and composition of the annual Migration Program.

Following public consultations, the permanent Migration Program is set with Australia's immediate and longer-term economic and social needs in mind. Australia's permanent Migration Program has had a distribution of two-thirds Skill and one-third Family visas since 2005-06.

In 2020-21 and 2021-22, in response to the impacts of COVID-19, the proportion of the Family stream increased to approximately half of the total Migration Program.

The priority in the Family stream category is given to immediate family members who are partner and dependent child applicants. This aligns with the current Government's policy intentions, the need to give priority to certain applications , and to manage the size and composition of the Migration Program.

Visa places are also available, but to a lesser extent, to parents and other family members. The remaining Relative visa is for applicants who have no 'near relatives' other than their visa sponsor. A 'near relative' includes brothers, sisters, parents (or step-equivalents) and non-dependent adult children.

To be eligible for the visa, the person, or their partner, must not have a near relative who lives outside Australia. At present, there is no intention to change these policy settings.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2414 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

Social Media

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 12 May 2021, concerning Petition EN2419, calling for new laws to prevent digitals platforms from deleting political content that does not go against their conditions of service.

The Australian Government is committed to promoting the rule of law and the rights and protections we enjoy as a democratic nation. Of these, our right to free speech and free expression is one of the most highly valued and fiercely protected. The ability of citizens to speak freely and openly is the hallmark of a robust democracy.

However, there has never been an absolute right to free speech in Australia. Free speech is balanced against other considerations, such as whether speech is threatening, offensive or defamatory. The Government's position is that measures to filter, block or 'take down' content on social media websites should be used to protect users from harm, such as by removing online abuse material; or to remove material relating to serious criminal activity, such as content that represents an incitement to violence, or is child exploitation or child sexual abuse material.

Major digital platforms sites, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, have terms of use that govern how users and others interact with them. Social media platforms are private corporations and are well within their rights to enforce their own terms of use and policies, which users agree to by using their service. It is a decision for the company to determine whether an account or piece of content is in breach of a company's policies and how it will respond. However, the Australian Government expects social media platforms to consistently enforce their standards, so that content that is neither harmful nor in breach of a platform's terms of use is not taken down without reason.

Social media platforms have complaints mechanisms for users to raise concerns about the removal of content and accounts. If members of the public feel that a social media website provider has inappropriately removed their content or breached its own terms of use, they can appeal directly to the provider to seek a resolution.

The petition raises particular concerns with censorship of political discussion, particularly in relation to the United States of America's (US) 2020 presidential election. Social media website providers have made statements that they have flagged or censored user-generated content when that content breaches the website's terms of use, including by spreading misinformation.

The Australian Government supports actions by social media website providers to combat misinformation. Following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Digital Platforms Inquiry in 2019, the Government directed industry to develop and implement an industry code of conduct to address disinformation and misinformation on their services. The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) developed the voluntary Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation (Code) on behalf of the Australian digital industry and released the Code on 22 February 2021. The Code has been adopted by Twitter, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Redbubble and TikTok, with other digital platforms also encouraged to sign up. Further information on the Code is available on the DIGI website, digi.org.au/disinformation-code/.

Thank you for bringing these 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

Working Holiday Maker Program

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 enclosing Petition EN2434 concerning extending Working Holiday visas granted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian Government recognises that Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) provide an important cultural and economic contribution to Australia, including through their spending, the work they undertake and job creation in associated industries and businesses. The Government also recognises the importance of WHMs to Australia's economic recovery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main purpose of the WHM program is to build people to people and cultural links between Australia and partner countries. The WHM visa program is a reciprocal arrangement, agreed between partner countries and is targeted specifically at young people. Australia and most WHM arrangement partner countries have agreed to the 18-30 year age bracket, with the age limit being extended to 35 years on a reciprocal basis with a small number of partner countries. All parameters of the program, including the age limit, are negotiated between countries and set through mutual agreement. These agreed positions cannot be changed unilaterally.

In recognition of the valuable role of WHM visa holders, the Government has introduced a number of measures over recent months. For example, WHM visa holders who were unable to travel to Australia or had to leave Australia early due to COVID-19 will be able to apply for a further WHM visa with no visa application charge (VAC), if they continue to meet the age limit, otherwise they can get a VAC refund if they exceed the age limit.

The reopening of the border to groups of visa holders must be based on expert health advice and balanced against the Government's intent for imposing the travel ban and the health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers. Further information is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: http://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2434 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

COVID-19: Pacific Islands

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter regarding Petition Number EN2436 which calls for the House to consider supplying COVID-19 vaccines and logistic support to all Pacific Island countries to ensure full population coverage, and permit quarantine free travel within the Pacific region.

The Government has committed to supporting comprehensive vaccine coverage in the Pacific, in coordination with New Zealand, France and the United States. The Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative includes $200 million to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the Pacific.

By 12 June, Australia will have provided over 280,000 AstraZeneca doses to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, with further deliveries scheduled including to other Pacific countries. On 5 May the government announced a partnership with UNICEF to procure vaccines for up to 6 million people in the Pacific. This is in addition to the $130 million we have committed to the COVAX Facility's Advance Market Commitment, which to date has delivered over 340,000 doses to the Pacific. We are also supporting Pacific governments to roll out COVID-19 vaccines, including through logistical support and training of health workers.

Supporting our neighbours to access vaccines means the Pacific region will be a step closer to international travel when conditions allow, including for Pacific workers.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2444.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination has not been made mandatory in Australia by the Government, and individuals maintain the option to choose. At the same time, it is important that anyone who can receive a vaccine does so, to help keep themselves and others safe. All individuals must give informed consent before having the COVID-19 vaccine, and anyone with questions about the benefits of being vaccinated is encouraged to talk to their doctor or health professional.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning the Petition EN2445 on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The Australian Government is committed to providing all Australians with access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to those who wish to be vaccinated.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) undertook an independent and rigorous assessment of the available data for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The data provided to the TGA was comprehensive and included clinical studies, non-clinical and toxicology studies, chemistry, manufacturing, risk management and other information. All data was carefully reviewed by a large team of TGA's technical and clinical experts before provisionally approving the Pfizer vaccine. Supply of Moderna's vaccine in Australia will only commence after the TGA has decided that the potential benefits outweigh the risks for the intended use of this vaccine. An application by Moderna for provisional registration of its COVID-19 vaccine is expected shortly by the TGA.

The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by a number of global regulatory agencies (84 and 46 countries respectively). Real world data collated and analysed as part of the global rollout have shown that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly effective vaccines, with 94-95 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 and up to 100 per cent effectiveness against severe disease and death. Data has also shown that only minor adverse experiences are noted with these vaccines, which is limited to swelling, pain and soreness at the injection site. To date, no new or confirmed safety signals have been reported for the mRNA vaccines.

Both vaccines retain efficacy against COVID-19 variants. The technology used in the mRNA vaccines mean they can be quickly adapted and manufactured to account for virus variants in the future if necessary.

Technology using mRNA has been in development for decades, with clinical trials in humans being conducted as early as 2011. The COVID-19 pandemic provided funding and opportunity for researchers who have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines to produce safe and effective vaccines.

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use a fragment of mRNA to instruct the body to generate an immune response against COVID-19. The mRNA is broken down quickly by the body. It never enters the nucleus and cannot affect or combine with our DNA in any way to change our genetic code or the body's cells. Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach the body's cells how to make a protein that triggers a specific immune response to protect against COVID-19. The vaccines work with the body's natural defences to develop immunity to disease, so the body is able to rapidly create its own antibodies to prevent disease if it encounters the virus in the future.

Australia's priority remains to vaccinate as many people as soon as possible, where the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks. This will reduce pressure on health care services, including hospitals and intensive care facilities and help to protect the health of Australians who are at higher risk of severe disease.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

NAPLAN: Eid al-Fitr

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 13 May 2021 regarding petition number EN2448. I note the petition requests changing the dates of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing in 2021 as it coincides with Islamic festival Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of Ramadan.

NAPLAN is held at the commencement of Term 2 each year. It is complex to schedule the NAPLAN testing window across the nation and this decision is made in collaboration with all jurisdictions and set many years in advance.

As Islamic special events and rituals are set by the lunar calendar, the dates for these events change from year to year. While this year's test event coincided with Ramadan, the proposed NAPLAN schedule for 2022-24 is outside of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education and Youth, Mr Tudge

India

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 enclosing Petition EN2449 concerning tensions in the Indian Australian community. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

I note that the three petitioners have alleged Indian Australian "separatist groups" are spreading disharmony within the Australian community. I also note the petitioners request that the House of Representatives cease any funding and permission to protest to these groups.

Australia is a prosperous and cohesive liberal 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.

As a nation, we are bound together by our shared values of freedom of religion, speech and association, commitment to the rule of law and parliamentary democracy, and equality and a fair go for all.

The Australian Government condemns hatred and vilification in all its forms. Everyone in the Australian community, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural background, has the right to feel safe, respected and included in our successful multicultural society.

Violence and assault are criminal offences and there are federal and state laws in place with significant penalties. If members of the public feel threatened or unsafe in any way, they should contact the following:

the police on 000 for immediate threats;

the local police on 13 14 44; or

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Department of Home Affairs' grant programs are designed to meet all requirements of the Public Governance Performance Accountability Act 2013, and the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet all eligibility requirements in order to apply for a grant. They must also demonstrate how funding will be used to achieve the funding outcomes described in the grant guidelines.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2449 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

National Education Standards

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email regarding Petition EN2452 - Human Evolution Education. In response to the issue raised in the petition I can provide the following advice.

The nationally agreed Foundation - Year 10 Australian Curriculum (the curriculum) sets the expectations for what all Australian students should be taught and is a key mechanism for providing educational consistency across the nation.

All Education Ministers have tasked the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) with improving the curriculum by refining, realigning and decluttering the content. In doing this, ACARA draws on the expertise of curriculum and other experts, the teaching profession and stakeholders. A rigorous, balanced and evidenced based curriculum is an important contribution to lifting Australia's performance in literacy, numeracy and science.

ACARA is undertaking public consultation on the draft curriculum revisions from 29 April to 8 July 2021 and feedback from all stakeholders and the community is welcome. The petitioner may wish to participate in the consultation process. Further information about the review is at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/consultation.

While the Australian Government takes a leadership role in matters of national education policy, the delivery of school education is a matter for State and Territory Government and non-government education authorities. The petitioner may wish to contact their State or Territory Education Minister to discuss their concerns. Contact details are enclosed.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education and Youth, Mr Tudge

Encl:

State and Territory Education Ministers

Parliament

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence regarding petition number EN2459.The petition relates to the content of one of the House of Representatives infosheets and refers to an earlier petition (EN1252), regarding communication with constituents.

The purpose of the infosheet series is to educate members of the public on the operation of the House and Parliament, and Australia's system of government. The series is maintained by the Department of the House of Representatives, for which I have oversight responsibility.

The House infosheet series is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that information is current and, where necessary, reflects changes in House practice and procedure. Members of Parliament and their staff are not involved in this process, although it would be open to any Member to draw the attention of departmental staff to errors of fact.

The infosheet that is the subject of the petition, Infosheet 15: The work of a Member of Parliament, was last updated in March 2020. The department has advised that the changes made at this time were mostly stylistic in nature. The line that is referred to in petition EN1252—'communication skills are important in all aspects of a Member's work, but are particularly so in working with constituents'—remains under the heading 'What skills does a Member need?' on page 1.

Members are best placed to determine the most suitable way of communicating with their constituents, whether in person or online, and the management of social media accounts and other communication methods is a matter for them.

I trust this information will be of assistance to the petitioners. It is pleasing that members of the public are taking advantage of resources which provide information about the work of the House and its Members.

Sincerely

from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tony Smith

Afghanistan

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 13 May 2021 regarding Petition Number EN2474. The petition requested

"the House to call on the Australian Government to publicly condemn the violence against Afghan human rights defenders, journalists, and media workers, and especially violence against Afghan women in these and other roles in society. We ask the Australian Government to increase its support to the Afghanistan Government by providing urgent and immediate protections for Afghanis in these roles and to protect their legitimate rights to life, freedom of expression, to access education, employment and other fundamental freedoms without fear of reprisal or attack."

I am pleased to provide further information regarding Australia's support to promote the rights of all Afghans, including Afghan women through our political advocacy, development assistance and support in multilateral fora. The Australian Government condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing violence, targeted killings, attacks, and other human rights abuses in Afghanistan.

