Presentation

Parent Visas

Thousands of families across Australia are suffering due to excessively long wait times for parental visas. These delays leave families fragmented, preventing them from sharing in important life events and providing essential support during challenging times. The emotional toll of prolonged separation is immense, causing anxiety and distress for both parents and children. This situation is not just an inconvenience; it undermines the fundamental values of family unity and support that are central to Australian culture. Every family deserves the right to be together, and it is unacceptable for loving families to endure such unnecessary hardship due to bureaucratic delays.

We therefore ask the House to take immediate action to reform the parental visa application process. Specifically, we urge the government to prioritize the processing times for parental visas. By streamlining these processes, families can be reunited more quickly, allowing them to support one another and contribute positively to Australian society. It is crucial to act swiftly to prevent further pain and suffering caused by unnecessary separation due to bureaucratic delays. Together, we can advocate for a more humane and efficient immigration system that prioritizes family reunification, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to thrive together in Australia.

from five citizens (Petition No. EN6708)

Jervis Bay Territory: Christians Minde

The Sussex Inlet Chamber of Commerce representing the community of Sussex Inlet and original owners the Ellmoos family have had concerns for over 10 years about the lack of maintenance and repair not completed by the previous lessees. The oversight by the Australian government has been neglectful in failing to implement the Historic Heritage Management Plan for Christians Minde Settlement prepared by Godden Mackay Logan in 2015. This neglect has resulted in many high level risks in preservation of the structures and people who access the site.

We therefore ask the House to h Government to act to:

Endorse and adopt the Historic Heritage Management Plan for Christians Minde Settlement prepared by Godden Mackay Logan in 2015.

Apply the principles, guidelines and recommendations in the 2015 Historic Heritage Management Plan for Christians Minde.

Review the Indigenous Heritage Management report for the Christian's Minde Settlement, circa 2015-16 including cultural landscape and cultural heritage.

Review the terms of the lease with regards to heritage protection, both built heritage and Aboriginal cultural heritage, and any breaches by the Lessee or Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999

Improve the heritage protection for the site—and all sites in the JBT listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

Undertake urgent maintenance and repairs to the built heritage at Christians Minde Settlement.

Ensure accurate reporting about the condition of the property by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEW) in the next EPBC Act 1999 report, which was due in 2023.

from 549 citizens (Petition No. EN6711)

Telecommunications

The government should adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard as a national priority to enhance digital communication. RCS offers a secure, interoperable platform that modernises traditional SMS by enabling features like end-to-end encryption, high-quality multimedia sharing, group chats, and real-time updates all without the need for third-party apps. Implementing RCS would promote competition for the consumer market, reduce dependency on foreign messaging platforms, and ensure that critical communication infrastructure meets the needs of modern society in a secure and accessible manner. We believe this is a necessary step to foster innovation and strengthen the nation's digital ecosystem.

We therefore ask the House to to take immediate action to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard across all mobile networks and devices such as iPhone's and Android Phones within the country. This includes mandating its implementation as the default messaging protocol to replace outdated SMS technology, ensuring interoperability among service providers, and providing the necessary regulatory framework to protect consumer privacy and data security. By doing so, the government would foster a more secure, reliable, and feature-rich communication infrastructure that meets the demands of modern digital communication while promoting fair competition and innovation in the telecom sector.

from seven citizens (Petition No. EN6713)

Lead Manufacturing Industry

Australia is the world's largest lead (ore/concentrate) exporter—often to countries with lax controls on shipping, smelting, refining, manufacturing and recycling, allowing the continuing flow of Australian lead into cheap products that're banned here (like lead paint, toxic Ayurvedic medicines/spices/cosmetics); and into footpath/backyard/kitchen recycling (including by children). The annual global cost of lead exposure is US$6 trillion (2019)—7% of global GDP. A moratorium on all new 'lead mines' (where lead is the highest tonnage metal) especially 'greenfield' projects like Bowdens, will prevent land and water contamination of agricultural/grazing land/indigenous sites and reduce water, fossil-fuel and infrastructure requirements. 'Mining' existing lead from the built environment; and incentivising householders to replace lead with non-lead flashing, especially on rainwater collection roof areas; and industry to collect, transport and recycle lead radiation shielding, weights, pewter, brass, solder, spent ammunition along with used lead acid batteries; and to manufacture new lead acid batteries from 100% recycled lead; and 'export' lead ingots with the technology/policy to assist other countries to achieve lead circularity, will obviate the need for newly-mined lead, create a smarter world (more capable of solving the climate crisis), and create a lead-safe and climate-safe planet for future generations.

We therefore ask the House to create lead circularity: commit to a moratorium on all new mine projects where lead is the major mine product by weight, and incentivize 'mining' the built environment and waste-streams for lead; manufacturing new lead acid batteries from 100% recycled-lead; and exporting lead ingots, and lead-safety technologies/knowledge.

from 95 citizens (Petition No. EN6714)

Freedom of Speech

The human right of having individual liberties, should be safeguarded. As per articles 19, 21 and 22 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Then High Court of Australia has determined the implied right to "free speech". Governments should be prevented from making laws in this sphere. No matter the intention of the law, it can be used against the citizens in the future if a parliament that doesn't believe in freedom of speech is elected. People can still take action for defamation/liblel under common law. People that cause harm with their speech can still be prosecuted under criminal law if their speech causes fear or harm. People should suffer the consequences of the actions that they choose to take, as they always have been.

We therefore ask the House to initialise a referendum to enshrine Freedom of Speech in the Australian Constitution, and enshrine the existing civil law, that has existed as a democratic right, since time immemorial, as a human right.

from 44 citizens (Petition No. EN6715)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The ABC is any conservative and totally biased towards the progressive side of politics.

We therefore ask the House to have an independent investigation and if found to be biased, force it to be unbiased or defund it.

from 14 citizens (Petition No. EN6716)

Medicare: Allied Health

Bowen Therapy is a distinctive Australian, neuromuscular, soft-tissue remedial technique involving gentle rolling moves on specific anatomical locations. This technique is not commonly found in other modalities.

Prior to the removal of health fund status, Bowen Therapy was a thriving industry in Australia with over 50 instructors and 1,400 members across The Bowen Association Australia (BAA), and The Bowen Therapy Federation of Australasia (BTFA).

BAA and most BTFA members train under the nationally recognised RTO, Bowen Training Australia, and comply with strict continuing education standards. Bowen Therapy offers a fulfilling career and has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various conditions, from back pain to Parkinson's disease. However, since health fund rebates were withdrawn, our membership has dropped from 1,400 in 2017 to 560 today. Without reinstating these rebates, this unique modality risks being lost in Australia.

Bowen Therapy is taught in 32 countries and practised globally. Recently, it was officially recognised as a profession within Bulgaria's vocational educational system, paving the way for similar recognition in other EU countries.

Reinstating the Health Fund Rebate will provide Bowen Therapy with the professional recognition it deserves in Australia.

We therefore ask the House to

• Restore the Private Health Fund Insurance Rebate for Bowen Therapy

when considering the report from the Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies 2019-20 undertaken by The National Health and Medical Research Council on behalf of the Department of Health and Aged Care.

from 1,314 citizens (Petition No. EN6717)

Fringe Benefits Tax

The current Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) law unfairly penalises small businesses that provide essential support to their employees. While FBT was originally designed to prevent the misuse of benefits in lieu of salary, it has inadvertently created a barrier for businesses wanting to provide crucial support, such as food and water, and health-related assistance. This law must be reformed to enable small businesses to support their employees better without facing prohibitive tax consequences. Many employees earning under $90,000 annually struggle with the rising cost of living, particularly for essential items like food and health services.

We therefore ask the House to consider FBT exemption for a maximum cap of $6,000 per annum on food, non-alcoholic beverages, and health support provided to each eligible SBE's employees. This exemption would be limited to employees earning an annual taxable income of $90,000 or less. The rationale behind this proposal is straightforward: small businesses should not be discouraged from offering basic support to workers who need it the most. The proposed exemption would encourage small businesses to invest in their employees' health and well-being, promoting a more productive and engaged workforce.

from three citizens (Petition No. EN6725)

Workplace Relations: Uber

1. Ongoing Violations of the Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Act 2013: Uber has consistently breached this legislation in Australia over the past six years.

2. Misclassification of Drivers: Uber has illegally classified drivers as independent contractors while using various coercive methods to compel them to work.

3. Engagement in Modern Slavery Practices: The company penalizes drivers by stripping away benefits when they decline unprofitable trip requests, contributing to a culture of exploitation although they are classified as independent contractors.

4. Inadequate Safety Protocols: Uber fails to implement sufficient safety measures for drivers, particularly those working during nighttime hours.

5. Exploitation of Vulnerable Workers: Many drivers face exploitation due to inaccurate fare calculations and an unjust fare structure that undermines their earnings.

We therefore ask the House to cancel Uber's business registration in Australia unless it rectifies its business structure and impose fines, sanctions, and penalties for all violations.

from 54 citizens (Petition No. EN6728)

Vexatious Litigation

The Government has encouraged victims to speak up but has not provided legal protections to protect victims from Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases.

The lack of SLAPP protections means that victims who have reported abuse to their workplace or police have been attacked by the perpetrator using SLAPP litigation to silence the victim and to financially punish them severely for reporting threats, abuse or intimidation.

A typical SLAPP strategy occurs when the perpetrator does not expect to win the legal case, but uses the legal system to silence their victim, who often bears crippling legal costs to defend themselves.

The perpetrators are able to use their financial power to inflict inordinate further harm upon the victim. Disturbingly, SLAPPing may continue for many years. Victims may lose their house and job and future income.

Perpetrators also use legal processes including bankruptcy proceedings to stalk, intimidate and terrify their victims, using information gained through legal processes. Bankruptcy also prevents the victim appealing wrongful decisions of a court, depriving them of any access to justice.

We therefore ask the House to urgently call on the Attorney-General to enact Anti-SLAPPing legislation to protect victims from vexatious (SLAPP) litigation. Further, we request that the Federal, state and territory Attorneys-General intervene to rescue and compensate victims who have been unjustly deprived of their incomes and assets by SLAPP cases.

from 137 citizens (Petition No. EN6729)

Disability Services: Child Care

Families with children who have disabilities face significant financial challenges due to the limitations of the current Childcare Subsidy (CCS). The CCS cap is the same for all families, but for those whose children require specialised care—often involving higher staff-to-child ratios and tailored support—the costs are much higher. This creates a financial burden that many families cannot bear.

Without affordable childcare, parents are forced to reduce work hours, leave their jobs, or use inappropriate care options because they cannot afford the specialised services their children need. For families already managing the daily complexities of raising a child with a disability, this added financial pressure causes significant stress and isolation.

Specialised services like Ruby & Ollie's All Abilities Childcare provide the critical support these children need, but due to the CCS cap, families are left with large out-of-pocket expenses, further straining their finances.

We therefore ask the House to

Review and Increase the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) Cap for families of children with disabilities to reflect the higher costs of specialised care.

Establish a Specialised Childcare Support Fund to help providers cover the additional costs of offering high staff ratios, customised programs, and tailored care.

These changes would ensure families can access affordable childcare and that specialised services can continue meeting the needs of children with disabilities.

from 432 citizens (Petition No. EN6731)

Migration

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern over the excessive delays in visa processing. Many of us have been waiting for over 16 months without any update or assignment to a case officer. This prolonged waiting period is not only causing significant anxiety and stress but is also severely impacting our ability to move forward with our lives.

While we understand that certain occupations, such as nurses, are receiving expedited visa processing, we feel that this priority system has resulted in unfair treatment of many other applicants. It is disheartening to see some applicants receive their visa grants within just a few days, while others are left in limbo for well over a year.

We believe that everyone deserves equal treatment, regardless of their occupation, and that the current system is leaving too many people in the dark, unsure of their future. Many of us have families and personal plans that are being disrupted due to these delays, and it is time for the Department of Home Affairs to address the backlog.

We urge the government to prioritise clearing the backlog of pending visa applications and to implement a fair and transparent system that ensures timely processing for all applicants. It is essential that visa applicants are treated with the respect and consideration they deserve.

We respectfully request urgent action to address this issue.

We therefore ask the House to clear the backlog of visa applications. Prioritise the ones already in the system for months.

from 78 citizens (Petition No. EN6732)

Telecommunications

Roughly 740,000 4G phones will be unable to make calls to 000 and emergency services if the 3G network is shut down. In 2023, almost 3 Million devices in Australia were reported to be reliant on 3G Network infrastructure, including many phones, cars, EFTPOS machines, tablets, and security cameras. An estimated 200,000 of these devices are medical alarms. A 3G Shutdown would render these unusable, with the user possibly unaware until the device is needed. Not only does a rushed 3G Network shut-down put lives at possible risk, it can likely cause millions of otherwise functioning devices to be discarded, further impacting environmental conservation efforts. Improper electronics disposal may also cause contamination of air, soil, dust, and water with toxic chemicals

We therefore ask the House to thoroughly investigate the nation-wide 3G shut-down, and guarantee that regional people with limited cell reception and otherwise vulnerable individuals will not be left without access to vital emergency services. We urge the House of Representatives to ensure marginalised communities or areas are not left behind, and Australia continues to provide equitable access to the vital infrastructure maintaining principals of equitable access and affordability, something carriers pushing for the 3G Shut-down and mandatory device upgrades that are otherwise unnecessary have yet to prove.

from nine citizens (Petition No. EN6733)

Broadband

Internet service providers (ISPs) like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, charge top dollar for internet that is barely functional. When you complain they'll pass the buck of responsibility to NBN. When the technician says the lines are fine, it goes no further.

I would like to petition for more responsibility over the services ISPs provide and reduced prices where customers are incapable of reaching advertised speeds and stability.

Suburban customers with fiber to the premises (FTP) and fiber to the node (FTN) are having constant drop outs and slow & inconsistent speeds. There is no real investigation into why this is happening.

Rural customers are pushed into alternatives like Starlink, which is not affordable for everyone.

We would like to know:

- Is the issue in the lines, and therefore NBN's responsibility?

- Is this an issue with poor quality modems being provided by ISPs?

- Why are we being charged for premium speeds when so many consumers are experiencing quite the opposite?

- Should there be a price reduction for customers with unstable internet?

- Should there be more responsibility placed on ISPs to fix issues or advocate for their consumers?

We therefore ask the House to please begin an investigation into the quality of the NBN lines, the responsibility of Internet Service Providers and NBN to provide functional internet if they're going to be charging for it.

from nine citizens (Petition No. EN6734)

Hospitals: Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

In 2019, Labor pledged to offer abortion services in public hospitals. Opposition spokesperson for Women, Tanya Plibersek, committed to requiring public hospitals to offer termination services as part of their Commonwealth funding arrangement. The Albanese Government has failed to implement this. This is not just an issue for the states, the federal government has the power to require public hospitals to provide these services. At a time when reproductive healthcare has become a subject of debate in multiple jurisdictions, mimicking the United States, it is more important than ever to increase access. Currently, abortion services are a postcode lottery in Australia. Between high out-of-pocket costs, a scarcity of abortion clinics and the widespread refusal of religious providers to offer this form of healthcare mean that reproductive services are inaccessible and remain stigmatised. Rural and remote Australians feel this burden significantly.

The Albanese Government can and must require public hospitals to offer these services in order to retain their federal funding.

We therefore ask the House to require public hospitals to offer abortion services as part of their Commonwealth funding arrangement.

from 36 citizens (Petition No. EN6735)

International Students

Many international students who graduate from Australian institutions and live and work in the country for over 3 to 5 years have already demonstrated their English proficiency through academic and professional achievements. Requiring additional English tests for these individuals creates unnecessary barriers and adds financial and emotional strain. While a competent level of English should be maintained as a requirement, prioritizing superior or proficient scores over lived experience and contribution to society disadvantages long-term temporary residents who are already integrated into Australian society and contribute meaningfully to the economy and workforce of Australia.

We therefore ask the House to waive the mandatory English language test requirement for permanent residency (PR) applicants who have studied at Australian universities/institutions and have lived and worked in Australia for at least three to five years. While a competent English level can remain a baseline requirement, applicants should not be unfairly penalized or deprioritized based on language test scores when they have clearly demonstrated their contribution and integration into Australian society.

from two citizens (Petition No. EN6738)

Congo: Cobalt Mining Industry

Kids and adults in Congo are being forced into mining cobalt every day. They risk their lives going into the mines without any safety, and they have twenty minutes of oxygen.

We therefore ask the House to give funding to Congo to buy more machinery and safety gear for the community in Congo's local cobalt mine

from 22 citizens (Petition No. EN6739)

Sport: Discrimination

The year nine student from Sydney's North Shore has the most common type of short-limbed dwarfism—achondroplasia. Paralympic swimming medallist Sarah Rose threw her support behind Hugo.

"In a world where we can be anything, let's be kind. I really hope this decision is reversed," she said.

"Thinking of you Hugo." "It's the thing I love the most and it's been taken away from me," Hugo Russell told 7News. "Halfway through the run, I get a feeling that I can't stop, otherwise I'll be so disappointed in myself and I just like that feeling of running and it just makes me happy." Please let us get Hugo over the finish line.

We therefore ask the House to investigate discrimination in Australia's athletics governing body that has ruled people with dwarfism are not allowed to run long distances in organised events.

from 11 citizens (Petition No. EN6741)

Judiciary

The Introduction of a Federal Judicial Commission is needed to investigate complaints made about Federal Judicial Officers.

The Australian Government has

announced and welcomes the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Report 138, Without Fear or Favour: Judicial Impartiality and the Law on Bias.

The ALRC made 14 recommendations to promote and protect judicial impartiality and public confidence in the Commonwealth judiciary that was directed to the Federal Court for consideration and action, namely the High Court of Australia, Federal Court of Australia and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, announced on 17 January 2023 the "Scoping the Establishment of a Federal Judicial Commission" with approx 57 submissions received during that consultation process which ended on 21 February 2023.

The Australian Government has made declarations to support the proposal of an Independent Federal Judicial Commission, however has yet to take any action to implement those changes to date.

The current process is vastly inadequate, to say the least with the Chief Justice/Chief Judge being responsible for managing these complaints. However, there is a history of these complaints being referred back to the Judge for review and self-recusal.

This proposal will restore the administration of justice for all Australians, not only ensuring that justice is both done and seen to be done and the fundamental principles of procedural fairness, including that decision-makers must be independent and impartial.

We therefore ask the House to The Introduction of a Federal Judicial Commission to investigate complaints made about Federal Judicial Officers.

from 62 citizens (Petition No. EN6746)

Obesity

Wegovy should be included on the Australian PBS because it offers an effective, medically-approved solution for managing obesity, a condition that affects millions of Australians and increases the risk of serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. By making Wegovy more affordable and accessible through the PBS, individuals struggling with obesity can receive the treatment they need to improve their health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs associated with obesity-related illnesses, and enhance their quality of life. As a long-term, sustainable weight management tool, Wegovy could play a crucial role in addressing Australia's obesity epidemic.

We therefore ask the House to respectfully ask the House to take immediate action in including the obesity medication Wegovy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). With obesity affecting millions of Australians and contributing to significant public health challenges, it is vital that effective treatments be made accessible to those in need. By subsidizing Wegovy through the PBS, the government would ensure that individuals from all walks of life can afford this essential medication, helping to reduce the prevalence of obesity-related health issues and easing the strain on Australia's healthcare system. We urge the House to prioritize the health of Australians by making this life-changing treatment more widely available.re ask the House to

from 92 citizens (Petition No. EN6747)

Parliamentary Standards

Recently the media announced our Prime Minister spent $4,300,000 on a new home.

This sort of thing might be fine and dandy in real life but Tony Albanese is our Prime Minister and is supposed to be looking after our country not his wallet.

We therefore ask the House to implement rules or legislation so that Members of Parliament sell all their assets except the family home and that money put in trust until they stop being parliamentarians. Family trusts should also be included in those assets sold upon election.

If parliamentarians do well in looking after the country they will guarantee their wealth remains the same or even increases during their time as politicians. When an MP retires or resigns or loses their seat they will be given their money to reinvest in whatever they want.

This will have the added benefit of having MPs looking after our country instead of thinking and acting in a way to benefit their investments. As a voter I think I am seeing politicians doing things to make themselves, their family companies and trusts wealthier. This is not good.

from 11 citizens (Petition No. EN6749)

Family Law

Child support should be based on your base salary/income. It's hard enough to start again. Trying to better one's self and get in front by working overtime should not come in to child support assessments. This is not about not paying for your children, it's about paying a fair amount.

When I had to leave my children due to a toxic and violent relationship I left them with only a tv, single bed and a payment of 50k for a house worth 700k.

I was earning about 60k a year in a government job. We had a private agreement which was more than enough to feed and clothe my children. Now that I have bettered myself and have a job with the opportunity for overtime.

Im finally in a position after 10 year of hard work I can now start to live, but due to the current system it just goes to the ex who sits at home working part time.

If I was to become ill of miss work I would still be expected to pay the payment based of my income including my overtime even if I hadn't work overtime. The system is wrong and I believe it is a major contributor to suicide in young men that can't afford to live.

We therefore ask the House to Review the system, remove the overtime from the assessment. Base salary only

from 231 citizens (Petition No. EN6752)

Banking and Financial Services

It has now come to the point where the biggest cost of Government is interest paid on debt. This means Australia's debt of over 2 trillion dollars now exceeds the ability of Australians to ever pay back. I therefore propose the Government abolish compound interest charged by money lenders for all money borrowed by and for Australians.

We therefore ask the House to carry a motion to investigate abolishing compound interest charged by money lenders, for current and future loans given to Australian government, business and citizens.

from 12 citizens (Petition No. EN6753)

Endometriosis

The number of individuals affected by endometriosis and pelvic pain conditions in our region is growing. These debilitating conditions continue to rise, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive care. We advocate for establishing a state-of-the-art clinic, staffed by world-class, local medical specialists, to provide the necessary support and treatment these women and girls deserve.

We therefore ask the House to consider Newcastle as the site for the next Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic under the Federal Governments delivery program.

from 57 citizens (Petition No. EN6754)

Taxation

It's 2024, there should be no need for PAYG individuals to even be concerned with how their income tax works, let alone need to do a return every year. The system for such individuals should be entirely automated and work in the background with no intervention from the tax payer unless issues arise. This has been the case in the UK for many decades now and I do not believe anybody alive today there has ever done their own end of year tax unless they run a business. It's high time Australia caught up in this regard. This would also cut annual costs down to the average resident by eliminating completely all bills paid to tax accountants except for business purposes, so all tax paying residents will benefit from this change.

We therefore ask the House to automate the annual ATO tax return for individuals, so there is zero need for any non business entity to process their own tax returns and get Australia up to the 21st century and save them money in the process.

from 11 citizens (Petition No. EN6755)

Judiciary

The devastating impact and lasting effect of a wrongful conviction regardless of exoneration is a tremendous miscarriage of justice and such situations should be properly rectified. The current gap in legislation does not allow for wrongfully imprisoned individuals to receive legal compensation for their time served. The financial, physical, social and psychological struggles exonerees face after prison is in every way attributable to errors in judicial processes. International law details the right to compensation as necessary if a person is subject to arbitrary detention. The lack of consistency, transparency and accountability displayed through current compensatory pathways is not reflective of a fair and equitable system.

We therefore ask the House to retract the reservation to Article 14 of the ICCPR allowing for compensation through "administrative procedures" and ratify standardized legislation granting the wrongfully convicted their rightful compensation.

from 30 citizens (Petition No. EN6757)

Australian Currency

It is not fair and discrimination that government encourage no cash in future.

We therefore ask the House to stop no cash policy and not allow not to use cash in community as cash is legal currency.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN6759)

Air Safety

This petition urges the Australian Parliament to adopt a UAP disclosure policy similar to the United States' UAP Disclosure Act of 2024. With the growing global momentum toward transparency in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) research, Australia, a nation with a rich history of UAP sightings, has a unique responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in its handling of UAP-related information.

We therefore ask the House to introduce legislation to declassify UAP-related government records, modeled after the U.S. Disclosure Act. By declassifying UAP documents, Australia can foster public trust, contribute to scientific and technological progress, and enhance national security through open discourse on UAP risks and opportunities.

The global movement toward UAP disclosure gained momentum with the U.S. Congress passing legislation requiring systematic declassification of UAP records, with limited exceptions for national security. Australian citizens deserve similar transparency, especially given the public's rising interest in UAP phenomena.

We call for Parliament to:

Declassify all UAP-related documents held by Australian defense and government agencies.

Establish a UAP oversight body to manage declassification while balancing security concerns.

Create a publicly accessible UAP archive within the National Archives of Australia.

This petition represents a commitment to transparency and public understanding of an important issue. We trust Parliament will follow the United States' example, align Australia with global standards, and demonstrate a commitment to governmental openness and accountability on UAPs.

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN6761)

Parenting Payment

Increase the widow/widower single parent pension to help decrease the disadvantage of those children who are already grieving a parent. Widow/widower parents receive the same benefits as separated/divorced parents who still have rights to claim child support. These children are already financially disadvantaged after losing a parent, understandably they often have trauma problems. The single parent left behind needs more support from the community, including financially.

We therefore ask the House to increase the widow/widower single parent pension, adding at very least the same amount as an average child support payment. Closing the financial gap for already disadvantaged children & families.

from 16 citizens (Petition No. EN6763)

Parenting Payment

We, the undersigned, call upon the Australian Parliament to amend existing legislation to allow New Zealand citizens who are single parents to access Single Parenting Payments from Centrelink.

Many New Zealand citizens residing in Australia face significant barriers when seeking government assistance, particularly as single parents. Due to a variety of foreseen and unforeseen circumstances, many struggle to make ends meet, and the inability to access adequate support exacerbates financial hardship across our communities.

Many single parents find it challenging to gain employment due to caregiving responsibilities, leaving them in vulnerable financial situations. This petition seeks to address this inequity and support NZ citizens who contribute to Australian society and economy.

We therefore ask the House to take swift action to ensure that all single parents, regardless of their nationality, receive the support they need to thrive.

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN6773)

Trade with China

Australia and China have recently agreed to remove trade obstacles so that we can further enhance our two-way trade partnership. Indeed, this will provide significant benefits to lobster business and support the broader economy. I believe that we should now shift away from stabilising our relations with China and instead focus on development.

The belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has supported various countries in realising their developmental aspirations. In fact it is our closest neighbour, Indonesia, which has been given access to high speed rail. This initiative would reap significant benefits for our country as we could seek to bring communities together. In particular there could be implications for our First Nations people living in remote regions as we can speed up the process of food deliveries and essential aid.

We therefore ask the House to recommend that our foreign relations minister penny wong raise that the prospect of joining the Belt and Road Initiative in our next high level dialogue between Australia and China and to the Chinese premier Li Qiang.

from four citizens (Petition No. EN6774)

Census

The Yazidi community in Australia plays a vital role in enriching the nation's cultural diversity. Despite this, Yazidi language, religion, and ethnicity remain unrecognized in national data, making it difficult to accurately assess the needs of this community and provide tailored support. Recognizing Yazidi identity in the 2026 Australian Census will ensure fair representation and enable policymakers to better address the social, educational, and economic challenges faced by Yazidis. This recognition is a crucial step toward preserving Yazidi heritage, ensuring equitable access to resources, and promoting the community's integration and well-being within Australian society.

We therefore ask the House to urge the Australian Bureau of Statistics to include Yazidi language, religion, and ethnicity as distinct categories in the 2026 Australian Census. This recognition will enable accurate representation of the Yazidi community, support the development of targeted policies, and ensure equitable access to resources and services for Yazidi Australians. By doing so, the government will take an essential step toward promoting cultural preservation, inclusion, and the well-being of this historically marginalized group.

from 73 citizens (Petition No. EN6775)

Centrelink

Centrelink is democratic support. Reasons for suspending Centrelink include Homelessness, Bad-health and Flux Stability. There should be no persons without income.

We therefore ask the House to legally ban Centrelink and Employment Agencies from suspending Centrelink payments. Non-compliance should banned and use Employment Agencies as social support.

from 18 citizens (Petition No. EN6776)

International Students

Financial and Time Investment:

International students at G8 universities invest significant financial resources and time in their education, expecting to qualify for the 485 Visa upon graduation. The new age limit disproportionately affects those who planned their studies based on previous visa regulations.

Career Development:

The ability to work in Australia after graduation is crucial for gaining relevant experience, enhancing employability, and contributing to the Australian economy.

Those who arrived in Australia before the law change made educational and career plans based on prior criteria.

Recognition of Academic Excellence:

Graduates from G8 universities, known for high academic standards, should be recognized for their qualifications and provided fair access to opportunities to utilize their skills in Australia.

Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing:

The uncertainty surrounding visa status can lead to stress and anxiety. Exemptions would alleviate this pressure, allowing graduates to focus on their career paths and well-being.

Contribution to Society:

International students significantly contribute to Australia's cultural diversity, innovation, and economic growth. Allowing them to remain and work enhances the Australian community and workforce.

Exemptions for those who arrived before the law change uphold principles of equity.

We therefore ask the House to urge the Australian government to consider the following actions regarding the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):

Review Visa Policies

Introduce Exemptions: Create exemptions to the 35-year age limit specifically for international students who enrolled in G8 universities and arrived in Australia before the recent law change.

from 287 citizens (Petition No. EN6778)

Barrington Tops: Cessna VH-MDX Crash

Light aircraft, tail number VH-MDX a Cessna 210, went missing on the 9th August 1981 over the Barrington Tops NSW with five men on board. Despite the initial & continuing ongoing foot searches over the last 43 years, no trace of the aircraft or occupants have been located. Given the difficult topography of the terrain & dense vegetation, foot searching is difficult, abhorrently slow & also very dangerous. People are putting their lives at risk in trying to locate the aircraft. But above all, its the five family's still waiting for news of their lost ones still 43 years later. Its time these missing men are finally found & returned to their respective family's finally giving them closure.

We therefore ask the House to to seek & utilze alternate methods to assist in locating the missing aircraft/men. This could include modern state of the art remote sensing equipment not available in 1981. LIDAR flown at low level by UAV or helicopter could possibly locate the aircraft below the vegetation. The use of SAR (synthetic aperture radar) is another option, possibly available through RAAF, ADF or Army. Lastly, Further on foot search efforts coordinated by the Army.

from 276 citizens (Petition No. EN6781)

Taxation

We ask the House of Representatives to restore the original Reduced Input Tax Credit (RITC) interpretation that has been in place since the introduction of GST legislation in 2000.

The RITC is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) rebate on certain fees charged through a platform. Historically, it allowed Funds and IDPS Operators to claim a rebate from the ATO on the GST applied to financial advice fees, effectively providing investors with a 75% discount on the GST charged on these fees.