During my visit to Kabul on 9 May 2021, I discussed the gains made by the people of Afghanistan over the past 20 years, the development and humanitarian assistance provided by Australia and our enduring shared commitment to a sustainable peace that is genuinely inclusive and involves all of Afghan society. I discussed these issues with the Acting Minister of Women's Affairs, Mrs Hasina Safi, as well as President Ghani.

Australia's former Embassy in Kabul contributed to several joint statements on social media @AusEmbAfg. These statements condemned the campaign of violence against media workers and journalists in Afghanistan. Australia will continue this work through other channels now that the Embassy has moved to non-residential accreditation.

Australia participated in the Group of Friends of Afghanistan and Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan at the United Nations in New York. In March, we contributed to a joint statement condemning the continued violence and targeted killings. We also participated in the Heart of Asia- Istanbul Peace Conference in April 2021, where we called for an immediate end to the ongoing campaign of targeted assassinations and attacks on civilians, particularly the ongoing targeting of women and human rights activists and other prominent women such as judges and police officers.

The Australian Government has provided around $1.51 billion in official development assistance to Afghanistan since 2001. Australia was pleased to join the Geneva Ministerial Conference in November 2020 to reaffirm our commitment of support to the future development of Afghanistan. Australia pledged up to $200 million over 2021-2024, with $52.5 million this financial year.

Australia's Ending Violence Against Women Program ($22.5 million, 2012-21) is raising awareness on women's right s 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.

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 Government remains committed to supporting the peace process in Afghanistan and acknowledges there is no military solution to the longstanding conflict . An Afghan-led and owned political settlement is the only way to resolve the conflict and maintain the gains of the past 20 years. Australia will continue to support these gains through political advocacy, development assistance and support in multilateral fora.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021 enclosing Petition EN2485 concerning allowing extended family members of Australians who have received the COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Australia. Your correspondence was referred to me as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As you know, Australia's current travel restriction policy has played a key foundational role underpinning management of COVID-19's impact on public health in Australia.

At the present time, there is no exception to Australia's travel restrictions policy settings as a result of an individual's vaccination status or the vaccination programs which are becoming available in several jurisdictions overseas.

The Australian Government regularly reviews Australia's travel restrictions policy as national and global circumstances in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, and is guided by the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee in relation to easing restrictions on international travel.

Implementing any changes to the current policy settings for travel restrictions and exempting travellers based on their vaccination status will be a process informed by expert health advice.

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 EN2485 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Commonwealth Electoral Act

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 13 May 2021 referring to petition number EN2487, which requests that the voting age be lowered to 16 years of age. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

It is important that the right to vote applies from an appropriate age, to ensure that electors can adequately understand parliamentary representation, enrolment and the electoral process. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 provides that persons aged 16 years and over may enrol provisionally, ahead of becoming eligible to vote when they are 18 years of age. This is one way of encouraging people to start thinking about their future rights and responsibilities as voters, before they become qualified to vote.

Young people who have an interest in politics can also participate in public debates in various ways including by making submissions to parliamentary committees or by writing to members of Parliament. The Government also provides funding for a range of educational programs and resources, including the Museum of Australian Democracy, to help young Australians build their understanding of how Australia's system of government works.

The Government has no plans to change the voting age, noting that while 16- and 17-year­ olds do take on significant responsibilities, in most cases this is under parental guidance. Voting, like most other social and legal norms does not and should not apply full responsibility until the age of 18.

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

Circumcision

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 13 May 2021 concerning Petition Number EN2490, presented to the House of Representatives on 12 May 2021.

The petition called for a ban on circumcision of all children, boys and girls. The Australian Government cannot support a blanket ban on circumcision, as there are circumstances in which it is both appropriate and necessary for a male to undergo the procedure. Information concerning circumcision and the situations where it is appropriate to be performed on health grounds is provided at: www.healthdirect.gov.au/male-circumcision.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) currently provides benefits to patients for circumcision of the penis (MBS Items 30658 and 30654). The Health Insurance Act 1973, stipulates that Medicare benefits are only payable for clinically relevant services provided by health practitioners. A clinically relevant service is one that is generally accepted by the relevant profession as necessary for the appropriate treatment of the patient.

The government relies on the judgement of health practitioners to determine whether medical services are clinically relevant and meet the MBS item descriptor requirements in deciding whether a procedure is necessary for a particular patient, including infants.

Medical professional groups such as the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Paediatric Association do not support routine male circumcision except where it is clinically relevant and there is an identified need for surgery to improve the patient's health. The policy statements from these organisations and other jurisdictions can be found at: www.cirp.org/library/statements.

You may be interested to know that some states (such as New South Wales and Victoria) have policies that circumcision on infants does not routinely occur in public hospitals. Data is publicly available for services funded under the MBS, however, there is no specific register related to circumcision.

With regard to female circumcision, this is illegal in Australia. It is also illegal to take female children overseas for this procedure.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Remembrance Day

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 13 May 2021 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, enclosing petition EN2502, which requests the Commonwealth Government declare a National Day of Remembrance for COVID-19 on 26 October 2021. The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf.

National days may be observed without a proclamation or intervention by the Australian Government. A number of days throughout the year have gained community acceptance as the dates on which particular events are celebrated or commemorated. These events generally evolve without government involvement. Examples include Mothers' Day and Red Nose Day. The proclamation of 'days of national observance' by the Governor-General is one of a number of ways to promote the observation of days of celebration or commemoration.

The Government has acknowledged the response to the COVID-19 crisis has been unprecedented, both on the front-line and behind the scenes. Suitably the focus for the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments is the health and wellbeing of Australians, their livelihoods, their jobs and ensuring Australia is positioned to emerge strong and robust.

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

Yours sincerely

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

Mental Health

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2515. The petition requests a Royal Commission into Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veteran suicide as well as depression.

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 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 asked me to lead a public consultation process around these themes to inform the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission. This consultation period has now closed and I have provided feedback to the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, 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, were 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 hope this information is of assistance to

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Mr Chester

Australian Courts

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 regarding House of Representatives petition EN2521 requesting that the House ensure that the "special witness" feature/status offered to a female is removed to ensure parity in the legal framework.

Vulnerable witness protections are designed to support complainants in certain matters to provide evidence in court proceedings and include use of pre-recorded testimony and closed-circuit television to give evidence and restrictions on cross-examination in certain circumstances. These measures support complainants to present their best possible testimony and reduce the risk that complainants will be re-traumatised while giving evidence. They do not affect the weight that is given to evidence by the trier of fact, nor do they remove a defendant's right to challenge that evidence. The availability of vulnerable witness protections is not limited by the gender of the complainant. Men and women are equally entitled to vulnerable witness protections provided that certain requirements are met.

At the Commonwealth level, vulnerable witness protections are available to children and adult complainants involved in specified proceedings (slavery, trafficking arid child sex abuse offences in respect of children complaints; slavery and trafficking offences in respect of adult complainants) and to 'special witnesses' in respect of proceedings for any Commonwealth offence. A person may be declared a special witness if the court is satisfied that the person is unlikely to be able to satisfactorily give evidence in the ordinary manner because of a disability or because of intimidation, distress or emotional trauma.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Health Care

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 24 May 2021 enclosing petition EN2523, concerning the Australian Government's investment in Australia's public health system.

The Australian Government believes that a mixed model of balanced private and public health services is integral to the provision of universal access to high quality, affordable health care services for all Australians.

Australia's health system is one of the best in the world and strives to provide safe and affordable high quality care for every Australian. While our health system performs well, there is a need to ensure the health system continues to meet changing health needs in a flexible and sustainable manner, to achieve the best outcomes for the Australian population now and into the future.

The 2020-25 National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) was agreed by the Australian Government with all state and territory governments on 29 May 2020, and commenced on 1 July 2020. The NHRA sets out the financial and governance arrangements for Australia's public hospital system for the next five years. It also includes a shared commitment by all Australian governments to long-term system-wide health reforms to improve health outcomes for all Australians, and create a more efficient and sustainable health system.

The NHRA recognises the states and territories as system managers of their public hospital systems, with responsibility for delivering emergency Department, admitted and non-admitted care, and other services (for example, specialist, mental health and sub-acute care). As system managers, the states and territories are responsible for determining the mix of the services and functions delivered within their jurisdiction, and for system-wide public hospital service planning and performance.

As part of the NHRA, the state and territory governments have committed to providing eligible patients with the choice to receive public hospital services free-of-charge, on the basis of clinical need and within a clinically appropriate period. States have also committed to have arrangements in place to ensure equitable access to such services, regardless of geographical location.

Through the NHRA, the Australian Government is providing a record funding contribution to assist states and territories with the costs of delivering public hospital services.

The Australian Government's funding contribution for public hospitals services in all states and territories under the NHRA has grown substantially from $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $25.5 billion in 2019-20, or by 92 per cent. Funding under the 2020-25 NHRA is projected to continue to grow to $135.4 billion between 2020-21 and 2024-25. This funding will mean more doctors, more nurses and importantly more services and support for patients.

In addition, the Australian Government is investing $1.25 billion through the Community Health and Hospitals Program to fund projects and services in every state and territory, supporting patient care while reducing pressure on community and hospital services.

The NHRA builds on the collaboration between the Australian Government and the states and territories in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the Australian health system remains stable and nationally coordinated, particularly throughout this unprecedented time.

The 2020-25 NHRA signals a commitment by all governments to work together to implement long-term system-wide health reforms, in line with the following strategic priority areas:

improving efficiency and ensuring financial sustainability

delivering safe, high-quality care in the right place at the right time

prioritising prevention and helping people manage their health across their lifetime

driving best practice and performance using data and research.

The reforms will deliver greater flexibility that will make it easier to provide high-quality, person-centred care in the most appropriate setting, reduce avoidable hospitalisations, and improve system sustainability.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Charitable Organisations

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2526, which requests that the Basic Religious Charity category and exemptions in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act) be abolished. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

As noted in the petition, some religious entities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) can be designated as a 'basic religious charity'. This results in fewer reporting and other obligations under the ACNC Act. Basic religious charities are not required to provide financial information as part of their Annual Information Statements, submit annual financial reports, or comply with the governance standards.

The definition of a basic religious charity was incorporated into the ACNC Act in part to reflect the concepts of religious freedom in the Australian Constitution and under international human rights laws. The exemptions granted to basic religious charities are intended to reduce the governance and compliance requirements placed on small religious bodies which are not incorporated and receive little direct funds from government.

An organisation must meet strict eligibility requirements to be registered as a basic religious charity. This includes, among other criteria, that the organisation is registered only with the charitable purpose of advancing religion and not any other subtype, that it is not a deductible gift recipient, and that the total grants it receives from Australian government agencies in a financial year does not exceed $100,000.

I would like to emphasise the Australian Government's commitment to ensuring that children are safe and protected from abuse. The Australian Government is currently working to implement its response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission), which investigated how institutions and governments can better protect children, how they can achieve best practice in reporting and responding to incidents and how to address the impact of child sexual abuse.

As part of its response, the Government established the National Redress Scheme to ensure that people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse receive redress through financial payments, counselling and psychological care. The Government has taken specific steps to ensure that all charities, including basic religious charities, are accountable under the scheme. On 25 February 2021, a new ACNC governance standard came into effect which requires registered charities to take reasonable steps to join the Scheme if an application has been made or is likely to be made against them. Alongside this governance standard, the Government amended the ACNC Act to require basic religious charities with an application made against them to join the Redress Scheme. Basic religious charities that fail to meet this requirement will lose their status and exemptions under the ACNC Act, and then be subject to all ACNC governance standards, including the new governance standard.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your correspondence of 24 May 2021 to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, enclosing petition EN2543 concerning seeking travel exemptions for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to travel to Australia. Your correspondence was referred to me 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, and my correspondence to you of 25 May 2021 in response to Petition EN2311 Include parents as immediate family members for travel exemption, currently no consideration is being given to broaden the definition of immediate family and automatically exempt parents from the travel restrictions for travel to Australia.

Individuals, including parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents, who are not automatically exempt from the travel restrictions but have a compelling reason to travel to Australia, can submit a travel exemption request for an assessment against the exemption categories outlined on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions.

An exemption request should be accompanied by the individual's details, case information and supporting statement and can be submitted through the online portal on the Department's website at: https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep.

Decisions to grant exemptions must be balanced against the Government's intent for imposing the travel restrictions, that is, the potential health risks posed to the Austral ian community by international travellers.

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 EN2543 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Federal Election

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 24 May 2021 regarding petition EN2544, which proposes that a federal election is held immediately. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

As you would be aware, under the Australian Constitution, the House of Representatives may sit for a maximum of three years from the first meeting of the House after a federal election, but may be dissolved sooner. Senators are elected for six-year terms on a rotating membership, with half of the Senators being elected every three years. Newly-elected Senators commence their six-year term on 1 July, with half-Senate elections required to be held within one year before the places of the Senators become vacant.

Generally, half-Senate elections are held concurrently with elections for the House of Representatives. Noting that half of the current Senators' terms are due to expire on 30 June 2022, the next federal election (simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representatives election) may be called as early as Saturday 7 August 2021, or as late as Saturday 22 May 2022. The Governor-General may call a federal election, on the advice of the Prime Minister, through issuing a formal order (writ) for the election. However, the Governor-General may not call an election outside of the timeframes outlined above, except in the case of a double dissolution election. Consequently, the Government cannot call an immediate election, as the petitioners suggest.

However, I would like to assure the petitioners that, when the next federal election is called in accordance with the requirements outlined above, it will be conducted within the legislated timeframes. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) governs the timing of different aspects of the election following the issue of the writs, such as the final date for the nomination of candidates.

I note the petitioners also request the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) be provided with powers to prevent and prosecute ineligible, unlawful or misleading incidents in the lead-up to an election, and disqualify parties or candidates that are party to any such incidents. The AEC already has powers to prosecute activities which are prohibited under the Electoral Act, as well as administering the Act's requirements for candidate and political party eligibility. Moreover, illegal activities not covered under the Electoral Act are captured under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (the Criminal Code). The existing provisions in the Electoral Act and the Criminal Code ensure that the AEC and other government entities can appropriately respond to unlawful election-related incidents.

The Government takes political freedoms seriously, and considers the rights of Australians to engage in our electoral system imperative to the functioning of Australia's democracy.

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

from the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, Mr Morton

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2557.

EN2557 concerns the same topic and request that was addressed in my response to petition number PN0504. I have enclosed a copy of that response for your convenience.

My response remains unchanged. In essence, there is a legislated process for seeking a change to the Statements of Principles (SOPs). This is for an eligible person to contact the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) to request an investigation of the sound scientific and medical evidence regarding the causation of a condition. The Government cannot direct the RMA to include specific factors in the SOPs, nor would it be appropriate to do so. Should an RMA investigation conclude there is sound medical and scientific evidence to include a factor, then the relevant Statement of Principle(s) will be amended. The RMA can be contacted by email at info @rma.gov.au , by telephone on (07) 3815 9404 or via online feedback form at www.rma.gov.au/contact-us.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Mr Chester

Olympic and Paralympic Games

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 24 May 2021about Petition EN2572 regarding concerns about a range of Chinese government actions, particularly reports of human rights abuses. The petition called for support for the removal of the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing and for a boycott by the Australian Olympic team.

The Australian Government is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in China, especially in regards to Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang. We raise these concerns regularly, both directly with the Chinese government, and in appropriate international forums including at ministerial level.

Notwithstanding those concerns, as the Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, has said, the Australian Government is not supporting calls for an athlete boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Responsibility for sending teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games rests solely with the independent Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia. Preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a lifelong endeavour for many athletes, and those who qualify should have the opportunity to compete.

Owing to the short amount of time between now and the start of the 2022 Winter Games, we do not believe it is feasible to relocate the Games away from Beijing. Having hosted the 1956 and 2000 Summer Games, we understand the level of commitment and preparation that would be required by any prospective host country.

The promotion and protection of human rights around the world are a matter of high priority for the government. We have a range of avenues available to advocate for improvements to the human rights situation in China and will continue to pursue these wherever appropriate.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne

Commonwealth Electoral Act

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 24 May 2021 regarding petition EN2574, which proposes mandatory voter identification and additional restrictions with respect to postal voting. I am responding as the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.

The Government is committed to strengthening the integrity of our electoral system, and maintaining voter confidence in elections. While mandatory 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.

As part of the 2020-21 Budget, the Government has provided $96.7 million over three years to commence the modernisation of the Australian Electoral Commissions' (AEC) ICT systems and infrastructure, to protect the integrity of federal elections and improve services to Australian voters. Further funding of $26.8 million was also provided in December 2020 to support the continued rollout of Electronic Certified Lists, 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.

Regarding the petitioners' request to restrict postal voting, I note the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) already contains provisions outlining the grounds of application for a postal vote. These include instances where an individual is unable to attend a polling booth due to serious illness or residing overseas, as the petitioners suggest. The existing provisions in the Electoral Act ensure that postal voting is only available under specific circumstances.

The Government is considering the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report into the conduct of the 2019 federal election, which includes recommendations relevant to the matters of voter identification and postal voting raised by the petitioners. The Government will provide a full response to each of the recommendations in due course.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, Mr Morton

Superannuation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition (EN2583) signed by one person. This petition is seeking a mandatory requirement for all superannuation funds to disclose how human overpopulation risk may affect superannuation returns and how funds are managing these risks.

The licensee of a registerable superannuation entity (licensee) is required to have a risk management framework in place that covers all material risks, both financial and non-financial. Licensees are responsible for identifying these risks. This framework must enable the licensee to develop and implement strategies, policies, procedures and controls to appropriately manage different types of material risk.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which is the entity responsible for regulating this aspect of a superannuation fund's operations, recently released draft guidance on how licensees should manage the financial risks associated with climate change (see Prudential Practice Guide: Draft CPG 229 Climate Change Financial Risks). The draft guidance is available from the APRA website: www.apra.gov.au.

If a member of a superannuation fund wants information on an issue relating to the fund, such as how the fund is managing a particular risk, the member can ask that question at the Annual Members' Meeting for the fund. A responsible officer of the licensee must answer that question at the meeting or within one month after the meeting. In addition, the minutes of the meeting must include the answer to that question.

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

National Education Standards

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 24 May 2021 regarding Petition number EN2584. The petition requests inclusion of environmental concerns as part of the relationships and sexuality module of the Australian Curriculum.

The nationally agreed Foundation - Year 10 Australian Curriculum (the curriculum), endorsed by all Education Ministers, sets the expectations for what all Australian students should be taught, regardless of where they live or their background. Year 7 students are given the opportunity to learn about population growth as it relates to food production as part of the Physical and Environmental Geography sub-strand of the Geography learning area.

In 2015, Education Ministers agreed a regular review of the curriculum should occur every six years. The last review occurred in 2014. On 12 June 2020, all Education Ministers agreed to the Terms of Reference for the current review to ensure the curriculum remains current and continues to meet the needs of students in line with the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. A rigorous, balanced and evidenced based curriculum is an important contribution to lifting Australia's performance in literacy, numeracy and science.

Ministers have tasked the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to refine, realign and declutter the content of the curriculum. In doing this ACARA draws on the expertise of curriculum experts, the teaching profession and stakeholders. ACARA is undertaking public consultation from 29 April to 8 July 2021 and feedback from all stakeholders and the community is welcome. I encourage the signatories of this petition to participate in the consultation process. Further information about the review including how you can submit your feedback is at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/consultation.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education and Youth, Mr Tudge

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 24 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2585 regarding a request that Gold Cards be provided to veterans covered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA).

The veteran Gold Card provides for treatment for all health conditions, whether or not they are related to service. It is an entitlement which is targeted towards meeting the health needs of those eligible current and former Australian Defence Force members whose service has caused, or has an acknowledged higher likelihood of causing, significant health problems. This includes those veterans who served on active operations against an enemy during a war or conflict, and those who have a high level of disability caused by their service.

Eligibility for the Gold Card exists under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and is also available to Australian participants in British Nuclear Testing and members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization medical teams in Vietnam . The DRCA differs from the VEA and the MRCA, as it only provides treatment and compensation for conditions accepted as being related to service . It currently makes no provision for the treatment of any non-service-related injuries and diseases. As such, there is no legislative basis under the DRCA to issue the Gold Card, even where a veteran has a high level of service-related impairment.

The 2019 Productivity Commission report, A Better Way to Support Veterans, made recommendations about bringing certain aspects of DRCA entitlements and eligibility in line with the other Acts administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). As was noted in the Government's interim response to the Productivity Commission report, these recommendations, which focus on simplifying and harmonising legislation, processes and benefits will be important considerations as OVA continues to improve the accessibility, simplicity, and continuity of support for veterans and their families.

However, the Productivity Commission also specifically recommended against providing a Gold Card under DRCA. While the Government's interim response to the Productivity Commission rejected the recommendation that there be no further expansion of Gold Card eligibility, any change to provide a Gold Card to veterans covered under the DRCA will require passage of legislation. The cost implications of such a change would require Government consideration in a Budget context .

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Foreign Investment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2594 - foreign ownership of Australian land. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

Foreign investment provides significant benefits to Australia. It is important for economic growth and job creation, and it contributes to the prosperity of businesses, communities, and the overall economy. Without foreign investment, Australia's production, employment, and income would all be lower.

At the same time, the Government recognises that foreign investments must be in the national interest.

Foreign investment into Australia, including foreign acquisitions of land, is managed through Australia's foreign investment review framework. This framework strikes a balance between ensuring we remain an attractive investment destination and upholding the national interest so that Australians can be confident in the benefits of foreign investment. If it is determined that a proposed investment is contrary to Australia's national interest, it will not be approved or conditions will be applied to safeguard the national interest.

Comprehensive reforms to the foreign investment review framework also came into effect from 1 January 2021. These reforms update the framework in three broad ways: they address national security risks; strengthen the existing system, particularly as it relates to compliance by foreign investors; and streamline investment in non-sensitive businesses.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2598 requesting the Australian Government remove the mandatory influenza vaccination requirement to visit residential aged care facilities.

States and territories established directions under their emergency management provisions in response to COVID-19, which set out requirements with regard to visitors to and entry into residential aged care facilities. The directions give effect to the recommendations of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), endorsed by National Cabinet.

The entry restrictions generally apply to individuals entering a residential aged care facility, including staff, visitors, health practitioners, volunteers and others. There are differences and exemptions across the jurisdictions regarding when an influenza vaccination is available to a person. Broadly speaking however there are no exemptions to the influenza vaccination requirements for individuals that choose not to be vaccinated for personal, cultural or religious reasons.

The directions are temporary, established under individual jurisdictions' emergency management provisions in response to COVID-19. It is a matter for the individual state and territory governments to update, extend or repeal the directions/Public Health Orders in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Jurisdictions have published supporting information, for individuals to understand how the directions apply to their personal circumstances.

In relation to the legality of state and territory directions, there is an array of statutory powers that can be exercised in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The key statutes which confer these types of powers for use in the current circumstances are powers that are conferred under various Public Health and Biosecurity statutes.

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 noting that states and territories have established entry restrictions to residential aged care facilities for individuals that do not meet certain vaccination requirements, immunisation is not compulsory and people maintain the right to choose whether to receive an influenza vaccination. It is recommended that employees discuss specific vaccination requirements with their employer.

Vaccines are only made available in Australia and included on the National Immunisation Program after they have been rigorously tested, evaluated and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to ensure they meet stringent safety and efficacy guidelines. Vaccines continue to be tested after their introduction via additional clinical trials, surveillance and monitoring of vaccine adverse events.

With regard to mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, residential aged care workers and residents are a priority and have been among the first people in Australia to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. On 22 January 2021, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced that National Cabinet had agreed the AHPPC interim advice that state and territory public health orders should not be utilised to require vaccination against COVID-19 for residential aged care facilities.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning Petition EN2605 - introduction of statutory timeframe on deciding Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) claims and applications.

The introduction of statutory timeframes for determining claims under veterans and other compensation legislation has been examined in the past. A number of reviews have concluded that statutory timeframes would not produce better outcomes for veterans and may deliver unintended consequences. These reviews include (but are not limited to):

In June 2014, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission released a report into the 'Review of Statutory Timeframes under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA)'.

Discussion of the use of statutory timeframes under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015.

Most recently the 2019 Productivity Commission report "A Better Way to Support Veterans" which did not support the establishment of statutory timeframes.

These reviews have generally concluded that statutory timeframes lead to adverse, unexpected and inequitable outcomes, and are generally detrimental to veterans. Defined timeframes to decide claims may result in a number of adverse outcomes, including poor and incorrect decisions being made.

The petition notes that the Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families First) Act 2019 includes a 90 day commitment for the determination of claims under the MRCA. This aspirational goal, which does not represent a statutory timeframe, recognises that claims will be decided in a time that is proportionate to the complexity of the matter. Because of the varied complexity of claims there will always be differences in timeliness of decision making.

There are a number of factors which can result in delays in processing a claim. As well as the number of claims on hand, the time taken to determine claims can be influenced by the following:

The time between an incident or a veteran's service and the subsequent lodgement of a claim, which may make accessing relevant evidence difficult.