In July 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) altered its interpretation of the RITC, resulting in super funds and IDPS operators losing the ability to claim this rebate on behalf of their members. This change has effectively increased the GST on clients' advice fees from 2.5% to 10%, representing a 7.3% overall increase in the fees charged to clients.

Previously, a client receiving a $1,100 (including GST) advice fee would have received a $75 credit, resulting in a net payment of $1,025. As of July 1st, 2024, clients are now charged the full $1,100.

It's important to note that no legislative change has prompted this; rather, the ATO has reinterpreted long-standing legislation, despite numerous private rulings supporting the original interpretation. This reinterpretation amounts to a hidden tax increase, further exacerbating the rising cost of financial advice for Australians, especially at a time when accessible financial advice is crucial.

We therefore ask the House to take action and reinstate the original RITC interpretation.

from 1,449 citizens (Petition No. EN6786)

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Paracetamol

February the number of pills in Paracetamol packages will be reduced and restricted.

According to the TGA is for the purpose of stopping Suicide of young people.

This not the first time the government has restricted access to what is normally seen as Off the Shelf drugs in most countries.

Antihistamines ias another example.

Restricting access does not have the desired effect instead it increases prices and inconveniences the vast majority of responsible people.

We therefore ask the House to review ALL the restrictions of non prescription pharmaceuticals and reverse any restrictions that are for limiting access to them for reasons of self harm or drug trafficking.

Drug Traffics ALLWAYS bypass the law, it's exactly what they do.

The Nanny approach to Self Harm doesn't work either, they either work around the restrictions or find an alternative.

We request that you act in the interest of the MAJORITY of RESPONSIBLE citizens and STOP punishing and inconveniencing them for the questionable benefit of a miniscule minority.

from 18 citizens (Petition No. EN6787)

Digital Media Content

Digital media such as games, movies and music are extremely popular in Australia but when we purchase this content we are only buying a license that lasts only as long as the digital service provider hosts that content. if the digital service provider decides they no longer want to host that content then the consumer loses access to the content they have purchased.

for example: statistics show in 2023 over 21 million Australians played video games, if 6 million of those players had purchased a game at $100 each that would equal $600 million dollars. If a digital service provider decided to no longer host that game and remove it from their store it would cost those consumers $600 million dollars and countless hours of time invested.

this clearly shows an imbalance in the rights of consumers when purchasing digital content.

We therefore ask the House to enact legislation to require businesses to provide consumers with direct ownership of digital products so they may remain in a functional state past the end of the the digital products support period.

we ask that the right to direct ownership supersede terms and conditions set by the business or digital service provider.

we ask that businesses and digital service providers must include a consumers right to direct ownership over purchased digital content in their terms and conditions

we ask that when purchasing a digital license for a product the terminology "Rent" replace "purchase" and "buy" as those terms indicate a consumers right to direct ownership.

from 26 citizens (Petition No. EN6788)

Freedom of Speech

On Monday the 28th of October, 2024, Australia's immigration minister Tony Burke announced that he has denied Candace Owens entry into this country on the grounds that her views may incite discord in all directions.

Section 16 of the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT) states that: Everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.

We the undersigned believe that Tony Burkes decision is not only a misrepresentation of the Australian people's views, but also a huge step backwards for freedom of speech in this country, and a clear example of political censorship.

It is not within the rights of any politician to decide who the Australian people listen to, and we reserve the right to decide for ourselves whether we agree or disagree with any public figure.

We therefore ask the House to allow Candace Owens entry into Australia, and we demand that the political censorship of information available to Australians immediately cease.

from 38 citizens (Petition No. EN6789)

National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

We, the undersigned, call for an urgent investigation into the unacceptable delays and lack of transparency within the National Redress Scheme. Survivors of institutional abuse deserve timely and compassionate responses, yet many applicants are waiting more than 12 months for outcomes without meaningful updates or clear timelines.

The current process is shrouded in secrecy, leaving survivors in the dark with little recourse for inquiry or support. Generic and impersonal responses are routinely provided, offering no insight into the status of claims or reasons for delays. This lack of communication exacerbates trauma for those already navigating the complex and painful journey toward redress.

This petition seeks accountability and reform to ensure the Scheme operates with the dignity, empathy, and efficiency survivors deserve. Survivors should not be further burdened by uncertainty and neglect while seeking justice. We urge immediate action to restore confidence in this essential process.

We therefore ask the House to investigate:

The reasons behind delays exceeding 12 months;

The lack of personalised communication provided to applicants; and

The structural and procedural barriers that prevent transparent and timely resolution of claims.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN6790)

Product Labelling: Palm Oil

Palm oil is a necessary ingredient in many products, however its production is often devastating to the environment. It's in around 50% of packaged foods, usually under a different name like "vegetable oil." Palm oil can be produced sustainably but it often isn't, leading to habitat loss for elephants, orangutans and other animals. Mandatory palm oil labelling allows consumers to make a more informed choice, and will encourage companies to source sustainable palm oil.

We therefore ask the House to make it mandatory for all products (both food and non-food items) that use palm oil to list palm oil by name in the item's ingredient list. They should no longer be permitted to use names such as, but not limited to:

Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Fat, Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hyrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl Alcohol (list taken from Melbourne Zoo's "Don't Palm Us Off campaign" but is in no way affiliated with Melbourne Zoo).

from 106 citizens (Petition No. EN6792)

Freedom of Speech

Candace Owens has been banned from Australia. This is unjust and un-Australian, we are a country of freedom. We allow all races and religions to protest in the street, but we won't allow an intelligent journalist to speak on issues that are important to many Australians. Let's stand up for everyone to have a voice, regardless of their point of view. She hasn't broken any laws, this is based off the personal feelings of Tony Burke which is no reason to ban someone.

We therefore ask the House to overturn Candaces visa ban

from 64 citizens (Petition No. EN6799)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism

The petition is aimed at urging the Australian Government to reduce the high costs of ADHD and Autism assessments. These assessments are crucial for individuals to access support services, educational accommodations, and workplace adjustments. However, with assessments costing between $700 and $3,000, many people are financially unable to obtain a diagnosis. Without a diagnosis, they are left without access to essential resources that help them manage daily life and reach their full potential. The petition seeks to make these assessments more accessible and affordable, alleviating financial burdens and empowering individuals affected by ADHD and Autism.

We therefore ask the House to improve accessibility and affordability of ADHD and Autism assessments.

We request:

- Increased Medicare Rebates for these assessments to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

- Subsidized Support Programs to assist lower-income individuals and families in obtaining diagnoses.

- Greater Funding for Public Mental Health Services to reduce wait times and increase specialist availability.

- Creation of a National Task Force focused on identifying and addressing barriers to affordable neurodevelopmental assessments.

These steps will help ensure Australians affected by ADHD and Autism can access essential diagnostic services, paving the way for support in education, employment, and daily life. The House's action on this matter will foster inclusivity, allowing individuals to unlock their potential with the support they need.

from 2,169 citizens (Petition No. EN6801)

National Anti-Corruption Commission

I am seeking the termination of employment contract of Paul Brereton due to the findings of NACC inspector. I don't believe that such an experienced person as Mr Brereton could make such a "simple mistake" and given this commission goes to the very core of ethical behaviour I fail to see how he could continue in the role. This sort of oversight of duties would not be acceptable in any public organisations and can not be tolerated in the NACC if Australians are to have faith in this body. If the former head of Australia Post can be effectively "sacked" by parliament for very minor (and disclosed) gift giving, then the NACC Commissioner should have the same applied.

We therefore ask the House to terminate the appointment of Paul Brereton as the NACC and consider also the conduct of the other commissioners who did nothing to act.

from 23 citizens (Petition No. EN6802)

Myanmar

Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar has led to widespread suffering, with millions displaced and facing severe food and medical shortages.

Human Rights Violations: Reports of atrocities, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions, are rampant, necessitating immediate international intervention.

Democratic Values: As a nation committed to democracy and human rights, Australia has a responsibility to support the restoration of democratic governance in Myanmar.

Regional Stability: The conflict poses a risk to regional stability in Southeast Asia, affecting neighbouring countries and global security.

We therefore ask the House to

Increase Humanitarian Aid: Provide immediate support to organisations delivering aid to affected communities in Myanmar.

Implement Targeted Sanctions: Enforce sanctions against military leaders responsible for violence, ensuring these measures protect civilians.

Promote Dialogue: Engage in diplomatic efforts with regional partners to foster negotiations between conflicting parties and push for a ceasefire.

Support Civil Society: Fund initiatives that empower local organizations working towards peace and the protection of human rights.

from seven citizens (Petition No. EN6806)

Israel

In light of Israel's recent ban on UNRWA and its continued non-compliance with ICJ rulings, I urge you to consider the advice of Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, and call for the suspension of Israel from the United Nations General Assembly.

As outlined in Ms. Albanese's latest report, Israel has shown flagrant disregard for numerous UN resolutions, taken the lives of United Nations staff members, and destroyed UN facilities. Israel continues to act with impunity, disregarding the ICJ's ruling to immediately expedite humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, protect Palestinians in the occupied territories, and withdraw its illegal settlements.

Unseating Israel from the General Assembly would send a clear message that no state can act with impunity when it violates human rights and disregards international law.

We therefore ask the House to seek the suspension of Israel from the United Nations General Assembly.

from 69 citizens (Petition No. EN6808)

Telecommunications

The government should adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard as a national priority to enhance digital communication. RCS offers a secure, interoperable platform that modernises traditional SMS by enabling features like end-to-end encryption, high-quality multimedia sharing, group chats, and real-time updates all without the need for third-party apps. Implementing RCS would promote competition for the consumer market, reduce dependency on foreign messaging platforms, and ensure that critical communication infrastructure meets the needs of modern society in a secure and accessible manner. We believe this is a necessary step to foster innovation and strengthen the nation's digital ecosystem.

We therefore ask the House to take immediate action to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard across all mobile networks and devices such as iPhones's with iOS 18 and Android Phones within the country. This includes mandating its implementation as the default messaging protocol to promote the technology, staying away from SMS, ensuring interoperability among service providers, and providing the necessary regulatory framework to protect consumer privacy and data security. By doing so, the government would foster a more secure, reliable, and feature-rich communication infrastructure that meets the demands of modern digital communication while promoting fair competition and innovation in the telecom sector.

from three citizens (Petition No. EN6811)

Family Law

It's totally unfair for men in marriages to lose half their assets & kids under current anti-men laws, given men entered marriages before these new anti-men laws were put into place.

Men would never have married 20+ years ago had men known current laws would be so anti-men.

We therefore ask the House to pass a new law to allow men to leave their marriage without any penalty to men.

from six citizens (Petition No. EN6814)

United States of America

Certain citizens of Australia who support international democracy, the rule of law, and civic peace, are implacably opposed to the US Congress having any powers to arrest, detain, and deport US Citizens based on their race. This racial persecution would violate international law and we invite Australia's elected officials to publicly condemn former US President Trump and his divisive and racist agenda.

We therefore ask the House to collectively sign a public international statement condemning former US President Donald Trump and his plan to divide the United States with his legislative mandate to arrest, detain, and deport US Citizens based on their race.

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN6816)

National Security

We respectfully urge the Government of Australia to take decisive action to prevent foreign nationals from using places of worship as platforms for their agendas and propaganda. Such misuse poses significant risks as these sacred spaces are intended for peace, reflection, and community unity, not political or ideological manipulation. Evidence shows that foreign agencies often exploit religious venues to infiltrate Australian society, sowing seeds of division and hate. Numerous instances, both abroad and on Australian soil, have demonstrated how this practice undermines social cohesion and national security. It is imperative for Australia to safeguard its religious institutions from becoming tools for external influences that threaten the harmony and values that form the foundation of our diverse society.

We therefore ask the House to bring in law or ruling that prohibits foreign consulates from using religious places for any official work, or participate in any event with the religious places as representatives of foreign state.

from 297 citizens (Petition No. EN6817)

Media

A petition to reduce partisanship in the media landscape, bias and "fact-checking", and restore media to a place where news is told straight. Instead the

media will provide information to people and allow individuals to think for themselves rather than the media thinking for people, controlling the narrative and questioning when that is the responsibility of political parties/individuals and the public.

A fairness doctrine would ensure the news is presented with balance, and that differing viewpoints are reflected fairly.

the fairness doctrine would only apply to dedicated news segments (not entertainment)

We therefore ask the House to legislate a policy that would force media to abide by a code of fairness, making it a requirement for networks to dedicate a specific time to controversial issues, and for those issues to be presented in a fair manner. A requirement for a network to hold it's licence (for broadcasting) is adherence to the fairness doctrine (in regards to news presentation).

We also request the fairness doctrine apply to Digital Media, Newspapers, Radio, Internet/video news components.

from six citizens (Petition No. EN6819)

Tertiary Education

There are 1000s of citizens return to higher education or a large number wanting to study in their late age to reskill them through acquiring new skills in new areas. For eg. A long-time plumber wanting to pursue higher education in Nursing, or a long-time psychologist wanting to pursue higher education in Law, a long-time electrician wanting to pursue higher education in construction, etc. This is a great advantage for the country and economy. However financial situation does not allow or severely burden these reskilling efforts given higher age group and the unaffordable HECS debt. Not many in this category receive commonwealth supported places and vast majority drop the plan to reskill and re learn. Therefore, a change in funding and subsidising required to ensure increased funding for this specific category of people above certain age and wanting to learn a totally new area of studies.

We therefore ask the House to formulate new subsidy and financial help for those reskilling in a new area of study in higher education by at least 60% of the fee, for those who are not supported by current commonwealth support.

from five citizens (Petition No. EN6820)

Iran

We are calling on the Australian Government to impose sanctions on Iran due to alarming reports of violence and human rights abuses against Afghan migrants at the Iran.

Recently, Iranian border guards reportedly opened fire on a group of Afghan migrants attempting to enter the country, resulting in the death of over 200 people, with only a few survivors. These individuals were seeking safety and a better life but instead faced brutal treatment and loss of life.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of mistreatment towards Afghan refugees in Iran, including detentions, deportations, and a sharp increase in executions. According to human right organisation Afghan citizens in Iran face harsh discrimination, violence, and restricted access to basic rights.

As Australians, we cannot stand by in silence while such violations of human right take place. Australia has a history of supporting humanitarian efforts and promoting human rights on the global stage. By implementing sanctions, our government can send a strong message condemning Iran's actions and urging accountability.

We ask the Australian Government to stand with the Afghan community, protect human rights, and take meaningful action to prevent further violence and discrimination against Afghan refugees in Iran.

We therefore ask the House to impose targeted sanctions on Iran, specifically against officials responsible for human rights abuses against Afghan Migrants.

from 14 citizens (Petition No. EN6821)

Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death

In Australia, 1 in 4 women experience pregnancy or infant loss, with six stillborn babies and two neonatal deaths each day.

The deaths of our children have shattered our hearts. Yet, we are left without answers, support, lack of research into causes, and the reassurance that something is being done to prevent other families from enduring this same pain.

We therefore ask the House to take action in these areas:

1. Funding for Life-Saving Research: Fund dedicated research into the causes and prevention of pregnancy loss, premature birth, and stillbirth. For too long, this research has been underfunded, leaving parents like us with unanswerable questions and heartbreak.

2. Establishing a National Registry: Create a national registry to collect critical data on pregnancy and infant loss, to help uncover patterns, risk factors, and potential prevention strategies.

3. Public Awareness and Education: Help end the silence and stigma around pregnancy and infant loss. Our stories should be heard, and others should be aware of the prevalence of this pain that so many of us suffer quietly.