The complexity of the claim (for instance whether the relevant service is covered under one or multiple Acts or the number of conditions lodged with the claim).

The need to obtain further information from the veteran, the Australian Defence Force, medical practitioners or witnesses.

Many of these factors are outside the control of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).

A defined timeframe in which to determine a claim is likely to create additional pressures on delegates, which could impact on the quality of decision making. It would also require others involved in the process, such as medical practitioners, to prioritise the provision of claim information, potentially at the expense of providing timely health care for the benefit of veterans.

In addition, the potential consequences for not meeting a defined statutory timeframe will also create difficulties:

An automatic rejection after a set period has elapsed may disadvantage veterans (although it is acknowledged that this would encourage submission of complete and detailed claims with relevant supporting evidence).

This option was considered and rejected by Parliament in the context of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015 on the basis that it would require a client to contest a mandated rejection through relevant appeals processes, including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the courts.

It may also create perverse incentives for delegates to finalise claims without adequately investigating a claim or obtaining the relevant evidence, resulting in incorrect outcomes.

An automatic acceptance may lead to inconsistent outcomes for veterans in the same circumstances, regardless of the evidence or merits of a case.

The Productivity Commission noted that this could create perverse incentives among veterans to submit incomplete, incorrect or late information in order to ensure the timeframe elapses before a claim can be determined.

This could also mean that weak claims that should not otherwise succeed would be determined favourably and more complex (or historical) cases where there is a lack of evidence available or easily accessible will by default succeed, which could again lead to inequitable outcomes.

In the case of automatic acceptance the approach could also result in unnecessary (and potentially large) debts arising where a subsequent review finds the veteran is ineligible for a benefit.

Set timeframes may also make it more likely that claims would be determined without consideration of the full merits of the case and result in inequitable outcomes among clients with similar circumstances. Even without a defined outcome, set timeframes could create a situation where, due to time pressures, claims may be accepted where they should be rejected and rejected where they should be accepted. This would not conform with the intent of the legislation, which is to arrive at the correct or preferable outcome on the basis of the available evidence and in accordance with the relevant statutory tests.

For these reasons, set timeframes may result in higher error rates and require veterans to pursue the proper entitlements through prolonged, stressful and potentially unnecessary appeals processes. Ultimately, this could result in increased time taken to finalise a claim.

Importantly, the Government has taken numerous steps to mitigate the impact of claim determination times on veterans and eligible dependants. For example, the Government has introduced the Veteran Payment, a temporary payment providing financial support while mental health claims are being assessed. The trial of provisional access to medical treatment for the top 20 claimed conditions while these claims are being assessed has recently been extended. Policy initiatives have also led to a reduction in the time taken to process claims through the streamlining and straight-through-processing of certain conditions.

Due to the Government's significant reforms in recent years encouraging engagement with DVA, raising awareness of the right to claim and making it easier for veterans to do so, claims have more than doubled between the financial years 2017-18 to 2019-20. This has created a backlog. The Government is committed to managing this backlog and has provided DVA with more than $98 million through the 2021-22 Budget to fund additional resources to attend to the increased workload. These combined initiatives will see an increase to DVA's staffing by more than 440 positions - the largest increase to DVA resourcing in decades. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to reducing the claims backlog and reducing the time taken to determine a claim.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Women's Economic Security

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 24 May 2021 regarding petition number EN2607 requesting the introduction of a Bill to legislate for measures relating to the gender pay gap.

The Australian Government strongly believes that the best way to address the gender pay gap is through the government, business and the community all taking action on this issue. In particular, the Government is focused on ensuring the gains made by women in recent years, including a record-low gender pay gap of 13.4 per cent in November 2020, are not reversed by the economic and social effects of COVID-19.

The Government is taking action to address the issue of the gender pay gap and to support families through:

a range of measures in the 2018 and 2020 Women's Economic Security Statements that support women's workforce participation and close the gender pay gap;

the 2021-22 Women's Budget Statement, which provides a $3.4 billion investment towards women's safety, economic security, health and wellbeing; and

ensuring families dealing with the trauma of stillbirth, premature birth or the death of their child during unpaid parental leave are able to take the unpaid parental leave they had planned to take.

The Government committed a range of measures in the 2018 and 2020 Women's Economic Security Statements to support women's workforce participation and close the gender pay gap. The Statements include a wide range of measures to create new jobs, support more women into work, expand opportunities for business and build the skills Australia needs to support accelerated economic recovery and growth.

The2021-22 Women's Budget Statement provides a $3.4 billion investment towards women's safety, economic security, health and wellbeing. The Government is further investing in new arid expanded initiatives to provide practical and effective support to increase women's workforce participation, reduce barriers to women working in the paid workforce and assist women to build a financially secure future.

Under the National Employment Standards of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act), parental leave and related entitlements provide minimum leave entitlements for all employees covered by the national system.

In November 2020, the Fair Work Amendment (Improving Unpaid Parental Leave for Parents of Stillborn Babies and Other Measures) Act 2020 was passed to ensure that families dealing with the trauma of stillbirth, premature birth or the death of their child during unpaid parental leave are able to take the unpaid parental leave they had planned to take without having to worry about returning to work before they are ready to do so.

The Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and children. In December 2018, the Coalition passed historic legislation enshrining five days' unpaid family and domestic violence leave in the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards. This followed the independent Fair Work Commission's decision to grant five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave to employees covered by a modern award.

The Fair Work Commission is reviewing the family and domestic violence leave clause in modern awards. Further consideration of the issue of paid leave will be appropriately informed by the Commission's consideration of the issue. Employers of course remain free to provide entitlements that suit their workplaces, and the Government commends initiatives of large employers in providing paid domestic violence leave.

The Fair Work Act is the legislation governing the employee and employer relationship in Australia and includes the objective of equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value as part of the principles relating to the 'safety net' of minimum wages and conditions. The Fair Work Act also includes a specific provision for the making of Equal Remuneration Orders to ensure that, for employees to whom the order will apply, there will be equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency continues to promote gender pay equity in organisations through a range of mechanisms, including: annual gender reporting; resources such as conducting a gender pay gap audit and developing a gender pay equity strategy; and through awareness campaigns and partnerships programs including the Pay Equity Ambassador network.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash

COVID-19: Vaccination

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning petition number EN2609.

Before a prescription medicine (including a COVID-19 vaccine) can be legally supplied in Australia, the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) rigorously assesses the safety, quality and effectiveness to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks.

The TGA prepares and publishes Australian Public Assessment Reports (AusPARs) for prescription medicines (including vaccines) that provide information about the evaluation of a medicine and the considerations that led the TGA to approve, or not approve, an application and subsequent use of that medicine or vaccine. AusPARs will be published for COVID-19 vaccines evaluated by the TGA. Further information is available on the TGA's website at: www.tga.gov.au/ws-auspar-index.

After product registration, the TGA has an important role in batch-release assessment and post-market surveillance to ensure the ongoing safety of the vaccine. Vaccines continue to be tested after their approval for use via additional clinical trials, surveillance and monitoring for adverse events. Further information is available at: www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand (THANZ) are closely monitoring local and international data on the very rare and newly identified condition associated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) or vaccine induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

TTS is a rare condition with a different mechanism to most other causes of thrombosis and/or thrombocytopenia. Among case reports, there are no known markers for increased risk for TTS.

TTS is different from other blood clotting conditions and is triggered by the immune system's response to the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. It results in both thrombosis and low platelet levels. In the majority of cases, pathological antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4), a protein released from platelets, are detected. Studies are ongoing to better understand the exact mechanism of TTS. TTS has been reported in patients who have received the AstraZeneca and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines (the latter is not used in Australia).

At this time, you are not able to choose which vaccine you receive. The ATAGI has recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for most of the adult population 50 years and older, including:

people with a past history of venous thromboembolism in typical sites, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

people with a predisposition to form blood clots, such as those with Factor V Leiden, or other non-immune thrombophilic disorders

people with a family history of clots or clotting conditions

people currently receiving anticoagulant medications

people with a history of ischaemic heart disease or cerebrovascular accident

people with a current or past history of thrombocytopenia.

Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for:

people aged under 50 years, since the risk of TTS, albeit very low, appears to be higher in younger adults.

Pfizer is also recommended for people aged 16 years and above with:

a past history of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)

a past history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

a past history of idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal and splenic) venous thrombosis

anti-phospholipid syndrome with thrombosis

a history of certain reactions to the AstraZeneca vaccine, for example:

anaphylaxis to a previous dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or to an ingredient of the vaccine

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia occurring after the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine

other serious adverse events attributed to the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

ATAGI considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in people 50 years and over outweigh the risks, if they do not have any of the conditions listed above.

TTS can now be treated very effectively. THANZ have developed guidance on identification and treatment of TTS, which is available on their website at: www.thanz.org.au/documents/item/590.

Getting vaccinated is voluntary. Once everyone under 50 years old has been offered two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, any remaining doses will be made available to those who have not yet been vaccinated. However, this may not happen until much later in the year. The Government encourages everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Migration

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 February 2021 enclosing Petition PN0494 concerning the impacts of migration on Australia's economy and infrastructure. I apologise for the delay in responding.

Over the past 40 years , Australia has enjoyed strong economic performance, underpinned by a growing population. This economic success has greatly enhanced our quality of life. Average incomes have doubled in real terms since 1975, with this increased wealth shared broadly across the community. As a result, Australian families enjoy access to a well-functioning health system, good schools, a strong social safety net and options for recreation and leisure.

Population growth has two main components: natural increase; and net overseas migration (NOM). Since the year ending June 2006, NOM has been a key driver of Australia's population growth, labour force participation rates and GDP.

COVID-19 has had significant impacts on migration to Australia. NOM has been affected by international travel restrictions and weaker labour markets domestically and globally. Treasury forecasts in the 2021-22 Budget indicate that NOM will move to a net outflow of -97,000 by the end of 2020-21. This will be the first time that NOM has been a net outflow since 1946.

We know that carefully targeted migration will be a key component of Australia's economic recovery. The 2021-22 Migration Program will retain the existing policy settings put in place for the 2020-21 program year to build on Australia's success in managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and support Australia's continued economic recovery and drive positive social cohesion outcomes.

A well planned and managed immigration system contributes to the skills and capability of Australia's workforce; facilitates the transfer of knowledge and expertise to boost business and entrepreneurship; supports sustainable population planning; bolsters economic growth; and is key to securing social cohesion outcomes.

Well-targeted migration supports growth in productivity, raises workforce participation, and expands consumption possibilities. Migration can benefit consumers and businesses in our cities by addressing skills shortages and increasing competition in the labour market. For our regions, migration can be an opportunity to create new businesses and jobs, boost innovation, and drive greater economies of scale.

The Australian Government, however, acknowledges the pressures that increased population can put on infrastructure and is committed to maximising the economic and social outcomes of immigration, particularly skilled migration, while also considering the long-term population impacts on state and territory planning and infrastructure.

To this end, in 2019, the Government made a series of changes to address the issue of sustainable population growth across Australia, including the establishment of the Centre for Population within the Department of Treasury, in recognition of the need for a single point of analysis to assess, monitor and project changes to Australia's population. These initiatives are further supported by the publication of Australia's first Population Statement in December 2020, which can be accessed on the Centre for Population's website at: https://population.gov.au/publications/publications-population-statement.html.

Thank you for bringing Petition PN0494 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

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

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 12 May 2021 regarding petition number PN0504 requesting changes to certain Statements of Principles (SOPs) developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA).

Under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), the question of whether or not a medical condition can be found to have been caused by military service is determined on the basis of SOPs. These are created by an independent statutory authority, the RMA, on the basis of sound medical­scientific evidence. Where SOPs have been determined by the RMA in respect of a relevant condition, at least one factor in the SOP must be met and related to service in order for a claim for the condition to be accepted.

The Government cannot direct the RMA to include specific factors in the SOPs and it would be inappropriate to do so, given the independence of the RMA and the role of the SOP system which is to ensure that SOP factors are based on, and claims are assessed according to, sound medical-scientific evidence on the causation of conditions. For your information, there are currently 15 conditions for which SOPs exist that include factors relating to exposure to dioxin-contaminated herbicides.

The established and legislated process for seeking an amendment to the SOPs is to request the RMA to conduct an investigation into the condition. Veterans are able to directly approach the RMA to request an investigation into the conditions that are the subject of this petition. The RMA is required under the legislation to consider such a request and provide reasons for their decisions. A request for an investigation or review of existing SOPs can be lodged online on the RMA's website at: www.rma.gov.au.

Should an investigation establish, on the sound medical-scientific evidence, that particular exposures are causal factors in the development of a medical condition, then the factor will be included in the relevant SOP for the condition by the RMA.

Thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to my attention. I would encourage the petitioners to avail themselves of this review process so that the RMA is able to consider the substance of and evidence relating to the conditions which are the subject of petition number PN0504.

The RMA can be contacted by email at info@rma.gov.au, by telephone on (07) 3815 9404 or VIA online feedback form at: www.rma.gov.au/contact us.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Mr Chester

Foreign Investment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for the Standing Committee on Petitions' correspondence concerning Petition EN111 - to halt foreign ownership of land.

Foreign investment drives economic growth, creates skilled jobs, improves access to overseas markets and enhances productivity. Without foreign investment, production, employment and income would all be lower.

At the same time, the Australian Government recognises community concerns about foreign ownership of certain Australian assets, including land. The foreign investment review :framework allows the Government to consider these concerns when assessing Australia's national interest while ensuring Australia remains an attractive place to invest. If it is determined that a proposal is contrary to the national interest, it will not be approved or conditions will be applied to safeguard the national interest.

In relation to residential land, the Government's policy is to channel foreign investment into new dwellings as this increases the total dwelling stock in which Australians can live as well as creating additional jobs in the construction industry and supporting economic growth. Non-resident foreign persons are generally prohibited from purchasing established dwellings in Australia.

In relation to agricultural land, the Government has acted to improve scrutiny and transparency around foreign ownership of agricultural land and agribusinesses. The Government has also clarified that foreign investors can only acquire agricultural land where there has been an open and transparent sale process, thereby ensuring Australians have an opportunity to participate in the sale process.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Prime Minister

Dear Chair

I refer to your emails of 8 April 2020 and 15 September 2020 to the former Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Christian Porter MP, regarding petition number EN1222. This petition requests that the House put forward a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP.

I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this petition to the attention of the former Attorney-General.

The Government will not be moving a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Thank you for raising this matter with the former Attorney-General.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

Commonwealth Bank

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2111 with a total of eight signatures - inquiry into ASIC's alleged blatant contempt for the law. Your correspondence has been referred to me as I have responsibility for this matter.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent statutory authority responsible for the administration of the Corporations Act 2001 and related legislation. Under its governing statute, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, I am specifically precluded from giving the Australian Securities Investment Commission a direction about its policies or priorities in relation to a specific case. One of the reasons that the Australian Securities Investment Commission was established as an independent body was to ensure that its decisions and actions are, and are seen to be, independent of the political process.

I will refer your correspondence to ASIC for their consideration.

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: Vaccination

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, referring Petition EN2272, which calls for protecting the right of employees to refuse· an employer's direction to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Australian Government is committed to providing all Australians with access to free, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. The Government position is that vaccination, while strongly encouraged, is voluntary, and the Commonwealth will not be legislating to require vaccination in the workplace. In line with this, the existing legal framework around workplace vaccination will continue to apply.

Under this framework, a worker may be required to be vaccinated where:

a public health order requiring vaccination is in place

a worker's contract or enterprise agreement allows it

an employer makes a lawful and reasonable direction to do so.

Public health is primarily a state and territory responsibility and jurisdictions may issue public health orders requiring vaccination for workers in certain high-risk workplaces. Employers and workers must comply with public health orders, and sanctions may apply for non-compliance. States and territories have previously issued public health orders requiring influenza vaccinations for workers and other people in aged care facilities in the interests of protecting vulnerable Australians. National Cabinet has recently endorsed expert medical advice to require vaccination for workers in residential aged care and quarantine facilities as an essential part of reducing the risk of transmission and spread of COVID-19 into the community. These will be given effect through state and territory public health orders.

Absent a public health order, vaccination can be required in the workplace where it is provided for under an enterprise agreement or contract. Such arrangements are uncommon, however, and in most circumstances an employer may only direct an employee to be vaccinated where this direction is considered lawful and reasonable.

A direction by an employer will only be lawful where it does not contravene relevant laws, including anti-discrimination legislation. Discrimination laws may be relevant if a person is unable to comply with a vaccine requirement due to an underlying disability or medical condition. Employers should ensure that any requirements to vaccinate are consistent with discrimination law requirements before introducing a policy that requires employees to be vaccinated.

Whether an employer's direction will be reasonable must be assessed on a case by case basis. It will depend on the particular circumstances of a person's employment, the risks of contracting the disease, whether other control measures, such as the wearing of masks, may be an appropriate way of managing risks, and the particular circumstances in which the direction is given.

As a general rule, a worker must comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any lawful and reasonable instruction that is given by a business to an employee that concerns their employment. Where an employee refuses to comply with a lawful and reasonable direction, an employer will need to consider options for managing the employee, which may range from allocating alternative duties at one end of the spectrum, to termination at the other end.

Workplace vaccine guidance published by Safe Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman indicates that the overwhelming majority of employers should assume they cannot require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash

Media

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 12 May 2021 concerning Petition EN2454 , which calls for the removal of news outlets from social media platforms and to regulate content.

The Australian 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 .

The Government is committed to promoting the rule of law and the rights and protections we enjoy as a democratic nation. Of these, our right to free speech and free expression is one of the most highly valued and fiercely protected. The ability of citizens to speak freely and openly is the hallmark of a robust democracy.

However, there has never been an absolute right to free speech in Australia. Free speech is balanced against other considerations, such as whether speech is harmful, threatening, offensive or defamatory. This includes disinformation and misinformation that harmfully misleads the Australian public on matters of public importance.

When it comes to issues such as health and safety, including the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that the Australian community seek information from legitimate and authoritative sources.

In response to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Digital Platforms Inquiry in 2019, the Government tasked the Australian Communications and Media Authority to oversee the development and implementation of a voluntary code to address disinformation and misinformation on digital platforms.

The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) developed the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation (Code) on behalf of the Australian digital industry and released the Code on 22 February 2021. The Code has been adopted by Twitter, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok, Adobe and Apple, with other digital platforms also encouraged to sign up. Further information on the Code is available on the DIGI website, digi.org.au/disinformation-code/.

Major digital platforms sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have complaints mechanisms for users to raise concerns about content and accounts that spread disinformation and misinformation. If users have concerns about particular content or accounts, they can report them to the platform for review.

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

Media

Thank you for your correspondence of 13 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition EN2473. This Petition requests amendments to the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code (the Code) to provide free consumer access to digital news media publications that receive government assistance. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response. I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

The News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code came into force on 2 March 2021.

The Code will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate, thereby helping to sustain public interest journalism in Australia. The Code will do this by:

encouraging the parties to undertake commercial negotiations outside the Code. The Australian Government welcomes the deals that have been struck between digital platforms and news businesses and looks forward to more such deals being reached in the future;

enabling digital platforms to publish standard offers, which provide smaller news businesses with an efficient pathway to finalising agreements with digital platforms;

establishing a negotiation framework under the Code that provides for both parties to bargain and undertake mediation in good faith to reach binding agreements;

ensuring that an independent arbiter can determine the level of remuneration to be paid to news businesses under a fair and balanced arbitration model, should the parties be unable to reach agreement; and

setting clear and workable minimum standards for digital platforms including requiring 14 days' advance notice of major, planned algorithm changes that impact news businesses. This will not allow news businesses to influence search results.

To be bound by the Code, news businesses must register with the Australian Communications and Media Authority while digital platforms must be designated by the Government.

A review of the Code will commence within one year of it coming into force.

Importantly, Australians already have free access to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). The Government is committed to maintaining the health and vibrancy of the ABC and the SBS. The provision of over $4 billion over the three years from 2019-20 represents a substantial investment of public funds in our national broadcasters, and will assist the ABC and SBS in the provision of television, radio and digital media services in line with their Charters.

Our investment in the ABC is an important underpinning of media diversity and represents a significant contribution to civic journalism in Australia. The ABC's funding includes $43.7 million over the three years for the ABC to continue the Enhanced News measure, which supports local news and current affairs, including regional newsrooms and specialist investigative journalists.

The SBS funding allows it to continue to fulfil its Charter, providing multilingual and multicultural broadcasting and digital media services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians, reflecting Australia's multicultural society.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Extradition Law

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 13 May 2021 in which you referred petition number EN2499 to me as the Minister responsible for Australia's extradition system.

The petition requests that the House of Representatives:

a) amend the Extradition Act 1988 so as to confine its application to "criminals evading justice by crossing borders", and

b) require Australian citizens to be tried in Australia for allegations of criminal conduct which are said to have occurred in Australia.

Having considered these issues, I do not support its requests. As the Assistant Minister noted in her response to petition EN2000, the Australian Government maintains that the current extradition system appropriately balances Australia's international crime cooperation arrangements and human rights safeguards.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-Genera; Senator Cash

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 24 May 2021 on behalf of the signatories of petition EN2511, concerning the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s editorial standards.

I have certainly been left in no doubt that the petitioners regard the ABC's editorial output as lacking in journalistic impartiality and balance. It is very important that the broadcaster's news and current affairs coverage meets the standards which Parliament, on behalf of all Australians, requires of it.

Even though the Morrison Government provides an overall level of funding to the ABC, the broadcaster has content and editorial independence.

Parliament has guaranteed this independence so the broadcaster's decisions are free from political interference.

Under this arrangement, the manner in which the ABC presents its programming is a matter for the ABC Board and executive.

Although editorially independent, the ABC Board is required to develop a Code of Practice relating to programming matters and to lodge this code with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

In addition, the broadcaster is accountable to the Parliament through annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits, and appearances before Parliamentary Committees.

I continue to maintain regular contact with the ABC Board to encourage them to maintain the broadcaster's adherence to its Charter, so it can provide useful and informative services.

I encourage concerned members of the public to actively engage with the ABC. Direct contact is the best way to guarantee that the ABC is made aware of the public's concerns and is given the opportunity to respond.

Thank you for bringing this petition 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

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 24 May 2021, concerning petition number EN2530, concerning the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s editorial standards.

I have certainly been left in no doubt that the petitioners regard the ABC's editorial output as lacking in journalistic impartiality and balance. It is very important that the broadcaster's news and current affairs coverage meets the standards which Parliament, on behalf of all Australians, requires of it.

Even though the Morrison Government provides an overall level of funding to the ABC, the broadcaster has content and editorial independence.

Parliament has guaranteed this independence so the broadcaster's decisions are free from political interference.

Under this arrangement, the manner in which the ABC presents its programming is a matter for the ABC Board and executive.

Although editorially independent, the ABC Board is required to develop a Code of Practice relating to programming matters and to lodge this code with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

In addition, the broadcaster is accountable to the Parliament through annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits, and appearances before Parliamentary Committees.

I continue to maintain regular contact with the ABC Board to encourage them to maintain the broadcaster's adherence to its Charter, so it can provide useful and informative services.

I encourage concerned members of the public to actively engage with the ABC. Direct contact is the best way to guarantee that the ABC is made aware of the public's concerns and is given the opportunity to respond.

Thank you for bringing this petition 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

COVID-19

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 June 2021 enclosing Petition EN2535 concerning an exemption for parents of Australians and permanent residents.

The Australian Government has previously responded to Petition EN1860 – Inclusion of Parents as "Immediate" family members for travel exemption, Petition EN2311 - Include parents as immediate family members for travel exemption and Petition EN2543 - Travel exemption for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents, and Petition EN2611 - Allow international travel to meet parents overseas, which outlines the Government's position on including parents as an automatic exemption category from the travel restrictions for travel to Australia, and including 'travel to visit parents' as an exemption category for those Australians seeking to depart Australia.

It must also be noted that on 2 July 2021, the National Cabinet agreed to temporarily reduce the current international passenger arrival caps to manage the pressure on quarantine facilities.

As such, it is imperative that international travel to and from Australia is limited to exceptional circumstances only, as per the current exemption categories.

The Government is committed to a multicultural Australia and acknowledges the significant social , cultural and economic contribution made by those who chose to call Australia home.

We acknowledge that this is a challenging and difficult time for Australians who are separated from their loved ones overseas. However, the travel restrictions are in place to protect the broader Australian community from the health risks posed by discretionary international travel.

The Government is committed to regularly review Australia's travel restrictions policy as national and global circumstances in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, and continues to take a strong and decisive approach in responding to COVID-19, informed by the latest health advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

In line with this commitment, on 2 July 2021, the National Cabinet also agreed to formulate a National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response which outlines Australia's pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As outlined in this plan, easing travel restrictions and opening of international borders will be a phased approach that will be triggered by expert advice.

Whilst the travel restrictions remain in effect, individuals who are not automatically exempt from the travel restrictions, either for travel to Australia or depart, but have a compelling reason to travel, can submit a travel exemption request for an assessment against the exemption categories outlined on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions.