4. Reducing Healthcare Inequality: Disparities in healthcare access and outcomes persist, with some groups experiencing higher rates of stillbirth and pregnancy complications. Targeted research can highlight these disparities and inform policies to ensure equitable access to prenatal and neonatal care.

5. Reducing Economic Burden: Pregnancy complications and infant loss can have significant economic impacts on healthcare systems, families, and society. Investing in research could reduce costs associated with complications, medical treatments, and long-term emotional support services.

from 276 citizens (Petition No. EN6822)

National Disability Insurance Scheme

Remedial massage, a proven support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), remains unfunded when provided by qualified remedial massage therapists. Currently, only AHPRA-registered practitioners are permitted to deliver remedial massage through the scheme, despite the fact that remedial massage therapists hold nationally-recognised diploma qualifications in their field.

Remedial massage therapists already have an established health care identity. They are recognised as health care practitioners by the Department of Health and Aged Care, and by private health insurance companies. They are also already recognised as allied health care practitioners for the purposes of providing services through the Home Care Package program.

Qualified remedial massage therapists are specifically trained to assess, plan and treat, providing safe and effective outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Given that remedial massage is recognised as an evidence-based support within the NDIS, it stands to reason that the professionals with the most relevant training and expertise should be allowed to deliver it.

Expanding NDIS coverage to include qualified remedial massage therapists would enhance participant choice, access, and the quality of care.

We therefore ask the House to recognise qualified remedial massage therapists as NDIS providers, allowing participants to access the care they deserve from practitioners best equipped to deliver it.

from 1,857 citizens (Petition No. EN6823)

Taxation

"Cost is the major barrier for many Australians seeking dental care" (Final Report- Senate Select Committee into the

Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia, Nov 2023).

With cost barriers in the context of the cost of living crisis affecting everyday Australians, the decline of oral health has led to to increased frequency and cost of managing untreated dental disease.

This cost is largely borne on the personal finances of the everyday Australian, or the State and Federal Governments who must budget for the increased demand for dental treatments as well as the increasing number of "potentially preventable hospitalizations due to dental disease" (AIHW Report 4/10/2024). This is a social, health and financial burden which extends into general health and wellbeing, also putting additional strain and costs on Medicare as patients seek generally ineffective or palliative management through Medicare subsidized GP's for dental diseases.

The inclusion of dental treatment into Medicare is not supported by the Australian Dental Association- the peak representative body for dentists.

There is an exponentially increasing problem of compassionate early release of superannuation for dental treatment due to cost which will significantly impact retirement funds of an individual and presents a future welfare cost risk.

A tax offset for dental expenses will put money back into the hands of taxpayers who have incurred significant costs.

We therefore ask the House to cost and implement a "dental expenses tax offset" commencing FY 2025/2026 modelled off the medical expenses tax offset which was abolished in 2019 to help Australians.

from 440 citizens (Petition No. EN6825)

Australian Embassy: United States of America

Kevin Rudd the ambassador to USA. Publicly hates the USA president . This could hurt relations between USA and Australia as good faith with USA he should be sacked for his position

We therefore ask the House to recall ambassador Kevin Rudd from USA and sack him

from 13 citizens (Petition No. EN6826)

Film and Video Game Classification

The current way that videogame's are classified are way to harsh and strict. Games like Gta 5 if were a movie would be A MA15+. The main problem is that videogame developers have to be more careful when devloping videogame content. which lot of games that have a R18 or a MA15+ rating would be lower of were a movie. This creates less fun stories and game-play. This create's losses and potential DOA (Dead On Arrival) Games. So im asking to have the guidelines changed

We therefore ask the House to changes the videogame rating system and consider the way the content is presented

from three citizens (Petition No. EN6828)

International Relations: Australia and the United States of America

The new US President has shown himself to be an anti-democrat with an unpredictable approach to foreign policy. Australia puts itself at risk if we slavishly follow the policies of this man which could lead us into a war that is not in Australia's interests, just as was the war in Vietnam, and in Iraq. We should also stop speaking about 'shared democratic values' with the United States as the basis of this alliance because that has shown not to be the case. The Parliament needs to take a clear-eyed view of Australia's best interests and chart our foreign policy according to those interests, on the assumption that we cannot depend on President Trump's US to help us.

We therefore ask the House to convene a committee or working group f to review the precise terms of the US-Australia alliance, to test those terms against Australia's best interests and in light of the political realities of the next four years, and to scope a policy that would see Australia taking a more neutral, balanced approach in our region in the future that would secure our economic and security needs.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN6830)

Israel

Australia, as a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, has a legal obligation to uphold human rights and prevent atrocity crimes. Recent reports document significant harm to civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including high death tolls, destruction of healthcare infrastructure, and blockades on essential resources. These actions suggest violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. Many Australians are concerned that Australia's continued support for Israel and lack of meaningful action contradict its obligations under international law.

We therefore ask the House to Representatives to:

1. Impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials and military leaders involved in actions within the OPT, in accordance with Australia's obligations under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.

2. Increase transparency and provide regular updates on Australia's actions and policies concerning the conflicts in Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.

3. Release any legal advice provided to the government regarding Australia's obligations under international treaties, specifically in relation to the ongoing situation in the OPT.

4. Actively pursue accountability for potential breaches of international law in the OPT, including supporting international investigations into alleged violations of international law.

5. Review Australia's military and trade relations with Israel to ensure these align with Australia's international obligations, and disclose the findings to the Australian public.

Through these actions, we seek to ensure that Australia's foreign policy adheres to its international commitments.

from 117 citizens (Petition No. EN6831)

Cybersafety

The government shouldn't set a national age on social media because parents should be able to make decisions for their children and their should be more education in schools on the dangers of social media not go and make a age limit.

We therefore ask the House to consider not to make a national age limit on social media and instead ask the states and territories to provide more education on the dangers of social media in schools.

from 20 citizens (Petition No. EN6832)

Australian National Anthem

The current national anthem is of its time and no longer speaks to the modern Australia. Thus we petition the anthem be changed to "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner, the title track to the Australian/US coproduction Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

It speaks about not being bullied by others, not looking for any single person to change things, and that we, as a community, need to be the hero that changes things. Plus it's a banger.

We therefore ask the House to consider the possibilities of changing the national anthem to "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner, with approval from the Turner estate, of course.

from one citizen (Petition No. EN6833)

International Relations: Australia and the United States of America

Mr. Trump's public record is clear that his actions and statements, well-documented in both the United States and internationally, present grounds for refusal on the basis of character.

Mr. Trump has been criminally convicted and faces charges of fraud and conspiracy, raising concerns about his adherence to the law. His attempts to evade prosecution and incitement of the January 6 insurrection show a disregard for democratic principles. He has targeted minority groups, issued inflammatory remarks about Australia's ambassador, and faced sexual assault allegations, including a jury finding him liable for abusing writer E. Jean Carroll. His conduct conflicts with Australian values of respect and equality.

We therefore ask the House to exercise its discretion under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 and deny Mr. Trump entry to Australia on the basis that his documented behaviour and public influence fail to meet the character expectations set by Australian law.

This request reflects the values upheld by Australians—inclusivity, respect for diversity, and commitment to democratic principles. Allowing entry to individuals who pose a risk to these values would be contrary to our national interests.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN6834)

Freedom of Speech

To the Parliament of Australia,

We, the undersigned, express our strong opposition to the proposed Misinformation Bill, which threatens the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and access to information in our democracy.

This bill, while aimed at combating misinformation, raises serious concerns about censorship and the potential for government overreach. The subjective nature of "misinformation" places undue power in the hands of authorities to define and penalize dissenting views, stifling public discourse and debate on critical issues.

Moreover, the bill poses threats to journalists, researchers, and everyday citizens who seek to share information and engage in healthy discussion. The vagueness of the legislation could lead to the silencing of legitimate voices and, ultimately, a less informed society.

History has shown that well-intentioned laws can have unintended consequences that infringe on democratic rights. We urge the government to seek solutions that promote media literacy and critical thinking rather than imposing restrictions that could silence diverse perspectives.

We call on our representatives to oppose the Misinformation Bill, to safeguard our freedom of speech, and to champion a balanced approach to addressing misinformation that fosters open dialogue and accountability.

We therefore ask the House to ask the people of Australia to provide proposals on combating the spread of misinformation rather that resorting to a knee jerk reaction and provide a team of people who can research and gather data supporting this in a natural organic manner which retains the right to free speech.

from 28 citizens (Petition No. EN6835)

Cybersafety

Both the Government and Opposition have backed the proposal for a blanket prohibition of access to social media for users less than 16 years of age which they argue would be in the best interest of mental health of the youth. Many mental health practitioners, parents, and young people themselves warn however that such a restriction would be, rather than assist, harmful to youth mental health. This policy would undermine a fundamental Australian value: that the government, does not restrict or censor Australian citizens and residents access, but instead provides information, education and assistance.

We therefore ask the House to not implement any social media age restrictions, and instead increase social media safety programs for young people and hold social media companies accountable for what they recommend on their platforms.

from 27 citizens (Petition No. EN6836)

Cybersafety

A ban on social media for people under 16 could limit our access to educational resources on platforms such as YouTube, could drive us towards unregulated platforms that would harm us more with unsafe content that would be harder to monitor, and many of us, especially marginalised and isolated youth, would lose a big part of our identity and social life. Restricting social media access also infringes on our right to freedom of expression. It is unfair that it is us, not the social media companies, that are receiving punishment for the services that they provide.

We therefore ask the House to oppose the proposed ban on the use of social media by children under 16, and instead promote digital literacy, and hold the social media companies and those that produce harmful content online accountable for their content.

from 92 citizens (Petition No. EN6838)

Cybersafety

We all agree that social media needs to be regulated in Australia.

However, the Government's proposed age gate for social media sites is not a solution that addresses the core issues of problematic social media use, it won't allocate one cent towards educating children on healthy and safe social media use, it does not protect children from predators or pornography, or punish online predators, it does not give parents a choice in how they raise their own children, it has the potential to give social media companies more access to citizen's sensitive information, and it could potentially position victim-survivors of online sexual exploitation as somehow being responsible for their own abuse.

This is a junk food, non-serious "solution" to a very serious issue and the Parliament should not make it law.

We therefore ask the House to reject the Government's proposed social media age gate and instead pursue comprehensive social media reforms that do not disenfranchise parents and children.

from 31 citizens (Petition No. EN6839)

Cybersafety

Imposing a social media age limit shifts critical family decisions to the government, eroding parental rights and setting a concerning precedent. Age restrictions risk paving the way for digital ID systems, potentially leading to government monitoring of Australians' online activity. Today, it's age limits; tomorrow, it could be ideological restrictions, threatening freedom of expression, privacy, and the right to dissent.

Instead of restricting access, the government should invest in digital safety education, empowering parents to guide their children online responsibly. Age-based restrictions could lead to further government control, gradually chipping away at individual freedoms. We must act to preserve parental rights, personal privacy, and prevent unwarranted government oversight in Australians' lives.

We therefore ask the House to reject the proposed social media age limit to protect parental rights and prevent unnecessary government control. Parents, not the government, should decide when and how their children access social media. Imposing age restrictions risks opening the door to digital ID systems, which could lead to government monitoring of Australians' online activity and, potentially, restrictions on free expression.

Instead, we urge the House to focus on providing digital safety education and resources for families, allowing parents to guide their children responsibly. Age-based restrictions set a troubling precedent, creating a pathway for broader oversight. We must act now to protect parental rights, individual privacy, and prevent excessive government interference in private lives.

from 56 citizens (Petition No. EN6840)

Universities

Boomers who benefited from getting a free degree in the seventies to late eighties should now have made a couple of million dollars to comfortably pay it back. It's not fair to the students of today who have to work harder and have to pay it back sooner when it's harder to get a job due to all the competition. There's more people working and less low skilled jobs available due to technology advancements so securing a job for my generation and the next is going to be incredibly difficult. Even those with degrees find it difficult to get part time jobs or any jobs in their field. Boomers don't need a handout. And they should also pay back their school fees. They aren't cleaners and they don't risk their lives it's the least they can do. They shouldn't be on centelink if they have a degree.

We therefore ask the House to make boomers pay for their degrees

from two citizens (Petition No. EN6845)

Pensions and Benefits

Those who have drivers licences and can work as cleaners shouldn't be on Centrelink it should only be for disabled people or single mothers who are experiencing domestic violence and who are victims of rape and cult brain washing who weren't able to access birth control/ aka not allowed to access their human rights. Public transport should only be for people who have a low iq, and disabled. There should be no stairs on trams because those in wheelchairs and who have prams can't access the tram safety.

We therefore ask the House to ban Centrelink for those who drive and aren't disabled

from one citizen (Petition No. EN6846)

Wages

Teens work to the same capacity as an adult therefore should be allowed to be paid the same for the same job. Not only do they do the job as well as adults they have to commute, go to school, study . Their time and labour is worth just as much as an adult. To deprive them of their money is ageism, discrimination, wage theft, slavery and a hate crime and bullying.

We therefore ask the House to ban junior wages

from 10 citizens (Petition No. EN6847)

Visas

Many times we hear about celebrities being granted visas despite being ineligible under Australian law. Being famous is not a sufficient reason to bypass the legislated limitations on eligibility to gain a visa.

We therefore ask the House to ensure that all visa applications are treated equally and that celebrities are not granted visas which non-celebrities with similar eligibility would not be granted.

from three citizens (Petition No. EN6851)

Australian Embassy: United States of America

The relationship between Australia and the United States of America is one of, if not our most important.

The ambassador plays a vital role in fostering this relationship and having an Ambassador who has publicly and unfairly criticised their former president and now president-elect is completely unacceptable.

We therefore ask the House to tep up and do the only thing that is reasonable and replace Kevin Rudd as the Ambassador.

To remain in this post once President Trump takes office is unacceptable, an embarrassment and could potentially harm this important relationship that we have spent blood and tears to foster of the past hundred plus years.

from 46 citizens (Petition No. EN6852)

Cybersafety

Social media may be bad in some ways but it makes an easy way to communicate with long distance friends and family and things like YouTube and TikTok can help in an educational environment as most teachers will make students watch videos in class for their learning. Also some people under 16 make money off things on social media platforms and they might not have other jobs they can do.

We therefore ask the House to not enforce the social media ban or at least let the people effected by it vote for it.

from 588 citizens (Petition No. EN6856)

Workplace Relations

Australian workers are asking to change the terms of casual employment to ensure workers are better protected. We find that the common experience of casual workers in Australia is routinely working full-time hours or more, with no leave entitlements, and being vulnerable to workplace abuse. Due to the inherent insecurity of their contracts, casual employees are necessarily reluctant to raise complaints, because doing so puts them at risk of suddenly losing work. For this reason, we ask that all employment contracts, whether casual or permanent, include guaranteed hours and notice of termination, as the absence of these entitlements enables employers to exploit the threat of job insecurity to impose unreasonable conditions.

We therefore ask the House to —

- Revise the definition of casual employment from being an employment relationship "with no firm advance commitment to ongoing work," to "working up to 20 hours per week with a guarantee of one shift per week at a minimum length of 5 hours."

- Ensure casuals begin receiving overtime after 20 hours in a week, as they are working at least part-time.

- Provide that all employment contracts include a minimum of two weeks notice of termination and provide cause for termination.

- Maintain the casual loading rate in lieu of paid leave entitlements

- Require that no more than 20% of a business' workforce is casual.

from 62 citizens (Petition No. EN6860)

Animal Welfare

It is not regulated anywhere that users must notify neighbours or communities when undertaking a calicivirus release, due to these authorized users such as councils do not have necessary obligation to alert the public of the virus release.

There is also no legislated requirement for areas treated with calicivirus to be closed off from public access, this means that anyone entering these infected areas can bring the virus home and infect their own pet rabbit as it is highly contagious.

The virus is at its strongest in the first 24 hours of release but can persist for a short period of time on clothing and on pet bedding that has been in contact with an infected rabbit or area and through flies and mosquitoes to susceptible rabbits.

There is a vaccination that vaccinates against RHDV 1 and 2 BUT it is 1. not 100% guaranteed and 2. has a hefty cost of $200 per year per rabbit which can be very costly when having multiple rabbits.

Our pet rabbits are loved just as much as we love our pet cats and dogs. What if this virus was killing your cat or dog, would you be ok with not being alerted?

We therefore ask the House to mandate alerts prior to releasing the deadly calicivirus ahead of time so pet owners can assure their rabbits are safe.

2. Help in funding the vaccination for our pets as this is intentionally released.

from 324 citizens (Petition No. EN6862)

Aviation Industry

A secure airline free from pursuit of profits that serve Australian interests and core regional values.

We therefore ask the House to consider nationalising Rex as a not for profit airline.

from seven citizens (Petition No. EN6865)

Migration

We respectfully request the House of Representatives to take urgent action to reunite our sibling and family members with us in Australia.

The prolonged separation has caused profound emotional and mental strain on our family. Reuniting families reflects Australia's proud tradition of fostering strong family connections, which are vital to the nation's social and cultural fabric.

Your support for this petition will help our family heal from the pain of separation and contribute to Australia's vibrant and diverse community.

We, the undersigned, urge the House of Representatives to take immediate action to bring families back together.

We therefore ask the House to

1- Review and prioritize the family tourist visa application process, especially for parents and siblings enduring extended separation and seeking safety from conflict zones.

2- Create clearer and more compassionate pathways for family reunification under humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

from five citizens (Petition No. EN6871)

Health Care: Maternity Services

Over 7 million Australian's live in rural Australia, contributing over $500 billion to our economy. Yet they are disproportionately impacted by limitations in maternity services. Since the early 1990s, the number of babies born before arrival has increased by 50 per cent nationally. Alarmingly, over half of rural maternity services, or more than 140, have closed since then, placing women and their babies at greater risk of adverse outcomes including mortality and roadside births, and placing increased financial and psychological stress on the woman and her family.

We therefore ask the House to : in the next Budget cycle, to deliver bundled funding across maternity settings and care provider to ensure more equity in funding and service delivery, address any outstanding structural and financial barrier for women to access Endorsed Midwives including Medicare for Homebirth, ensure the funding agreements between the Commonwealth and State and Territory government has provisions for providing maternity services according to the Rural Birthing Index, and ensure national maternity care satisfaction data and experience of the perinatal period is captured through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

from 435 citizens (Petition No. EN6873)

Health Care

A strong private health system is essential for the sustainability of Australia's healthcare system.

Private hospitals not only provide critical services and reduce pressure on the public system, but also offer 'competition' to public health services offering patients choice and access to high levels of specialised care.

Without appropriate funding, private hospitals face significant challenges threatening the safety and quality of care they provide.

This situation could also threaten private healthcare generally, risking a collapse in the function and effectiveness of private health insurance. The impact on the public system would be catastrophic.

To ensure that private hospitals can continue to meet the needs of Australians, it is crucial to address the current and ongoing funding gaps—which has forced over 70 private hospitals to close.

This can be achieved not only through public-private partnerships, government incentives, and policies that support both private health insurance and direct funding for private healthcare providers, but also through the fail-safe of an Independent Private Health Commission.

With a well-supported, stable, and fair private hospital system, Australia's healthcare system can continue to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality care for all citizens through this unique balance.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman already has the responsibility to oversight and resolve issues within private health, but it is clear that this process is not working.

Private health is critically important in Australia. It needs its own Commission and presiding Commissioner.

We therefore ask the House to establish an Independent Private Health Commission.

from 268 citizens (Petition No. EN6877)

E-Cigarettes and Vaping Products

The health minister has claimed on several occasions that Big Tobacco have hooked a whole new generation on vapes yet hasn't taken legal action against Big Tobacco for this!

Why not?

As concerned parents and citizens of Australia we no longer want vapes in the hands of those underage.

We need action NOW! Before it's too late!

Mark Butler's mentor Nicola Roxon and the Australian Government succesfully won big in the courts against Big Tobacco with plain packaging laws, why not with vapes?

It's past time to make Big Tobacco accountable.

Big Tobacco must now be held accountable and the Australian Government should bring them to trial.

We therefore ask the House to take action to charge Big Tobacco under all appropriate laws for trying to hook a whole new underage generation to vapes.

We request Health Minister Mark Butler to explain why he hasn't taken this action already.

We request that Health Minister Mark Butler lead this action against Big Tobacco to put them in the courts and to expedite this action.

from 92 citizens (Petition No. EN6879)

Climate Change

Title: Petition Against Net Zero by 2050—A Call for Pragmatic, Balanced Climate Policy

To: The Australian House of Representatives

From:Concerned Citizen

Date: (20th of November 2024)

Subject: Petition to Reject Net Zero by 2050 and Adopt a More Achievable Emissions Reduction Target of 48% by 2050

Dear Members of the House of Representatives,

I, [Your Full Name], a concerned Australian citizen, submit this petition to express my strong opposition to the Net Zero by 2050 commitment and call for a more balanced emissions reduction target of 48% by 2050.

While addressing climate change is essential, Net Zero by 2050 is unrealistic given Australia's economic and technological landscape. Key industries, including energy, mining, and manufacturing, will be severely impacted by such a rapid transition. Without adequate technological solutions and time for industries to adjust, the policy will lead to job losses and undermine economic stability.

I propose a more achievable target of 48% emissions reduction by 2050, which allows for gradual progress without compromising economic competitiveness. This approach offers time for innovation, industry adaptation, and sustainable job creation, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

I respectfully urge Members of the House to:

   1. Reject Net Zero by 2050 in favor of a 48% reduction target.

   2. Prioritize economic stability, job security, and technological feasibility in future climate policies.

   3. Support industries in transitioning with adequate time and resources.

A balanced approach to climate action is crucial for Australia's future prosperity, and this petition advocates for a policy that protects both our environment and our economy.

UnderSigned: A Concerned Citizen

We therefore ask the House to Act For Undersigners

from 19 citizens (Petition No. EN6880)

Age Pension

It should be the right of all Australian citizens and permanent residents to receive the full age pension, subject to their assets and should not be reduced by their partners earnings.

We therefore ask the House to allow all age pensioners to receive a full pension, regardless of what their partner earns instead of the current situation, where it can easily be educed to zero.

from 15 citizens (Petition No. EN6881)

Health Care

Healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be accessible to all, regardless of citizenship or visa status. In Australia, while some benefit from the publicly funded healthcare system, many individuals still face financial barriers to accessing necessary care. These barriers disproportionately affect those who are not covered by Medicare, including temporary visa holders, asylum seekers, and migrants, who may face high out-of-pocket costs or be denied essential services altogether.

Free healthcare for all people in Australia, regardless of their status, would remove these financial and systemic obstacles, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need when they need it. This would improve overall health outcomes, reduce preventable illness, and create a more equitable society. By guaranteeing free healthcare for all, we can foster a healthier, more inclusive Australia, where the well-being of every person is prioritized over profit.

We urge the Australian Government to implement a universal, free healthcare system for all people living in Australia, regardless of citizenship or visa status.

We therefore ask the House to

1. Implement a universal healthcare system that provides free access to all medical services for every person residing in Australia, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

2. Ensure that healthcare is inclusive of mental health services, emergency care, preventive measures, and other necessary treatments.

3. Work towards dismantling the financial and administrative barriers that prevent people from accessing healthcare based on their status.

from 26 citizens (Petition No. EN6882)

Freedom of Speech

The Australian constitution does not at this time have written anywhere in its entirety a citizens right to freedom of speech or a citizen's right to freedom of the press . Australians citizens deserve the right to these particular freedoms and the mentioned freedoms must be enshrined in the Australian constitution. The governments elected by the Australian people should not have the right to censor the press or dictate the speech of Australian citizens in any manner ! Freedom of Speech must be the basis of the Australian culture! It is the most simple yet powerful of all freedoms and Australians must be allowed it.

We therefore ask the House to

Request by all means necessary to apply Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press into the Australian Constitution

from 56 citizens (Petition No. EN6888)

Cybersafety

The new media-ban affecting under 16s is quite disastrous. Many teenagers use social media to connect with friends, entertain themselves, or have a break from reality. Some even use social media as their only source of income, either to support themselves or their family. Some use social media as a cry for help. Connecting with others and having someone who can't judge you for your upsetting thoughts can really support your mental health. By taking away social media from teenagers, you are taking away friendships, support, excitement, happiness, and for a lot of people, the only reason they can still enjoy life.

We therefore ask the House to reconsider how the media-ban could affect the younger population of Australia. Forget about the ban, and protect who you still can. In other ways. Taking away the problem is not always a good solution.

from 223 citizens (Petition No. EN6889)

Australia Post

The planned closure of the Artarmon Post Office will leave the community without accessible postal services, forcing residents and businesses to rely on a facility located 1.79 kilometers away. This poses significant challenges, particularly for elderly residents, people with mobility issues, and local businesses that depend on convenient postal services for their operations. The closure risks disrupting the daily lives of the community and diminishing its overall functionality and convenience. Relocating the post office to a nearby site within Artarmon is essential to ensure that residents and businesses continue to have access to these critical services, preserving the integrity and vibrancy of the community. This is why we are urgently requesting action to address this pressing issue.

We therefore ask the House to intervene and work with Australia Post to ensure that the Artarmon Post Office is relocated to a nearby, accessible location within the Artarmon community. This action should be prioritized to maintain essential postal services for residents, businesses, and other stakeholders who rely on them. The goal is to identify and establish an alternative site before or shortly after the planned closure on 12 March 2025, ensuring uninterrupted access to these vital services.

from 1,805 citizens (Petition No. PN0632)

Petitions received.

Ministerial Responses

Climate Change

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 7 November 2022 regarding petition EN4208, which requests the Parliament to enact legislation for mandatory CO2 vehicle emissions standards. I apologise for the delay in responding.

On 28 March 2024, I introduced the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Bill (the Bill), to implement the Australian Government's preferred model for the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (the Standard). The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament on 16 May 2024 and received Royal Assent on 31 May 2024.

The Standard will provide around $86 billion in net benefits for Australians by 2050, including around $95 billion in fuel cost savings and $5 billion in health benefits. It will also reduce CO2 emissions by around 321 million tonnes by 2050. Without the Standard, transport is projected to become Australia's largest source of emissions by 2030.

Designing the best possible standard to suit Australia's circumstances is complex, and the Government is committed to getting it right. The Government's preferred model was informed by extensive industry and public consultation, detailed economic modelling, and consideration of the unique standards designed for other jurisdictions like New Zealand, the European Union, and the United States.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Ms Catherine King

Housing: Building Standards

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your email of 7 November 2022 regarding a petition requesting homeworkers have the ability to install of data cabling for their own internal computer networks (EN4318 refers).

Firstly, I apologise for the delay responding. As you may be aware, this petition was not received by my office until 25 July 2023. I then understand it was assigned to an officer in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts for investigation, but that officer subsequently left their position without finalising the investigation.

My department has since sought information from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as the agency responsible for administering the regulation of telecommunications customer cabling.

The ACMA has advised that the customer cabling regulatory framework is designed to ensure the safety of end users and cablers, as well as protecting the integrity of telecommunication networks. The installation of data cabling (telecommunications customer cabling) concealed within a building cavity can lead to an electrical safety risk if not installed in accordance with the regulations.

However, there are low-risk tasks that can be undertaken by end users (including homeowners) safely without a registered cabler. For example, an end user may install cabling that connects modems, routers and printers to a home computer network—provided that the cabling is not concealed in a building cavity and is connected using customer equipment and cables that comply with applicable technical standards.

A registered cabler will need to be engaged for the installation of any customer cabling in the home that is concealed within a wall, floor or ceiling cavity. The ACMA offers advice on finding a registered cabler on its website acma.gov.au/find-registered-cabler.

The Types of Cabling Work Declaration 2013, which specified what is and what is not considered to be a type of cabling work was due to sunset on 1 April 2024. After public consultation the ACMA made the Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024. The new Declaration largely replicates the previous one, with minor changes to enable end users to perform low-risk tasks in certain circumstances, and to improve clarity. Further information on the new Declaration can be found via acma.gov.au/telecommunications-types-cabling-work-declaration-2024.

ACMA staff can assist the principal petitioner and others if they require any additional information about the regulatory arrangements for customer cabling. Enquiries can be directed to trdsenquiries@acma.gov.au.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Ms Rowland

Higher Education Loan Program

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 20 June 2023 regarding Petition EN5045 on fee changes for higher education psychology courses. I apologise for the delay in responding.

In the 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic Fiscal Outlook, the Albanese Government announced an additional $2.5 billion investment in higher education over the next 10 years. This includes the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to lead reform over the longer-term including through implementing Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding to ensure more students can access, participate and succeed in higher education.

The Government also recently announced a series of measures that will provide significant relief for students. This includes a commitment to reduce every Australian's Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt by 20 per cent. This will benefit 3 million Australians and will wipe $16 billion in HELP and other student debt. An individual with a HELP debt of $27,600 will see $5,520 removed from their outstanding student loan.

Alongside this, the Government will change the repayment system and increase the amount people can earn before they are required to start repaying their student loan. This means people with a HELP debt will only need to start repaying once they earn $67,000 rather than the current $54,435. It will also reduce the size of repayments per year. For someone on an income of $70,000, this will mean they will pay around $1,300 less per year.

These commitments build on the significant reforms the Albanese Government is already implementing. This includes making the indexation of HELP debts fairer, cost of living relief for students, support for people from the outer suburbs and regions to go to university and structural reforms to our tertiary education system.

The University Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 that passed the Parliament on 26 November 2024 delivers the first measures in response to reforms recommended by the Universities Accord. This includes capping the HELP indexation rate to the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI), establishing for the first time a new Commonwealth Prac Payment for those studying teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, and massively expanding FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses.

The change to HELP indexation applies retrospectively from 1 June 2023 and will benefit all Australians with a student loan. It will fix the issue of last year's spike in the CPI indexation rate of 7.1 per cent and will prevent growth in student debt from outpacing wages growth in the future. These changes apply to all HELP, vocational education and training Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other student loan accounts.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) started processing indexation credits in December 2024, which will be for the difference between the indexation rates that applied in 2023 and 2024 and the updated indexation rates. This will provide relief for students while continuing to protect the integrity and value of the HELP system, which has massively expanded higher education access for millions of Australians. For an individual with an average HELP debt of $26,500, around $1,200 will be wiped from their outstanding student loan.

Further information on how announced changes may benefit those with a HELP debt is available using the HELP debt reduction and repayment estimators at www.education.gov.au/higher-education-loan-program/20-reduction-student-loan-debt.

The new Commonwealth Prac Payment will be available from 1 July 2025 and is expected to support around 68,000 eligible 1teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students in higher education to complete their practical training each year.

FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses are free courses that effectively provide a bridge between school and university. They give students who need them the foundational skills to succeed at university. Our amendments provide a massive expansion of these important, life changing courses from 1 January 2025.