Further information on travel exemptions is available on the Department's website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2535 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 enclosing Petition EN2556 concerning easing of Australia's travel restrictions for international students to travel to Australia. Your correspondence was referred to me as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As you know, Australia's current travel restriction policy has played a key foundational role underpinning management of COVID-19's impact on public health in 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.

The Australian Government's response to Petition EN2217 - Exempt International Students, outlines the circumstances that would generally meet the criteria for the grant of an individual exemption for international students seeking to travel to Australia while the travel restrictions are in place.

International students who believe they have a compelling reason for travel to Australia may submit a travel exemption request for an assessment by the Department of Home Affairs against these exemption categories.

It must also be noted that at the present time, there is no exception to Australia's travel restrictions policy settings as a result of an individual's vaccination status or the vaccination programs which are becoming available in several jurisdictions overseas.

The Government regularly reviews Australia's travel restrictions policy as national and global circumstances in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, and is guided by the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee in relation to easing restrictions on international travel.

Implementing any changes to the current policy settings for travel restrictions and including vaccinated international students as an exempt category will be a process informed by expert health advice.

You will no doubt be aware that Australia's Framework for National Reopening makes clear that the Government supports the return of international students when conditions allow.

Protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home in a COVID-safe manner 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 EN2556 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Complementary Medicines

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 referring a copy of petition EN2559 calling for the Schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (the Agvet Code) to be amended to classify naturopathic medicines and therapies for animal as low-risk veterinary products.

The Agvet Code is focussed on products with a chemical or biological component and that are manufactured, intended or represented as having an effect on an animal or plant. The Agvet Code does not regulate physical therapies or devices, to the extent the device has no chemical or biologically active component.

For products with a chemical and biological component and for preventing or treating a disease or condition in an animal, the Agvet Code does not distinguish between synthetic pharmaceutical medicines and complementary animal health products (CAHPs) such as herbal, nutraceutical and homeopathic remedies.

Before agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products can be legally manufactured, imported, supplied, sold or used in Australia, they must be assessed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The assessment process involves a rigorous scientific evaluation of the safety, efficacy and trade risks posed by an agvet chemical product to protect the health and safety of people, animals, the environment and trade. The data and information needed to support a product's assessment varies according to the nature of the product, the claims made by the product and the intended use.

To protect animal health and manage the risks to Australia's trade from chemical residues in animal products, it is important that all veterinary medicines (pharmaceutical or CAHPs) are held to the same standards. A product that is unsafe or ineffective may be harmful to the health and welfare of animals and result in unnecessary suffering or death. Unlike humans, animals cannot make conscious decisions on their treatment, heightening the need to have appropriate regulatory oversight for these products.

The Australian regulatory framework for agvet chemical products includes a range of registration pathways for products of low regulatory concern that involve reduced data requirements, costs, and approval time compared to conventional veterinary products.

Some pathways establish standardised risk management approaches to ensure products meet the same high standard as products subject to bespoke assessment. The standards can set specific parameters as well as prescribed conditions that the product must meet. The APVMA assessment of products under these low regulatory concern pathways focuses purely on whether the product complies with the standard. The APVMA has established standards for joint health products for dogs and horses.

Another pathway allows products conforming to a particular registration 'model' to be registered more rapidly as the APVMA is already satisfied that they comply with the statutory criteria for registration (safety, efficacy and trade criteria). A registration model is currently available for equine electrolyte products. While the APVMA may initiate a registration model, most registration models are proposed by industry groups. The APVMA assess the model, and the information supporting it, in much the same way that it assesses an application for registration.

For the reasons highlighted above, the Australian Government considers that an amendment of the Agvet Code to classify alternative naturopathic medicines and therapies for animals as low-risk veterinary products is not warranted. However, the government recognises that there are opportunities for targeted improvements in specific regulatory areas.

You may be aware that an independent panel of experts has recently completed a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework. The review examined the agvet chemicals regulatory framework's aims, structure, and operation, and made recommendations to ensure it is contemporary, fit for purpose and reduces unnecessary red tape. I am currently considering the final review report. The report will be published in due course.

Thank you again for referring this petition to me.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, Mr Littleproud

Veterans

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021 concerning Petition EN2562 - the nature of the evidence used by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) to determine factors for the causes of diseases or injuries in the Statements of Principles (SOPs) for them.

The SOP system was created in 1994 precisely to avoid non-experts such as tribunals making uninformed judgements about complex medical scientific evidence. The system deliberately limits acceptable claims via the factors in the SOPs to those where the totality of sound medical scientific evidence (SMSE) suggests a causal link between the factor and the condition. The claimant merely has to establish the facts of service consistent with the cause outlined in the SOP factors.

The Productivity Commission in its review of veterans' compensation, A Better Way to Support Veterans, released 27 June 2019, endorsed the SOP system as 'robust and effective' and concluded that:

'it promotes consistency, predictability and transparency and draws a clear line between accepted and non-accepted conditions, based on sound medical scientific evidence [p.349].

Having considered the system, the Commission recommended that it be extended to include claims under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA).

The petition as presented requests the Parliament to replace the requirement for the RMA to act only on SMSE with a requirement to accept expert medical evidence that would otherwise be admissible in a court of law under the Evidence Act 1995.

The SMSE for the causes of a particular medical condition is limited to information that, 'meets the applicable criteria for assessing causation currently applied in the field of epidemiology'. This means the RMA currently has regard to standard epidemiological criteria to assess causation. A good example is the criteria under the Bradford Hill formulation, which are used in assessing the relationship between an exposure and the development of a condition. They include matters such as the strength of an association, its biological plausibility and the dose-response relationship. All these criteria involve inherent qualitative judgements and always require consideration of whether any suggested relationship is the result of chance, bias or confounding.

The RMA considers these matters relying on studies in peer reviewed journals. Those studies range from systematic reviews of previous research and studies involving a cohort of subjects over a long period down to individual case reports. The RMA considers and evaluates the effect of the entirety of these studies.

The petitioners complain that the process permits the RMA too much discretion. They suggest that if the requirement for SMSE was removed and the RMA was required to act on evidence that might be acceptable under the Evidence Act 1995 (EA) in curial proceedings, it would make the RMA's processes more consistent with "natural justice".

Section 79 of the EA permits a court to accept the opinion of a person who has specialised knowledge based on the person's training, study or experience, if that opinion is wholly or substantially based on that knowledge. The adoption of that requirement would require the RMA to accept an opinion of a medical specialist given without supporting medical-scientific evidence, that a particular exposure is a cause of a relevant medical condition. Such an opinion does not meet the test for SMSE, is of less probative value in considering the causes of medical conditions than the SMSE, and the effect of the current legislation is that the RMA need not have regard to it.

The proposed change has the potential to return the system to the pre-1994 situation of duelling medical experts. The SOP system was introduced to avoid that approach by placing a focus on the current medical-scientific evidence concerning the particular medical condition under consideration.

Further, the proposed change would require the RMA before accepting an opinion to consider legal questions that are frequently raised in the courts, such as whether the expert has a relevant expertise and whether an opinion expressed is wholly or substantially based on their specialised knowledge. Currently, any person including a qualified expert, can submit an opinion with supporting SMSE and the RMA is obliged to consider it.

The existing system is transparent with the reasoning of the RMA being available to interested parties, and there is ample opportunity in the existing legislation for SOPs to be reviewed on sound grounds.

It should be noted that the RMA's reasoning in establishing the SOP factors is available to interested parties. The Reference Lists setting out the material relied on by the RMA in determining a SOP are available at www.rma.gov.au. As well, section 1961 of the VEA provides a statutory right for any veteran, member or ex-service organisation to have reasonable access to any document containing information considered by the Authority for the purposes of an investigation. This includes briefing papers prepared by the medical researchers who assist the RMA.

The SOPs are required to be regularly reviewed as they are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003, and new SOPs for each condition are determined every seven to nine years lest they lapse under the sunsetting provisions. Section 196E of the VEA enables any veteran, member or ex-service organisation to request a review of a SOP and to insert a new factor or vary an existing one. If there is no SMSE supporting such a change the RMA can refuse to investigate it.

The requirement for the SOPs to be based on the SMSE is to the overall benefit of veterans and members of the Defence forces. It provides an objective system based on the best evidence related to the cause of particular diseases or injuries.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Mr Chester

Government Bonds

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 May 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition (EN2582) - Government bonds. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The Investor Information Statement for Exchange-traded Treasury Bonds on the website of the ASX is clear that the price of eTBs will vary over time in response to a variety of influences, and that prospective investors should consider any risks that could affect the performance of eTBs before deciding to invest. The Investor Information Statement advises that prospective investors should contact a licensed financial adviser or other professional adviser to assist them with understanding the many risks involved in investing in eTBs.

Regarding the specific risk of population growth, it should be noted that the recent 2021 Intergenerational Report estimated that population growth through targeted, skills-focused migration supports economic growth and improves Australia's budget position by increasing the working-age population and slowing the transition to an older population.

A link to the Investor Information Statement for Exchange-traded Treasury Bonds can be found here:

www.asx.com.au/documents/products/AGB_Investor_Information_Statement_Exchange-traded_Treasury_Bonds.pdf

Thank you once again for your correspondence. I trust this information will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

From the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Interactive Gambling Act

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter dated 24 May 2021 concerning Petition EN2592 requesting amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) to allow online poker providers to offer their services in Australia.

Since its inception in 2001, the IGA has made it an offence to provide or advertise prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia. Prohibited services include online casino-style games of chance or mixed skill and chance, such as online poker, which are played for money or anything else of value. On 13 September 2017, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017 came into effect and strengthened the enforcement of the IGA.

The potential benefits and risks of legalising online poker need to be considered before any changes are made to the IGA. Legalising online poker would enable Australians to play with operators licensed and regulated in Australia, instead of playing with offshore operators which may provide limited harm minimisation and consumer protections. Other potential benefits include business opportunities for domestic licensees, employment growth, and revenue opportunities through licensing and taxation.

There are legitimate concerns, however, that legalising the provision of online poker services may expand the overall participation of gambling in Australia. In 2018-19, total gambling expenditure reached $25 billion in Australia. This is equal to $1,276 in losses per Australian adult, which is the highest per capita in the world. Proper harm minimisation tools need to be in place in order to limit any increase in problem and at­ risk gambling with the introduction of a new gambling service.

The Government is well advanced in establishing the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering (National Framework). The National Framework consists of 10 consumer protection measures, including new requirements for operators to offer pre-commitment facilities to customers to limit gambling spend. The objective of the National Framework is to minimise the risk of gambling harm to Australian consumers.

Six of the 10 measures have been implemented. The remaining elements will be rolled out over the next 12 months, subject to further trialling and testing of some measures. The National Self-Exclusion Register is a key element of the Framework and will allow individuals to self-bar themselves from online wagering services through a single transaction. On 23 June 2021, the Australian Communications and Media Authority announced the appointment of Engine Australia to deliver the register. The service is expected to be operational from mid-2022, with trials commencing in late 2021.

Continued progress towards strengthening Australia's legislative framework is essential to minimising harm from problem gambling. The full implementation of the National Framework will provide an opportunity for Government to assess the regulatory environment and consider whether online poker services can be permitted in Australia.

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

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

I refer to your correspondence of 24 May 2021 to the Federal Member for Riverina, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, enclosing Petition EN2611 concerning allowing international travel to meet parents. Your correspondence was referred to me as the Minister for Home Affairs, as the matter raised falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

As you know, Australia's current travel restriction policy has played a key foundational role underpinning management of COVID-19's impact on public health in Australia .

Until further notice, there is a prohibition on all foreign nationals seeking to travel to Australia and Australian citizens and permanent residents from departing 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 Australian Government acknowledges this is a challenging and difficult time for Australians, particularly for those who are separated from their loved ones overseas. However, these measures are in place to protect Australians from the potential health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers.

You can be assured that the Government regularly reviews Australia's travel restrictions policy as national and global circumstances in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, and continues to take a strong and decisive approach in responding to COVID-19, informed by the latest health advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

The Government's response to Petition EN1860 - Inclusion of Parents as "Immediate" family members for travel exemption, Petition EN2311 - Include parents as immediate family members for travel exemption and Petition EN2543 - Travel exemption for parents of Australian citizens and Permanent residents, outlines that no consideration is being given to include parents as an automatic exemption category from the travel restrictions for travel to Australia .

Currently, no consideration is also being given to include 'travel to visit parents' as an exemption category for those Australians seeking to depart Australia.