I acknowledge the issues raised in Petition EN5045 regarding funding for psychology courses. The Government is committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians. As announced in the 2023-24 Budget, we have invested $91.3 million to address acute bottlenecks in the psychology training pipeline. This includes incentives for universities to create 500 additional postgraduate psychology places in relevant areas of endorsed practice.

Funding arrangements for psychology courses were set by the previous government through their Job-ready Graduate scheme. Their changes decreased base funding for postgraduate psychology and significantly increased student fees for Commonwealth supported students studying Organisational Psychology and relevant courses leading to general registration.

The Universities Accord made several recommendations relating to the previous government's Job-ready Graduates scheme, including that student contributions for Commonwealth supported students studying humanities, communications, other society and culture, and human movement1 units should be reduced, and that student contributions should move toward a system based on projected potential lifetime earnings of graduates.

As I've said in the Parliament, the Accord is a plan not for one budget, but a blueprint for the next decade to help us build a better and fairer education system. Further consideration will be given to other Accord recommendations in future budget processes and based on advice from the ATEC regarding higher education pricing matters, once it is established.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education, Mr Clare

Meat and Livestock Industry

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence dated 1 August 2023, to the former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, concerning Petition EN5162—ban on the synthetic meat trade. I apologise for the delay in responding.

The red meat industry remains an integral part of the Australian agriculture sector and a key contributor to our nation's economic prosperity. The Australian Government continues to work closely with the industry towards greater trade, animal welfare and sustainability outcomes and acknowledges its essential role in meeting the Australian agriculture sector's goal of agricultural production being valued at $100 billion by 2030.

The government believes there is room for industries producing both traditional and emerging sources of protein to thrive. This will be essential as we look to meet the increasing protein demands of a growing global population. The Australian cell-cultured food industry is emerging and is primarily in the research and development phase. Research by CSIRO has identified a $13 billion market opportunity for Australia to grow and diversify its high-quality protein products from various sources.

Current regulatory arrangements and principles are effective at protecting the environment and the health of Australians. In Australia, the regulatory approval of sale of novel foods, including cell-cultured meat, is managed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the independent food standard setting agency for the joint Australia New Zealand food regulation system. Existing regulatory arrangements prevent food being sold in Australia—including imported food—that does not meet the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

There are currently no cell-cultured meats available for consumption in Australia. The first application for cell-cultured quail is currently under consideration by FSANZ. This application is classified as a 'Major Procedure' requiring two rounds of public consultation. FSANZ completed the first round of public consultation on this work in February 2024.

Following consideration of submitter feedback and available evidence FSANZ prepared a draft variation to the Code. The second round of consultation on draft regulatory measures is now underway via FSANZ's Consultation Hub at consultations.foodstandards.qov.au. Consultation closes on 24 December 2024. I encourage the public to engage in this consultation.

I trust this information will be of assistance to the Committee.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ms Collins

Taxation

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5368 on removing the automatic excise tax increases on alcohol.

Biannual indexation in accordance with the Consumer Price Index is a longstanding feature of the alcohol tax system. It ensures that alcohol excise amounts keep pace with inflation and that the tax component of alcoholic beverages remains broadly stable as a proportion of their total price. Without biannual indexation, the real value of alcohol excise would fall over time as alcohol prices rise in line with inflation.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Dr Chalmers

Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

I refer to your correspondence of 18 March 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, enclosing Petition EN5916, with 5,338 signatures, concerning an allegation of poisoning at Tsinghua University, China in 1994. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

The Australian Government takes very seriously its role in protecting the community from unacceptable risk of harm from criminal or other serious conduct by non-citizens. Everyone who wishes to enter or stay in Australia must satisfy the character requirement as set out in section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).

A person may not pass the character test on a number of grounds, including but not limited to if they have a substantial criminal record, or if there is a risk that they may engage in criminal conduct, vilify, incite discord in, or represent a danger to, the Australian community or a segment of the Australian community.

If the community has specific information in relation to persons of character concern, immigration fraud or any suspicious border-related behaviour, they can report the matter to the Border Watch via https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/border-watch.

Please be assured that any information provided by members of the public is treated in the strictest of confidence. Due to privacy considerations, no information can be provided on the progress or outcome of any investigation.

Please be assured, all non-citizens must meet, and continue to meet, the requirements set out in the Act, including identity, security, health and character requirements.

Decisions on visa applications are made only after full and careful consideration and in accordance with Australia's migration legislation. Under the migration legislation, the delegate is compelled to refuse an application if they are not satisfied that the applicant meets the prescribed criteria for a visa.

If a visa holder fails to comply with their visa conditions, engages in criminal activity or other behaviour of concern, or there is evidence that they have provided false or misleading information in their visa application, their visa will be considered for cancellation.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN5916 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Skilled Migration Program

Dear Ms Templeman

I refer to your correspondence of 14 May 2024 to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP enclosing Petition EN5942, with 1163 signatures, concerning the Government's decision to cap and cease the Skilled—Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa, as announced in the Migration Strategy. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 outlined the Government's vision for recalibrating student and graduate visa settings to support both the education sector and Australia's migration needs, while simplifying Australia's migration system.

Changes from the Migration Strategy will ensure Australia attracts and retains the skilled workers it needs while addressing the number of 'permanently temporary' visa holders under previous arrangements. The Government recognises the valuable contributions which migrants have made, including injecting valuable skills into our labour market and enriching our communities.

The Skilled—Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa was capped on 22 December 2023 and closed permanently on 1 July 2024. The Migration Strategy confirmed the visa no longer aligned with policy priorities, added to the complexity of the migration system and recognised that internationally trained engineers could apply for other visas that allow them to work or migrate to Australia.

All undecided Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa applications were administratively finalised and affected visa applicants were advised to apply for a repayment of their Visa Application Charge.

To investigate alternate options available for internationally trained engineers, applicants can visit the visa finder on the Department of Home Affairs' website at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN5942 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Tertiary Education: Unpaid Clinical Placement

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 14 May 2024 regarding Petition EN5988, in relation to expansion of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt reduction program to include all health workers completing unpaid clinical placements. I apologise for the delay in responding.

In the 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic Fiscal Outlook, the Albanese Government announced an additional $2.5 billion investment in higher education over the next 10 years. This includes the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to lead reform over the longer-term including through implementing Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding to ensure more students can access, participate and succeed in higher education.

The Government also recently announced a series of measures that will provide significant relief for students. This includes a commitment to reduce every Australian's HELP debt by 20 per cent. This will benefit 3 million Australians and will wipe $16 billion in HELP and other student debt. An individual with a HELP debt of $27,600 will see $5,520 removed from their outstanding student loan.

Alongside this, the Government will change the repayment system and increase the amount people can earn before they are required to start repaying their student loan. This means people with a HELP debt will only need to start repaying once they earn $67,000 rather than the current $54,435. It will also reduce the size of repayments per year. For someone on an income of $70,000, this will mean they will pay around $1,300 less per year.

These commitments build on the significant reforms the Albanese Government is already implementing. This includes making the indexation of HELP debts fairer, cost of living relief for students, support for people from the outer suburbs and regions to go to university and structural reforms to our tertiary education system.

The University Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 that passed the Parliament on 26 November 2024 delivers the first measures in response to reforms recommended by the Universities Accord. This includes capping the HELP indexation rate to the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI), establishing for the first time a new Commonwealth Prac Payment for those studying teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, and massively expanding FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses.

The change to HELP indexation applies retrospectively from 1 June 2023 and will benefit all Australians with a student loan. It will fix the issue of last year's spike in the CPI indexation rate of 7.1 per cent and will prevent growth in student debt from outpacing wages growth in the future. These changes apply to all HELP, vocational education and training Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other student loan accounts.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) started processing indexation credits in December 2024, which will be for the difference between the indexation rates that applied in 2023 and 2024 and the updated indexation rates. This will provide relief for students while continuing to protect the integrity and value of the HELP system, which has massively expanded higher education access for millions of Australians. For an individual with an average HELP debt of $26,500, around $1,200 will be wiped from their outstanding student loan.

Further information on how announced changes may benefit those with a HELP debt is available using the HELP debt reduction and repayment estimators at www.education.gov.au/higher-education-loan-program/20-reduction-student-loan-debt.

The new Commonwealth Prac Payment will be available from 1 July 2025 and is expected to support around 68,000 eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students in higher education to complete their practical training each year.

Placements are an important part of qualifications for a range of professions that ensure graduates have the skills and experience to enter the workforce and translate learned theory into practice.

The Albanese Government understands that placements can impact a student's financial wellbeing and appreciates the challenges many students experience with meeting the cost of living while studying and completing mandatory placements.

This is the first time the Government has provided financial support for mandatory placements. We are starting with students studying nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work as recommended by the Australian Universities Accord.

As I have said, the Accord is not a plan for one budget, but a blueprint for the next decade and beyond. Consideration is being given to other recommendations in the Accord, including that the Government work with tertiary education providers, state and territory governments, industry, business and unions to consider further support by employers (public and private) to mitigate the risk of financial hardship and placement poverty for students in other fields.

The Government has also increased support available to students through Austudy, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance and provided access to more Government Rent Assistance as part of the 2023-24 Budget. These payments support Australians of all ages to attend university to pursue their career ambitions.

I acknowledge the request to include other health related courses in HELP debt reduction programs. The Government has already implemented measures to reduce outstanding HELP debts of teachers, including early childhood teachers, who have completed four years working in very remote Australia. A similar measure has been implemented for eligible doctors and nurse practitioners who live and work in rural, regional or very remote areas of Australia.

Independent reviews of the doctors and nurses HELP reduction initiative will be undertaken in 2025 and in 2028. These reviews will consider expansion of HELP reduction initiatives to other sectors of high skills experiencing similar workforce challenges. The Government will evaluate the effectiveness of the program and may consider any recommendations to expand these measures to other sectors in future budget processes.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Education, Mr Clare

Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 June 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, enclosing Petition EN6091, with 4,543 signatures, concerning the proposed Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (the Bill). Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

Australia has a long history of generous migration and humanitarian resettlement programs. Our migration framework underpins these programs and ensures that those who have a right to enter and remain in Australia are afforded that right and opportunity. This framework also relies on the Australian Government having the ability to remove non-citizens once they no longer have a lawful right to remain in Australia.

Australia makes every effort to cooperate with countries on the return of their nationals to their home country when they have exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia.

The powers in this Bill to designate a removal concern country recognise that there may be some countries that obstruct or do not facilitate the return of their own citizens from Australia. The Government understands the serious nature of this designation, and the making of such a designation would only be considered following significant Government to Government engagement on the issues and challenges of returns, and where doing so is in Australia's national interest.

Importantly, the Bill allows for the power to be exercised in a flexible and scalable way, and contains appropriate exemptions, for example, for close relatives of Australian citizens or permanent residents and for offshore humanitarian entrants.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6091 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Tertiary Education: Migration Law

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 1 July 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP enclosing Petition EN6250, with 99 signatures, concerning the requirement for prospective Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) to complete the Capstone Assessment (the Capstone). Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention and have passed on the feedback in the Petition to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

In order to be eligible for registration as an RMA under the Migration Act 1958 (Migration Act), a person must first complete a prescribed qualification (being a Graduate Diploma or Master degree) offered by specified education providers. Under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998, the Minister may also prescribe an examination for the purposes of satisfying vocational requirements under the Migration Act. The Migration (IMMI 18/003: Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent) Instrument 2018 prescribes the Capstone as this examination, requiring an RMA to pass the examination before being registered.

I acknowledge that the Capstone contributes to the time and effort required to become an RMA, and that the nature of examinations can be stressful. I also recognise that satisfying the qualification and examination requirements require significant financial investment. However, in light of the important service that RMAs provide in supporting potentially vulnerable migrants to navigate the complexities of our migration system, it is essential that new RMAs are well prepared.

The Capstone was introduced in July 2018, following a finding by the I (the Kendall Review). The Kendall Review found that existing entry requirements for prospective RMAs were inadequate, and did not properly prepare agents for practice. The Capstone ensures that all prospective RMAs have a deep knowledge of migration law and procedure prior to entering the industry. The examination is standardised, meaning all prospective RMAs are assessed by the same criteria, regardless of when or where they completed their prescribed qualification.

I draw your attention to recent changes in the delivery of the Capstone, which have had a positive impact on the success rate amongst candidates. This includes a consolidation of the written assessments, and an expanded oral test component. The implementation of these changes from October 2023 resulted in a 61 percent pass rate for the October 2023 intake, compared to 44 percent for the July 2023 intake.

The changes also resulted in a reduced fee for the Capstone—from $2,690.00 to $2,156.00.

I note the Petition expresses concerns about the fee charged for the Capstone. While the Migration (Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent) (Capstone provider) Amendment Instrument (LIN 21/044) 2021 nominates Legal Training Australia (LT A) as the provider of the Capstone, the instrument does not specify the fee to be charged for exam candidates. The fee is determined and charged by the LTA.

Lastly, you may be aware that the Department has undertaken to remake a number of legislative instruments in the RMA regulatory framework, prior to their forthcoming sunset in April 2026. This will include the remake of legislation relevant to the prescribed examination. I will ensure the feedback from the petition is considered in this process.

Thank you again for bringing Petition EN6250 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Bharatiya Janata Party

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 12 August 2024 enclosing Petition EN6377, with 204 signatures, concerning alleged activities and influence of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and associated groups in Australia. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Espionage and foreign interference threaten the things we value most about our country- our social cohesion, our trusted democracy, and our freedom of expression. It is unacceptable for any foreign government to target members of our community in ways that prevent individuals exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms in Australia.

The Australian Government has criminal offences and a robust framework in place to protect our democracy from acts of foreign interference and strengthen our resilience. These legislative measures support Australia's security and, law enforcement agencies to discover, deter and disrupt acts of foreign interference.

The Government is investing $71.6 million over four years from 2024-2025 to bolster our counter foreign interference efforts to protect Australians. This includes $30.7 million over the next four years and $7.8 million per year ongoing to the Countering Foreign Interference Taskforce, which works to identify, assess, investigate and disrupt acts of foreign interference.

Reports of foreign interference activity can be made to the National Security Hotline:

Phone: 1800 123 400

If an interpreter is required, the Translating and Interpreting Service can be called on 131 450 who will call the National Security Hotline.

SMS: 0429 771 822

Email: hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au

Reports made to the National Security Hotline can be made anonymously, and are passed to the appropriate law enforcement and security agencies for consideration.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6377 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Burke

Domestic and Family Violence

Dear Chair

Thank you for bringing to my attention the signed petition (EN6395) presented to the House of Representatives on 8 October 2024. This petition has requested a variety of changes to better respond to cases of family and domestic violence.

The Australian Government is committed to ongoing improvements to the family law system and providing the best possible outcomes for family and children, and is progressing a range of reforms and policy changes that are relevant to the concerns raised by this petition.

Each part of the petition request has been addressed below:

1. Implementation of Domestic Violence register — Blacklist Offenders

On 6 September 2024, National Cabinet agreed to a $4.7 billion package to support legal services and accelerate action to deliver on Australia's National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 (National Plan), which sets out the long-term vision to end violence in one generation. This package includes innovative approaches to better identify and respond to high risk and serial perpetrators of family violence. Models to intervene in high-risk and se1ial family violence offending, will be developed and delivered in partnership with States and Territories and non-government stakeholders, with the aim of reducing homicide rates.

All governments also agreed to work together to develop a shared understanding of what constitutes a serial or high-risk family violence offender and explore enhancements to the National Criminal Intelligence System to alert police nationwide to people who meet these criteria.

In addition, to ensure people who use violence are held to account and support them to change their behaviours, the Government delivers the following initiatives:

No To Violence's National Perpetrator Intervention and Referral Service provides direct telephone and online suppo1t to men who are using violent or controlling behaviour, including men who may be waiting to access a Behaviour Change Program.

MensLine Australia (MLA) services, which include a national telephone line and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns, including men experiencing domestic violence.

MensLine Changing for Good is a free multi-session phone counselling service for men who want to develop healthy and respectful relationships with the people in their life, and help men to continue to have violence-free relationships.

A national early intervention trial for young men and adolescent boys who are at risk of perpetrating family, domestic and sexual violence to prevent them from using violence.

A partnership with states and territories to apply innovative approaches to address the behaviour of people who use family, domestic or sexual violence.

2. AVO and Parenting Orders be in Sync with each other (Local Court & Family Court work in collab currently their judgements contradict heavily)

Family law courts are required to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that any parenting order it makes is consistent with existing family violence orders and does not expose a person to an unacceptable risk of family violence. The order may include any measures that the court considers necessary to ensure the safety of those affected by the order.

On 4 June 2024, the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs adopted an inquiry into family violence orders (FVOs). The terms of reference outline that the inquiry will have regard to matters such as the current barriers for litigants in the family law system to obtain and enforce FVOs, including the intersection between FVOs and parenting orders, and that a family court parenting order may override an FVO, as well as how FVOs could be more accessible for victims of violence going through the family law system.

Details about the inquiry are available online:

www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentaiy_Business/Committees/House/Social_Policy_and_Legal_Affairs/Familyviolenceorders.

In addition, the Australian Government has taken a leadership role in ensuring that protections under Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) can be recognised and enforced across Australia. The National Domestic Violence Order Scheme (NDVOS) is a model law statutory scheme under which States and Territories automatically recognise and enforce one another's DVOs. It is currently underpinned by an interim information-sharing solution that leverages the National Police Reference System (managed by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission) to provide police and courts with information on DVOs issued across Australia. The NDVOS and the interim system help improve police situational awareness when responding to domestic violence incidents, improving both victim and police safety, and ensure local courts can recognise, amend and othe1wise effectively deal with DVOs, even if issued interstate. The Attorney-General's Department is also currently progressing a review of family and domestic violence order frameworks.

3. Stop the misuse of Mental Health Act — Cancel the license of Doctors / Physiologists if fake documents are produced in the court to defend the offender of criminal proceedings. No history of mental health and suddenly if the offender is suffering from mental health means documents are fake

Responsibility for the mental health and suicide prevention system is shared between the Commonwealth and States and Territories. Specialist public mental health services, including hospital services, are the responsibility of States and Territories. States and Territories are also responsible for establishing and administering their respective mental health and suicide prevention legislation, meaning each jurisdiction has its own Mental Health Act.

Registered health practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, including medical practitioners and psychologists, are subject to professional codes of conduct. If an individual believes or is concerned that a registered health practitioner is not complying with their code of conduct they can make a complaint to the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (Ahpra). Ahpra and the relevant National Board will consider their concerns and decide on an appropriate course of action to take in the interest of public safety. If a health practitioner does not meet expected standards, Ahpra and the National Board can take regulatory action, including applying conditions to a practitioner's practise or suspending registration. Further information on how to submit a concern is available on Ahpra's website at: www.ahpra.gov.au/Notifications/Concerned-about-a-health-practitioner.aspx.

These actions can occur concurrently with criminal proceedings imposed by the court.

Ahpra is currently undertaking work to increase the skills and knowledge of registered health practitioners in family domestic and sexual violence.

4. Sole Parental responsibility and child custody to offender's Partner

The 'best interests of the child' is the paramount consideration when a court makes an order in parenting matters, including in relation to who has parental responsibility for the child and with whom a child should live. This includes consideration of what parenting arrangements would promote the safety of children and their caregivers, and the benefit to the child of having a relationship with their parents and other people significant to their care, welfare and development.

In addition, when making parenting orders, the court must consider any incidence of family violence or family violence order concerning the child or a member of the child's family. When applying to the court for parenting orders, parties are required to disclose child abuse and family violence by completing a 'notice of child abuse, family violence or risk' form. The court is required to take prompt action in relation to allegations of child abuse or family violence. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia must report suspected or alleged child abuse to the relevant child welfare authority for assessment, including information that may assist with investigation.

5. No social security payment to offender — any payment from Centrelink

Australia's social security system is a non-contributory system designed to support the basic living standards of all eligible Australians. It is a means tested, residence-based system, designed to provide income support to people who, for reasons such as age, unemployment or ill health, are unable to support themselves.

Should the offender be in gaol, under the Social Security Act 1991 social security pensions or benefits are not payable to a person who is in gaol. A person is in gaol if they are lawfully detained while under sentence for a conviction or are in custody pending trial or sentencing. People who are not in custody and waiting trial (on bail) may be paid if they meet eligibility requirements and if applicable, meet mutual obligation requirements. It is not within the legislation to deny payment to an eligible person who has been released from goal.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that the needs of women and children experiencing family and domestic violence are taken into account in the delivery of government services. Alongside the comprehensive package of measures announced following National Cabinet on 6 September 2024 to accelerate action to end gender-based violence, the Government announced it would commence an audit of key Commonwealth government systems to identify ways perpetrators of family and domestic violence are exploiting them to abuse victim-survivors.

6. Lifelong Supervised Visit with Kids until they turn 18+

As referred to above, a primary consideration in Australia's family law framework is supporting the best interests of the child. The law supports children of separated parents having an ongoing relationship with parents and significant others where it is safe to do so. However, not all families are able to manage this without assistance.

Children's Contact Services (CCS) provide supervised visits or supervised change-over services to families who need additional support to maintain contact. These services may either be government funded or private fee-for-service arrangements. Courts may currently refer families to CCS to support contact between a parent (or other significant person) and a child where there are concerns that this may not be achieved safely without assistance. Families may also currently elect to use CCS of their own volition.

The goal of government-funded CCS is to support families to move towards self-management arrangements where this is safe. There are no standards for how long a family should remain using CCS before service is terminated or the family is able to effectively manage their own arrangements without assistance. In government-funded services, periods of service can vary significantly, but tend to range from 6-12 months depending on local demand and a range of other circumstances.

7. Strict rules to protect kids from mental distress & trauma

The Australian Government acknowledges that exposure to family, domestic and sexual violence can negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. As part of its broader work to address the drivers of distress for children, young people and their families, the Government is supporting the implementation of:

Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031, led by the Minister for Social Services, to ensure that children and young people reach their full potential by growing up safe and supported, free from harm and neglect

the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030, implementation of which is being led by the National Office for Child Safety within the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Depa1iment, which aims to reduce the risk, extent and impact of child sexual abuse and related harms in Australia. This includes the promotion and implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles).

The National Principles are 10 high-level principles that set out a national approach to creating organisational cultures and practices that promote the safety and wellbeing of children in Australia. Each state and territ01y is responsible for implementing the National Principles (or equivalent standards) within their jurisdiction and may have specific requirements for organisations working with children and young people.

Further, one of the measures to support the National Plan, implemented by the Department of Health and Aged Care, is an investment of $48.7 million over four years from 2022-23 to 2025-26 to provide increased support to primary care providers to assist in the early identification and intervention of family, domestic, sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

This is an important step in ensuring that the role of primary care is supported recognising that primary care is often the first point of contact for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence including for children, young people and their families.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus KC

Sponsored Parent Visas

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 October 2024 enclosing Petition EN6420, with 121 signatures, concerning the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (SPTV) (subclass 870) requirements. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The SPTV is a temporary visa, which allows a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to visit Australia for up to three or five years at one time without having to depart Australia. The visa application requirements and visa settings reflect the temporary nature of the visa. This visa does not lead to permanent residence.

SPTV visa applicants must be outside Australia at the time of visa application lodgement, unless applicants have received permission to apply in Australia. Permission to apply in Australia may be approved in exceptional circumstances, including where a parent is unable to depart Australia due to an accident or illness.

A person who holds, or has held, a SPTV and has resided in Australia on that visa can apply for a further SPTV, if they have been outside of Australia for at least 90 consecutive days since the date of their relevant departure from Australia. They must also have a new sponsorship application approved. A person can stay in Australia on multiple SPTVs for a combined maximum period of up to 10 years.

Further information on the SPTV and requests for Permission to Apply in Australia is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/sponsored-parent-temporary-870#aboutVisa-index-7.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6420 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Advocacy for Men

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, the Prime Minister dated 8 October 2024 regarding petition number EN6428, which requests the House to appoint a Minister for Men and Boys. The Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf.

I note that the Governor-General appoints Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister, rather than the House, and I am responding on that basis.

It is a decision of the Prime Minister as to what ministerial portfolios he recommends to the Governor-General as part of the Government. Among these is typically a Minister for Women, which has existed in various forms in governments going back to the first Hawke Government in 1983.

The Government recognises that women face significant social and economic challenges, and continue to be disproportionately impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence. Sixty-four women reportedly lost their lives as a result of violence in Australia in 2023 and 66 women have lost their lives since 1 January 2024. Rates of violence are even higher for First Nations women, women with disability, migrant and refugee women, LGBTIQ+ people and other minority and marginalised groups. Women also experience tech-based abuse more frequently than men and the abuse is often more severe in its nature and damaging in its psychological impact, leaving women twice as likely to fear for their safety compared to men.

Insights to economic challenges faced by Australian women are enabled by longitudinal data. The Government has published a snapshot of this data in the 2024 Status of Women Report Card, which can be accessed via the Australian Government's gender equality strategy website (https://genderequality.gov.au/status-women-report-cards/2024-report-card).

The latest remuneration average gender pay gap provided by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) is 21.8 per cent, with women earning 78 cents for every dollar men earn. This equates to women earning, on average, $28,245 less each year.

The most recent data at the time of writing from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), shows that women spend nine hours a week more than their male counterparts on unpaid work and care. This impacts their lifelong economic security by limiting their labour force participation, career progression, and leadership opportunities.

Additional data from WGEA and the ABS consistently shows that women are overrepresented in lower paid, more casualised sectors, including early childhood care and education, aged and disability care, and underrepresented in higher paid sectors, such as mining and engineering. Women are also underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles, and are more likely to retire with lower superannuation balances than men.

The challenges that women face in working the hours and jobs they want also impacts the health and wellbeing of men and boys and addressing these challenges benefits men and boys. This work will support men to become more active parents, more highly engaged in home and family life, work flexibly, access paid parental leave and take on greater caring roles.

These challenges require concerted and coordinated whole-of-government policy responses to successfully address, led by a dedicated Minister for Women.

The Government acknowledges that men and boys face specific issues, particularly in relation to mental health and suicide. The Government considers that these can be better addressed by targeted policies and programs, rather than a dedicated Minister for Men. In particular, the Government's framework for men's health is the National Men's Health Strategy 2020-2030. The Strategy includes five priority health issues: mental health and wellbeing, chronic conditions, sexual and reproductive health and conditions, injuries and risk-taking behaviours, and healthy ageing. The Strategy is guided by three key objectives:

empower and support men and boys to optimise their own and each other's health and for wellbeing

build the evidence base for improving men's health

strengthen the capacity of the health system to provide quality appropriate care for men and boys.

Dedicated programs for men's health include:

the Male Health Initiative (MHI)—$18.5 million (GST inclusive) in Australian Government funding has been provided over 10 years (2016-17 to 2025-26) to three organisations: Healthy Male, the Australian Men's Health Forum, and the Centre for Male Health (based at Western Sydney University). MHI funding supports these male health organisations with their core work of maintaining information and awareness on key health issues for Australian males.

the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program—the Government is investing approximately $17.5 million over three years (2022-23 to 2024-25) for the following activities to support the wellbeing of

The Men's Table, which aims to promote men's mental, emotional and social wellbeing through social connection and support

MATES In Construction, which aims to improve resilience through working with men on the causes of distress, the value of support at work and how to seek help

Parents Beyond Breakup, for their Dads in Distress program which provides support to men who are in distress following a relationship breakdown.

the Healthy Masculinities Trial and Evaluation—$3.5 million provided to explore what works best to counteract the harmful impacts of social media messaging targeting young men and boys, and instead to promote a sense of respect and build healthy relationships with peers and partners.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Mr Gorman

Senior Australians

Dear Chair

Thank you for your letter dated 8 October 2024, to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister, regarding Petition EN6454, which requests the House of Representatives to call on the Prime Minister to establish a Minister for Older Australians. The Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf.

The Government recognises the important role older Australians play in our community. In addition to the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care and the Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care, the Prime Minister recently appointed the Hon Kate Thwaites MP, as the Assistant Minister for Ageing, to ensure there is adequate representation in the Ministry on this matter.

While the Government acknowledges the importance of the matters raised in this petition, it has not considered that establishing an additional Minister for Older Australians is necessary. The current Ministry appointments for the Health and Aged Care portfolio and Cabinet arrangements ensure that matters concerning older Australians are effectively represented and coordinated.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Mr Gorman

Skilled Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 October 2024 enclosing Petition EN6456, with 298 signatures, concerning the processing of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa applications. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Migration is a critical part of Australia's social and financial development as a nation. Immigration provides our businesses with the skills they need, stimulates demand for goods and services, and increases our economic output. I am committed to maintaining strong borders and delivering an orderly and compassionate immigration strategy that is tailored to the needs of the nation.

The Australian Government released the Migration Strategy ("the Strategy") in December last year. A key objective of the Strategy is building stronger Australian communities by better planning the migration intake. This will better connect skilled migrants to Australia's skill needs, helping to reignite productivity growth, which will ensure rising living standards, business growth and better wages.

Reducing the number of on-hand visa applications, including in the subclass 191 caseload, has been a priority for the Australian Government. The Department of Home Affairs has been undertaking a range of measures to reduce the processing times for this type of application, and additional resources have been assigned to the caseload.

Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, as outlined in Ministerial Direction 105. Under the Ministerial Direction, for applications which are not employer sponsored and in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area, the highest priority is being afforded to those visa applications made in relation to healthcare or teaching occupations. Subclass 191 visa applications that are not made in relation to these specific occupations are given lower priority, and these applications are generally processed in the order in which they were received.

Each application is unique and is required to meet the eligibility criteria contained in Australia's migration legislation, before a visa can be granted. The time taken to process an application varies depending on a range of circumstances, such as the complexity of the application and whether additional checks and further assessment are required. Some delays in processing are experienced due to character and security checks, along with verification of an applicant's claims.

More detail regarding visa requirements, processing priorities for skilled visa applications and processing timeframes is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website. Currently, 90 per cent of subclass 191 visas are processed within eight months, which is consistent with the processing times for other general skilled migration visa applications. The Department continues to process these applications efficiently, with the intention to further reduce the total number on-hand.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6456 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Skilled Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 October 2024 enclosing Petition EN6463, with 531 signatures, concerning immigration health examinations required for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

I acknowledge the petitioners' concerns related to costs associated with immigration, health examinations. Before a visa can be granted, each applicant must meet all of the legislative criteria for the visa, including the health requirement. The purpose of the health requirement is to protect the Australian community from threats to public health, contain public expenditure on health and community services, and safeguard the access of Australian residents to health and other community services in short supply.