However, individuals who are not automatically exempt from the travel restrictions, either for travel to Australia or depart, but have a compelling reason to travel, can submit a travel exemption request for an assessment against the exemption categories outlined on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel­restrictions.

Implementing any changes to the current policy settings for travel restrictions and including any additional exemption categories will be a process informed by expert health advice.

Protecting the health of Australians and bringing Australians home in a COVID-safe manner 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 EN2611 to the Government's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Health Care

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning Petition EN2616 to remove the requirement for international medical graduates (IMG) who wish to work in general practice to complete a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) in addition to the Australian Medical Council's (AMC) examinations.

In Australia, the medical profession is regulated by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA), which includes the assessment of IMGs to practice. The MBA is supported in its role by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Policy oversight for the MBA and Ahpra is provided by all Australian Health Ministers under the National Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as enacted in each state and territory. This oversight allows Ministers to ensure that the level of regulation is appropriate and commensurate to risks presented to public safety by medical practitioners.

The AMC is responsible for the assessment of IMGs against the minimum competencies of Australian trained medical graduates. To assess IMGs, the AMC has implemented a two-part examination, which includes a multiple choice and practical component designed to test the skills, knowledge and capability of an IMG at the level of a recent Australian medical graduate.

The IMGs who pass these exams are expected to complete a minimum of 47 weeks full time supervised practice equivalent to the internships completed by Australian trained medical graduates. The IMGs who wish to take up a position in a general practice setting, rather than a hospital setting, must complete a PESCI.

The PESCI assesses an IMG against the requirements of a specific position in a general practice setting and considers factors outside of the skills, knowledge and capabilities assessed by the AMC examinations. While hospitals have the infrastructure to provide IMGs with extensive supervision and support, IMGs working in general practice under supervision are still required to make independent decisions about patient care.

The PESCI addresses this risk by ensuring the IMGs are appropriately skilled and experienced to meet the needs of the community and ensures that the support available in the general practice is sufficient. The PESCI is especially relevant in rural and remote settings. While the PESCI might seem burdensome for some general practices and IMGs, the MBA must be satisfied the IMG does not pose a risk to patient safety.

The AMC has approved the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to conduct the PESCI. As the providers of specialist medical training in the field of general practice, ACRRM and the RACGP are best placed to assess the requirements for IMGs and general practices.

If an IMG has received an unsuccessful result from completion of a PESCI, in the first instance they should contact their PESCI provider or panel to seek information about their result. The MBA requires that ACRRM, RACGP and AMC have appeals and complaints mechanisms in place to address the concerns of any party affected by their decisions.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

JobKeeper Payment

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 21 June 2021, originally directed to the Treasurer, concerning Petition (EN2617) - JobKeeper repayments. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.

The JobKeeper Payment (JobKeeper) was designed as a national scheme, to apply consistently across a broad range of Australian businesses and industry sectors. As such, the scheme was not intended to apply individual criteria for the Payment to any specific sector or group of Australian businesses.

JobKeeper 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 supported over one million businesses providing them the certainty and support they needed to continue trading and to retain workers.

JobKeeper initially used a prospective turnover decline 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. The prospective turnover test was a key feature of JobKeeper that provided confidence at a time when businesses were facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty.

In the JobKeeper extension phase, eligibility was retested based on actual declines in turnover in the previous quarter.

JobKeeper payments were required to be passed through to eligible employees and there is no legal obligation for businesses who received JobKeeper to repay those amounts. However, a business may choose to voluntarily pay an amount which is equivalent to some or all of the JobKeeper payments that they received.

I note that a number of businesses have made voluntary repayments to the Australian Taxation Office.

Modifying the eligibility criteria for JobKeeper to have included a measure of the profitability of a business would have introduced significant complexity and delays in the program. 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 in which JobKeeper was implemented.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Sukkar

Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program

Dear Chair

Thank you for your representation of 24 June 2021 concerning the Petition Ministerial EN2620 - presented to the House by the Member for Mayo, Ms Rebekah Sharkie MP.

The final report of the Select Committee on Administration of Sports Grants was delivered in March 2021 and a Government response is under consideration.

I appreciate you bringing the petition to the Government's attention and trust the information above assists the House in responding .

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Sport, Senator Colbeck

Acts Interpretation Act 1901

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 21 June 2021 regarding petition EN2621 requesting that the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 ('Act') be amended to provide further guidance on the expression 'other material' for the purposes of section 25D of the Act.

Section 25D of the Act was inserted in 1984 to provide a standard provision when a statute requires the giving of written reasons for a decision. This provision was derived from similar provisions in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 and the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977. The requirement to provide a statement of reasons ensures that persons directly affected by a decision are given a full explanation as to why the decision was made. This enables them to make an informed decision about whether or not to exercise any appeal or review rights they may have.

While the statement of reasons is required to include findings on material questions of fact and the basis of those findings, section 25D does not limit the information to which the decision maker may refer or direct the decision maker to consult particular material. Section 25D does not define the term 'other material', nor do related provisions. This ensures that the decision maker has an unfettered discretion to determine what other material to take into account when making factual findings. This allows full consideration to be given to diverse material that may be relevant to the circumstances of the particular decision. Where such material is taken into account this must be included in the statement of reasons.

Any amendment to the Act to include a meaning or definition of the term 'other material' could restrict the discretion of decision makers when making factual findings and may limit the utility of their statements of reasons. Therefore, I consider it would not be appropriate to amend the Act as suggested.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Senator Cash

COVID-19: Vaccination

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning petition EN2626 opposing any potential legislation, regulation or rule which introduces the use of vaccine passports.

COVID-19 vaccination in Australia is not mandatory and individuals maintain the option to choose not to vaccinate. The Australian Government recognises that vaccination is not a substitute for ongoing public health interventions to manage COVID-19, but instead a supplement to other suppression measures that may be required in the future.

Australians are already able to provide proof of vaccination, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination, by accessing their immunisation history statement through Medicare online or via the Medicare app on their mobile phone.

The Government, through Services Australia, has developed a COVID-19 Digital Certificate, based on a person's immunisation history statement, as a tool so they may display their vaccination status on a smartphone. Use of this technology is voluntary and there are no requirements across Australia were an individual is required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to facilitate movement or entry.

The Government continues to consider how vaccination status may facilitate changes to quarantine and other public health measures.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: Vaccination

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning Petition EN2628 on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the Pfizer vaccine.

The safety of the Australian population has always been the Australian Government's highest priority. For this reason, decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccines have been, and continue to be, based on the expert medical advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

People eligible for vaccination now have been identified taking into account the current supply of vaccines and public health, medical and epidemiological evidence on who would be most at risk of contracting COVID-19, or of serious illness if they contracted COVID-19. This is why the rollout has been focused on people who live or work in high risk settings, people with underlying medical conditions and older people.

The Government has accepted the medical advice of the ATAGI that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is preferred for individuals under 60 years of age.

For those aged 60 years and above, the individual benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine are greater than in younger people. The risks of severe outcomes or death from COVID-19 increase with age, and are particularly high in older, unvaccinated individuals. At the same time, the AstraZeneca vaccine remains highly effective at preventing death and severe illness among people who have contracted COVID-19, and the incidence of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TIS) is very rare.

The benefit of preventing COVID-19 through AstraZeneca vaccination therefore outweighs the risk of TTS in this age group, and underpins its ongoing use for those aged 60 years and over.

The most effective way for people to protect themselves from the serious risks of COVID-19 is to be vaccinated, including with the AstraZeneca vaccine where recommended.

Before any COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in Australia it is subject to the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) stringent assessment and approval processes, after being tested in large clinical trials on thousands of people. The TGA rigorously assesses all vaccines for safety, quality and effectiveness. The approvals are subject to certain strict conditions, such as the requirement for sponsors to continue providing information to the TGA on longer term efficacy and safety from ongoing clinical trials and post-market assessment. Emerging clinical trial evidence, as well as real world data continues to be monitored by technical experts.

Results for Phase 3 clinical trials of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines have been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals (The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine). These trials, involving tens of thousands of participants, have shown that these two vaccines are effective in preventing people from developing symptomatic COVID-19 and protect individuals against severe disease.

The TGA' s vaccine approval process ensures that the vaccines are both safe, and provide protection against serious illness. As more information becomes available through expert medical advice and complete data sets from clinical trials, my Department will provide timely updates through its channels, including its own social media channels and those of partners and stakeholders. My Department is working in collaboration with Commonwealth, state and territory governments to identify and address any issues that arise, and provide accurate and timely information to Australians.

Australians can be confident that the safety of the Australian population has always been the Government' s highest priority. Following the advice of the health experts throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic has kept us safe; likewise, this latest update helps to balance risks and protect the whole community.

As supply of COVID-19 vaccines increases later this year, access to the Pfizer vaccine will be expanded to additional groups.

You can keep up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccine developments on my Department's website at: www.health.gov.au, and use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find out where and when you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at: covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.

You can also:

download the official Government 'Coronavirus Australia' app in the Apple app store or Google Play

join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

If you need to speak to someone, the National Coronavirus Helpline is available on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 21 June 2021 enclosing Petition EN2631 concerning overseas travel for people to see family and friends.

As you know, Australia's current travel restriction policy has played a key foundational role underpinning management of COVID-19's impact on public health in Australia.

The Australian Government acknowledges this is a challenging and difficult time for Australians who are separated from their loved ones. However, the travel restrictions are in place to protect Australians from the health risks posed to the broader Australian community by discretionary international travel.

You can be assured that the Government regularly reviews Australia's travel restrictions policy as national and global circumstances in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, and continues to take a strong and decisive approach in responding to COVID-19, informed by expert health advice.

In line with this approach, on 2 July 2021, the National Cabinet agreed to formulate a National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response which outlines Australia's pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic from its current pre-vaccination settings to post vaccination settings.

As outlined in this plan, easing travel restrictions and opening of international borders will be a phased approach triggered by expert advice.

It must, however, be noted that the National Cabinet also agreed to temporarily reduce the current international passenger arrival caps to manage the pressure on state and territory administered quarantine facilities.

As such, it is imperative that while the current restrictions remain in effect, international travel to and from Australia is limited for exceptional circumstances as per the current exemption categories, noting that Australian citizens and permanent residents do not need an exemption to travel back to Australia.

It is open to individuals who are not automatically exempt from the travel restrictions, but have a compelling reason to travel, to submit a travel exemption request for an assessment against the exemption categories outlined on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions.

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

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2631 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

COVID-19: Tourism Industry

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 to the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, concerning petition EN2642 calling on the Australian Government to lift the ban on cruise ships to enable the resumption of cruises in Australia. This matter has been referred to me as the Minister for Health and Aged Care.

I acknowledge the contribution the cruise industry makes to the Australian economy, and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industry and the broader tourism sector, particularly in regional areas.

The human biosecurity emergency period, including the cruise ship ban, is currently in place until 17 September 2021. These restrictions are based on the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and can be amended or removed at any time based on the AHPPC's expert medical advice.

Health considerations will continue to guide this process. Above all, the AHPPC will need to be assured that cruise ships can operate in a COVID-safe way and that the risk of outbreak events is acceptably low before increased cruise operations will be permitted in Australian waters. This will be consistent with the broader relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions both domestic and international.

The Government will continue to work closely with the cruise industry and with state and territory governments on the timing of a cruise restart. Australian Government agencies are also working to ensure that any return to cruise operations meets community expectations regarding the safety of guests, crew and the broader community.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your correspondence of 21 June 2021 enclosing Petition EN2644 concerning requesting the establishment of a travel bubble with Taiwan.

International border control measures have been integral to Australia's success in slowing the transmission of COVID-19. The welcome interest by other foreign partners in reconnecting international travel links with Australia also reflects confidence in our public health responses.

Ongoing consideration is being given to when and how to reopen Australia's borders to certain economies and/or cohorts of travellers. This includes exploring arrangements with interested parties, including Taiwan, when it is safe to do so. Currently, there are no imminent plans to announce a 'travel bubble' with Taiwan. Anyone wishing to travel will still need to comply with the respective immigration and quarantine policies in place at the time.

I recognise the economic benefits that more open international travel would bring, however, it must be gradual, and underpinned by the latest health advice and our domestic capacity to manage international arrivals.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN2644 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Andrews

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your email of 22 June 2021 regarding House of Representatives Petition EN2646 requesting that the House of Representatives abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which was presented to the House of Representatives on 21 June 2021.

The AAT is an independent statutory body established to provide an independent merits review process. The AAT is legislated to pursue the objective of providing a mechanism of merits review that is accessible, fair, just, economical, informal and quick. Merits review is an integral part of ensuring good governance, accountability and transparency in public administration and contributes more broadly to better administrative decision making. External merits review, undertaken by skilled independent members, facilitates tribunals to reach the correct or preferable decision.

The Government has no intention of abolishing the AAT.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash

COVID-19: International Travel

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning petition EN2651 support for the distressed Indian community and withdrawal of penalties associated with Indian travel ban.

Helping Australians return remains a key priority for the Australian Government. However, Australia must carefully balance the interests of Australians seeking to return while managing the risk to public health.

The temporary pause on flights from India was a difficult but necessary decision, based on medical expert advice, to protect Australian communities after India was identified as a high-risk country due to the significant increase in positive case numbers in managed quarantine facilities in returned travellers from India. It was not in any way motivated by racism.

The penalties provided for breach of Australia' s biosecurity laws reflect the significance of the risks posed by COVID-19 and the need to protect the integrity of our borders. Since the pause on flights from India commenced, there has been a sustained reduction in COVID-19 positive cases originating from India in Australia's quarantine system.

Australia's methodology for monitoring the status of quarantine capacity relies on assessment of the proportion of cases among international arrivals by jurisdiction and identification of potentially high-risk arrival countries. This methodology prompts consideration of adjustments to the number of international arrivals, including by country, to ensure the number of cases in quarantine settings in Australia or any jurisdiction is maintained at manageable levels. It also supports the implementation of public health measures that are proportionate to risk.

Recent events in some Australian states and territories demonstrate the effect of incursions of COVID-19 into the community. Continuing to limit the number of infected travellers arriving from high-risk countries helped minimise the chances of transmission events, including into the community.

The Biosecurity Determination, made under the Biosecurity Act 2015 temporarily suspended flights into Australia from India for 14 days and ceased on 15 May 2021. Since March 2020, around 22,800 Australians registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have returned from India, of which over 8,000 were directly assisted on 50 facilitated flights from India. Further facilitated flights from India have been scheduled in the coming weeks.

As a close friend and comprehensive strategic partner, Australia stands with India as it battles this humanitarian crisis and continues to provide emergency medical supplies.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Health Care

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning Petition EN2657 seeking changes to the arrangements for the prescription of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain.

It is a priority of the Australian Government to provide all Australians access to safe, effective and affordable medicines. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a funding program that enables Australians to access medicines at a subsidised cost in the community.

On 1 June 2020, the PBS listings for opioid medications underwent a number of changes as recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). These were recommended in response to the Therapeutic Goods Administration's regulatory reforms implemented to minimise the harms caused by opioid prescription medicines to Australians each year.

The opioid reforms are vital to prevent inappropriate prescribing as well as reducing the risk of dependence and overdose. Over the past decade, Australians have experienced a significant increase in the level of harm and deaths arising from the use of pharmaceutical opioids. Every day in Australia, nearly 150 hospitalisations and 14 emergency department admissions involve issues relating to opioid use, and three people die from the harm that results from inappropriate use. More information is available at: www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/opioid-harm-in-australia/contents/summary.

PBS-subsidised opioids can continue to be prescribed for the treatment of patients with chronic pain, provided other analgesic medications do not, or will not provide sufficient pain management, or where other analgesic medications are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Prescribers are able to request authority approval from Services Australia for increased quantities and or repeats of PBS-subsidised opioids. These increases may extend treatment up to three months supply per prescription.

Patients requiring authority for increased PBS-subsidised quantities and repeats must have an annual review of their condition conducted by a second medical practitioner to confirm ongoing need for opioid medication when they have been receiving treatment with opioids for 12 months or longer. This secondary consult is an annual requirement only where increased quantities and or repeats of opioid medication are required. The annual review does not need to be undertaken by a pain specialist; any Australian registered medical practitioner can perform the review. In recognition of the difficulties for patients to see their doctors due to COVID-19, the secondary review may also be undertaken by phone or telehealth consultation where appropriate.

Following the implementation of these changes, the PBAC considered feedback from Palliative Care Australia expressing concerns regarding barriers to pain management for palliative care patients. The PBAC subsequently recommended additional changes to PBS opioid listings for palliative care patients and restructured the existing opioid restrictions to reduce the administrative burden on prescribers. These changes were implemented on 1 October 2020.

Additionally, on 1 June 2021 a number of changes to the listings of opioid medicines on the PBS Palliative Care Schedule (PCS) were implemented. These included the addition of a number of opioids and new formulations of existing opioids to the PCS, listing high maximum supply quantities and repeats to accommodate dosing variations in the palliative care setting, amending PCS listings to exempt palliative care patients (accessing opioids through the PCS listings) in all circumstances from needing to undertake annual review for access to increased quantities and repeats.

It should be noted that neither I nor my Department have imposed any restrictions on doctors relating to the prescribing of opioid analgesics. It is acknowledged that determining whether opioid analgesics are an appropriate treatment for a patient is a clinical decision that most appropriately rests with their treating doctor. Further, while PBS listings may reflect the current clinical guidelines,- and the availability of a PBS subsidy may influence prescribing behaviour, it is not a mechanism through which the prescribing practices of medical practitioners are regulated. Rather, the PBS promotes the precepts of 'good medical practice' and it is expected that prescribers take responsibility for all aspects of patient care, including safe and appropriate dose reduction or changes in therapy where appropriate, and referring their patient to additional pain services to support this process.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Medicinal Cannabis

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning petition EN2658 presented in the House of Representatives on prescribing of medical cannabis under an executive approval form.

The concerns raised and the distress experienced by the petitioner and their family is acknowledged.

As way of background, it is the policy of the Australian Government to treat medicinal cannabis products as medicines. Consequently, they are subject to the same regulatory framework and strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy as all other medicines.

At present, two medicinal cannabis products are included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as prescription medicines. All other medicinal cannabis products are considered 'unapproved' medicines. Any Australian medical practitioner can apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) via the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber pathway to prescribe unapproved products including medicinal cannabis if they feel it is appropriate for their patient. Whilst it is unclear which executive approval form is being referenced in the petition, it is likely the SAS form, required by the TGA to be completed by a health practitioner to treat a patient with an unapproved drug.

I note concern about the prescribing of unapproved medicinal cannabis products for chronic medical conditions. Please note, it is the view of the Government that doctors are best placed to determine the needs of their individual patients with respect to use of an unapproved medicine, having considered the risks and benefits of the medicinal cannabis product and the evidence to support its use for a particular patient in their specific circumstances.

There are no restrictions on the medical conditions for which a medical practitioner may apply to access an unapproved medicinal cannabis product for their patient, provided the prescriber has the appropriate knowledge of the condition being treated and of the medicinal cannabis product they wish to prescribe. In making the application, the doctor will need to supply sufficient clinical justification that supports the use of medicinal cannabis for the particular symptom or condition. It is expected that prescribers will have considered all clinically appropriate treatment options that are included in the ARTG before applying to access an unapproved medicinal cannabis product for their patient under the SAS. The application is also reviewed by a professional at the TGA. The criteria for determining whether or not to approve access are detailed in our guidance document 'Special Access Scheme: Guidance for health practitioners and sponsors' available at:

www.tga.gov.au/special-access-scheme-guidance­health-practitioners-and-sponsors.

As part of registration with the Medical Board of Australia, doctors are required to adhere to principles of Good Medical Practice. Doctors are expected to educate themselves with all available relevant information relating to an unapproved therapeutic good before prescribing it. Medico-legal responsibility for prescribing an unapproved product rests with the prescriber. The prescriber and the patient, patient's parents or guardian accept responsibility for any adverse consequence of therapy.

Concerns about clinical practice issues are a matter for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), which has a formal complaints process in place for members of the public to raise concerns about the performance of registered health practitioners. Further information on this process is available on the Ahpra website at: www.ahpra.gov.au.

Further, the TGA has an important role in monitoring the safety of unapproved medicines and continually encourages consumers and health professionals to report any suspected adverse events involving medicinal cannabis. Reporting adverse events helps the TGA to build a profile of the safety of a medicine. Significant safety concerns are investigated as part of ensuring product safety in the Australian community.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

Biosecurity Act

Dear Chair

1refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning petition EN2661 requesting the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Act) be amended to manage human overpopulation and overcrowding.

The Act is designed to address the risk of diseases entering Australia and does not include 'population control' within its ambit, nor is it considered appropriate to expand that legislation to try to compass measures related to 'population control' as suggested by the petition.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Hunt

COVID-19: International Travel

Dear Chair

I refer to your correspondence of 21 June 2021 concerning petition EN2665 requesting the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements-High Risk Country Travel Pause) Determination 2021 (Determination) be repealed.

The Determination commenced on 3 May 2021 and remained in force until 15 May 2021. The Determination was a temporary measure designed to reduce the number of COVID-19 positive individuals in quarantine in Australia, who had acquired their infection while in India, to a level that can be safely managed by Australia's health system and quarantine capacity. This was a difficult but necessary decision, based on expert medical advice, to protect the Australian community.

I confirm the Determination self-repealed on 15 May 2021. For reference, please see section 5 of the Determination, which provides 'This instrument is repealed at the start of 15 May 2021'.

Australian Government facilitated flights from India to Australia, specifically to the Centre for National Resilience in Howard Springs, resumed on 15 May 2021. The Government is doing everything it can to assist Australians who remain overseas to return.

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

Thank you for your email of 22 June 2021 regarding the House of Representatives Petition EN2670, request to revoke clause for benefit of employees.

Under the Fair Work industrial relations framework, parties who made agreements in good faith under previous legislative frameworks are able to rely on those agreements. As a result, agreements continue to operate until they are terminated or replaced.

As you know, on 9 December 2021, the Australian Government introduced the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 into the Parliament. As introduced , the Bill included provisions that would have terminated pre-Fair Work Act agreements that are still in operation on 1 July 2022, which would include the agreement that is the subject of this petition. These provisions were removed from the Bill by the Senate. It is disappointing that Labor opposed the Government's measured and sensible reforms.

The Government remains committed to making enterprise bargaining easier and quicker and remains committed to the broader package of reforms to improve the enterprise bargaining framework.

Pursuant to the Fair Work Act 2009 and the related transitional provisions, parties to an agreement, including employees, may apply to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to terminate an agreement which has passed its nominal expiry date. Where an application for termination is approved by the FWC, employees would then in most cases become entitled to the pay and conditions in the relevant modern award. More information can be found on the FWC website:

www.fwc.gov.au/awards-and­agreements/agreements/terminate-agreement.

I trust this information is of assistance.

from the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dear Mr O'Dowd

Thank you for your letter of 21 June 2021, on behalf of the signatory of petition PN0506, concerning the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The Australian Government recognises the importance of the ABC and the role it plays in contributing to a sense of national identity, informing and entertaining audiences.

The ABC has more funding certainty than any other media organisation in Australia. Taxpayers provide the ABC with more than $1 billion in funding every year. This is a substantial investment of public funds in our national broadcaster to enable it to provide television, radio and digital media services in line with its Charter.

It is not true that the ABC's budget has been cut. ABC funding is locked in for the current three year period or triennium (2019-20 to 2021-22) and rises each year within that period. In the 2019-20 Federal Budget the ABC received a further $43.7 million for regional and local newsgathering.

The Government provided funding to the ABC of $1,046 million in 2018-19; in the three years of the current triennium, the ABC is receiving $1,062 million (2019-20); $1,065 million (2020-21); and $1,070 million (2021-22). These figures are set out in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 2021-22 Portfolio Budget Statement, May 2021, on page 138. Far from a cut, the funding rises each year.

All media organisations are operating in a tough environment - the ABC is not immune. Audience tastes are changing, and new technology and competition from international streaming platforms has transformed viewing habits. Australian media companies are responding to this challenging environment in a variety of innovative ways to reduce the cost of broadcasting infrastructure and back office services.

Under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (ABC Act), the ABC has a responsibility to operate efficiently and to deliver the best possible outcomes for all Australians. It is important that the ABC demonstrates to the Australian people that they are managing the Corporation with a clear strategy that aligns with its Charter and are deploying their resources efficiently.

The 2018 National Broadcasters Efficiency Review found that the national broadcasters could achieve cost efficiencies in a number of areas including by focusing on core business, modernising work practices, and increasing collaboration and sharing. The petitioner can read the report here:

https://www.communications.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-national-broadcasters­efficiency-review-redacted.pdf.

The content and operational independence of the ABC is enshrined in legislation. Parliament has guaranteed this independence so that the ABC's decisions are free of political interference. Under this arrangement, how the ABC spends the money allocated to it is a matter for the ABC Board and Executive.

Thank you for bringing this petition 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

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