There are special health arrangements in place for those who hold or previously held (within the _last 12 months) a substantive temporary or provisional visa, and then apply for the corresponding permanent visa. Applicants who received a permanent health clearance for their Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa are not ordinarily required to undertake any additional health checks for their subclass 191 visa application. This is in line with a health policy decision to exempt applicants from undertaking additional health screening at the permanent visa stage (the second stage) where they have completed all the required examinations at the provisional visa stage (the first stage), unless in the following situations:

Where the visa processing officer has reason to believe that the applicant failed to disclose a health condition at the first stage, or there are concerns that fraud may have been involved, or if the Department has information the applicant's health condition has changed since the first stage;

Where the applicant's temporary or provisional visa ceased more than 12 months prior to the delegate commencing assessment of the associated permanent visa;

Where the applicant remained in a higher TB-risk country for more than 18 months after their previous health clearance at the first stage;

Where the applicant subsequently advises of their pregnancy and intention to give birth in Australia;

Where an applicant reaches an age milestone at the time of the second stage processing and is required to undergo additional exams;

Children who have not completed any health exams at the first stage, and are being included as a dependent child on the permanent visa, will be required to complete at the second stage; and

From 1 July 2024, applicants aged 15 years or older applying for a subclass 191 visa that are born in a 'high risk' hepatitis B country will be required to undertake screening for hepatitis Bas part of the Immigration Medical Examinations.

Applicants will be advised by their visa processing officer if they need to complete further health examinations after they have applied for the subclass 191 visa and their individual circumstances have been assessed. More Information on health examinations is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6463 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Universities

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN6508 on indexation of study fee loans.

The Government has heard a range of public concerns about student debts and current indexation and repayment arrangements. In response, the Government has announced a suite of changes to the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and student loans system. These changes will make the operation of student loans simpler and fairer and reduce the outstanding debt of the 3 million Australians with a student loan by a total of around $19 billion.

In the 2024-25 Budget the Government announced that HELP loans will be indexed at the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI). The change was backdated to 1 June 2023, lowering the indexation applied to student loans from 7.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent in 2023 and from 4.7 per cent to 4 per cent in 2024. These changes have now been legislated and the Australian Tax Office will automatically apply these changes to people's outstanding debts in the coming weeks.

On 2 November 2024, the Government also announced that it would apply a one-off 20 per cent reduction to all student debts. This will apply to individuals' outstanding debts before annual indexation is applied on 1 June 2025. In addition, from 1 July 2025, repayments of student loans will be made simpler and fairer, with the minimum income threshold for compulsory repayment increasing from $54,435 in 2024-25 to $67,000 in 2025-26, and the introduction of a system where repayments are calculated only on the income above the new $67,000 threshold, rather than repayments being based on total annual income. Under this new marginal repayment model no one will have to pay more than the current system, and every person earning under $180,000 will see a reduction in compulsory repayments.

To find out more about the Government's changes to student loans, visit:

www.education.gov.au/higher-education-loan-program.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Dr Chalmers

Skilled Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 October 2024 enclosing Petition EN6518, with 323 signatures, concerning the processing times of Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa applications. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Migration is a critical part of Australia's social and financial development as a nation. Immigration provides our businesses with the skills they need, stimulates demand for goods and services, and increases our economic output. I am committed to maintaining strong borders and delivering an orderly and compassionate immigration strategy that is tailored to the needs of the nation.

The Australian Government released the Migration Strategy ("the Strategy") in December last year. A key objective of the Strategy is building stronger Australian communities by better planning the migration intake. This will better connect skilled migrants to Australia's skill needs, helping to reignite productivity growth, which will ensure rising living standards, business growth and better wages.

Reducing the number of on-hand visa applications, including in the subclass 186 caseload, has been a priority for the Australian Government. The Department of Home Affairs has been undertaking a range of measures to reduce the processing times for this type of application, and additional resources have been assigned to the caseload.

Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, as outlined in Ministerial Direction 105. Under the Ministerial Direction, applications for the subclass 186 visa are prioritised where an occupation is to be carried out in a designated regional area. Priority is also given to applications in relation to healthcare or teaching occupations. Subclass 186 visa applications that are not made in relation to these priorities are given lower priority, and are generally processed in the order in which they were received.

Each application is unique, and is required to meet the eligibility criteria contained in Australia's migration legislation, before a visa can be granted. The time taken to process an application varies depending on a range of circumstances, such as the complexity of the application and whether additional checks and further assessment are required. Some delays in processing are experienced due to character and security checks, along with verification of an applicant's claims.

More detail regarding visa requirements, processing priorities for skilled visa applications and processing timeframes is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website. Currently, 90 per cent of subclass 186 applications are being processed within 6-12 months, depending on the chosen stream. The Department continues to process these applications efficiently, with the intention to further reduce the total number on-hand.

The signatories to this petition may be interested to know that the Government has increased the planning level for Employer Sponsored visa category from 36,825 visas in 2023-24 to 44,000 visas for the 2024-25 permanent Migration Program. This planning level builds on the expanded pathway to permanent residence introduced by the Government from November 2023. It will allow a greater proportion of temporary migrants to secure permanent residence in a timely manner through the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6518 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Parliamentary Standards

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for the petition of 8 October 2024 requesting the introduction of truth in political advertising legislation.

On 18 November 2024, the Government introduced the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Communications) Bill 2024. This Bill would prohibit authorising paid electoral and referendum matter that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.

This Bill delivers on the recommendations of the Parliament's multi-partisan Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) to introduce legislation to govern truth in political advising, giving consideration to provisions in the Electoral Act 1985 (SA).

Electoral reform is complex and requires consultation across the Parliament. The Government is pursuing multi-partisan support for legislative reform, including this Bill, to strengthen our electoral system with improved transparency and accountability.

The Government will continue to engage with colleagues across the Parliament on the vital reforms in this Bill.

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

Yours sincerely

from the Special Minister of State, Senator Farrell (Petition No. 6530)

Animal Welfare

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 9 October 2024 regarding a petition to allocate funding to veterinary hospitals and practices that treat wildlife patients—Petition Ministerial Referral (EN6532).

Wildlife carers, veterinarians and wildlife hospitals play an important role in caring for native wildlife. Wildlife rescue and care are primarily the responsibility of state and territory governments, though the Australian Government has provided support to the sector during the recent extreme and unprecedented 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. Through the Saving Koalas Fund, the Australian Government is providing $19.5 million for koala hospital and koala health initiatives. These investments are primarily for the purpose of helping koalas, but also provide infrastructure and support to care for other native animals.

As you are aware, the Australian Government is also supporting actions that will lead to long-term recovery for threatened species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-32 is helping to protect, manage and restore Australia's threatened species and important natural places. The Australian Government's $224.5 million Saving Native Species program is helping to implement this plan and look after our unique plants, animals and ecological communities.

Thank you again for bringing your concerns to the government's attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment and Water, Ms Plibersek

Domestic and Family Violence

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 8 October 2024 regarding petition EN6536.

The petition asks the House of Representatives to create a register of people who make false allegations about domestic violence. I note the petition raises concerns about false allegations of domestic violence resulting in imprisonment, as well as impacting on people's finances and family law proceedings.

The Australian Government is firm in its view that domestic violence is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated, and is committed to ongoing improvements to the family law, courts and legal assistance systems to ensure that they support families to separate in a safe, child-centred, accessible and timely way.

Under Australia's federal system of government, States and Territories are responsible for the majority of laws related to domestic violence, including the making of domestic violence orders and criminal offences. Each jurisdiction manages its own criminal justice system, including criminal laws, policing, courts and corrections. The following information is therefore focussed on the family law system, noting that the Attorney-General's po1tfolio has responsibility for the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Petition EN6536 raises concerns about the use of false allegations of domestic violence within the justice system. It is a role for the courts and, specifically, for family law court judges to consider the evidence presented, including allegations of domestic violence, and determine the weight it should be given. This is done on a case-by-case basis. The family law courts have broad powers to order costs against a party if false allegations or false denials are proven in court. In addition, a witness in proceedings who wilfully makes a statement significant to the proceedings which they know to be false, or do not believe to be true, may have committed the offence of perjury.

Where there is an allegation of perjury, the court may refer the allegation to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation. The AFP is operationally independent of Government and has authority to make decisions about whether or not to investigate an alleged Commonwealth offence.

I also note the concerns raised in the petition regarding the misuse of systems. The Australian Government recognises this is a serious issue. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has broad powers to manage the conduct of proceedings and can make orders to prevent misuse of court processes, including the power to summarily dismiss all or any part of proceedings that it considers frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process.

At the National Cabinet meeting of 6 September 2024, the Government committed to immediately commence an audit of key Commonwealth government systems to identify areas where they are being weaponised by perpetrators of domestic violence. The audit will include the child support, social security and tax systems and will leverage existing reviews underway that seek to strengthen these systems.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus KC

Digital ID Legislation

Dear Ms Templeman

In response to petition number EN6548, please relay the below to the signatories of the petition.

A Digital ID is simply a voluntary online method of confirming your ID that does not require physical documents once it's set up. It works by verifying your existing ID documents such as a passport or driver license against the official record held by government.

Consultation on the legislative framework of Digital ID extends back to 2017. Three rounds of public consultation on the policy and draft legislation were held across 2020 and 2021. Consultation on the proposed draft Digital ID Bill as well as the associated legislative rules occurred between September and October 2023. Feedback received from the consultation resulted in a number of key changes to the Digital ID Bill.

The Digital ID Bill 2023 and the Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023 were introduced into the Parliament on 30 November 2023 and referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 28 February 2024. The Senate Committee's report concluded that the Bills should be passed however, amendments were made to the Digital ID Bill to respond to the issues raised by the Committee's inquiry.

On 27 March 2024, the Bills passed the Senate and on 16 May 2024 the Bills passed the House of Representatives and became Acts of Parliament. The Acts commenced on 1 December 2024.

For more information on consultation conducted on the Bill, please visit:

digitalidsystem.gov.au/have-your-say.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Government Services, Senator Gallagher

Bahrain: Human Rights

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence regarding petition number EN6557 and its call for the release of Professor Abduljalil Al-Singace.

The Australian Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and arbitrary detention seriously. We are deeply concerned by the reports of ill-treatment of Professor Al- Singace.

The Australian Embassy in Riyadh is accredited to Bahrain and closely monitors the human rights situation there. The Embassy regularly makes representations on human rights to the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and engages in constructive bilateral dialogue on specific human rights issues, including freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and prisoner welfare.

We are also using our voice in international institutions and fora to call for the upholding of human rights in Bahrain. Australia has raised Bahrain's human rights record in the Human Rights Council. Our statement to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group in November 2022 expressed deep concern with reports of torture, enforced disappearance and abuse of detainees. It urged Bahrain to protect detainees against torture and other ill-treatment, uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, end the ban on protests, and establish a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to its abolition.

The Australian Government will continue to advocate strongly in support of the human rights of the Bahraini people, including to call for an end to arbitrary detention and for the fair and humane treatment of all prisoners.

Thank you very much for your correspondence on this important manner.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

COVID-19: Response

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 November 2024 regarding the petition (EN6578) that requests an inquiry be held on the Australian Government's Response to COVID-19.

On 25 October 2024, the Government received the final report from the independent panel appointed to review the response to the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19 Response Inquiry).

The COVID-19 Response Inquiry reviewed the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons learned and improve Australia's preparedness for future pandemics. The Inquiry consulted widely, receiving 2,201 public submissions representing a breadth of experiences and reflections across governments, business, community organisations, unions and everyday Australians. The Inquiry also held 27 roundtables with 300 individuals to test what worked well and what needs to change.

The report includes nine guiding recommendations that are aligned with nine pillars of a successful pandemic response. The report identifies 19 immediate actions for the next 12-18 months, and seven medium-term actions prior to the next national health emergency. In line with the report, the Government is delivering on its commitment to establish an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). The Australian CDC will ensure Australia has a national organisation than brings together critical information and experts to deliver coherent, timely health advice to improve health outcomes for the Australian population. The Government will release a full response to the report in due course.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Butler

Gender Based Violence

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your letter of 4 November 2024 conveying petition number EN6581, which requests the Australian Parliament to recognise 16 September as 'Women, Life, Freedom' Day.

The Australian Government stands with the women and girls of Iran and Iranian human rights defenders in their ongoing fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. I publicly condemned Iran's brutal crackdown of the Women, Life, Freedom protests sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Jina Amini in September 2022, and supported calls by the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into Ms Amini's death.

Since Ms Amini's death I have imposed sanctions against 200 Iranian individuals and entities, including those responsible for the oppression of women and girls. This includes Magnitsky-style sanctions I announced in December 2022 against Iran's Morality Police, the Basij Resistance Force, and six Iranian individuals involved in the crackdown, and further sanctions announced in September 2023 and 2024 to mark the anniversary of Ms Amini's death.

The Australian Government has advocated for sustained international pressure on Iran for its treatment of women and Girls, including by delivering statements at the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council. Australia was at the forefront of efforts to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women in December 2022 in response to Iran's actions to continuously undermine and increasingly suppress the human rights of women and girls including by using excessive force.

In April 2024, Australia co-sponsored a resolution to extend the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Iran and the Independent Fact-Finding Mission, the responsible mechanisms for investigating human rights violations stemming from Iran's violent repression of the 2022 protests.

On 17 September 2024, I issued a joint statement with the US Secretary of State and Foreign Ministers of the UK, Canada and New Zealand on the second anniversary of Ms Amini's death. In the statement, we acknowledged the ongoing unity of the Women, Life, Freedom movement and called on the new Iranian Administration to fulfil its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran. I also conveyed these messages directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on 26 September 2024.

I have passed a copy of the petition to the co-chairs of the Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) for their information and consideration. As you know, the APGPD works across party lines to champion women's empowerment and break down gender discrimination.

Australia remains steadfast in our determination to work with the international community to hold Iran to account for its systemic oppression of women and girls and to advocate for the human rights of all Iranian people.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Cc. Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Federal Member for Bendigo, Co-Chair of Australian Parliamentary Group on Population Development

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Senator for NSW, Co-Chair of Australian Parliamentary Group on Population Development

Dr Monique Ryan MP, Member for Kooyong, Co-Chair of Australian Parliamentary Group on Population Development

Young Australians

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 4 November 2024 regarding Petition EN6599 on a proposed National Youth Meet and Greet Day.

I acknowledge the issues raised in the petition, including the challenges faced by young people and the importance of including young people in government decision-making. The Australian Government is committed to creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with young people to ensure their views are reflected in the policies and programs that affect them.

As part of the Government's Youth Engagement Model, the Office for Youth engaged over 4,600 young people from across Australia in 2023 to develop Engage! A strategy to include young people in the decisions we make. This strategy, launched in March 2024, highlights 3 priority areas where we will recognise and listen to young people, empower young people to advocate, engage with and support government to work with young people.

Under Engage! the Government committed to an annual National Youth Forum where young people work together to present policy solutions to the Australian Government. The first National Youth Forum was held in March 2024 at the National Museum of Australia and was attended by more than 100 diverse young people from across Australia. Topics for the forum were based on the top 3 issues raised by young people during the National Youth Consultations in 2023: mental health, climate change, and cost of living.

Additionally, under the Youth Engagement Model the Government provides funding to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) to advocate on behalf of and support young people. AYAC has successfully supported the establishment of a Parliamentary Friends of Young People Group co-convened by Mr Andrew Wilkie MP, Member for Clark, and Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP, Member for Mayo. This Friendship Group provides a non-partisan forum for Senators and Members to meet and interact with young people and youth-led organisations to discuss matters relating to areas of policy that affect young Australians.

The National Youth Meet and Greet Day had the opportunity to be presented and discussed at this Friendship Group and I will encourage AYAC to continue to support young people to advocate for this idea across the Parliament.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Youth, Dr Aly

Asylum Seekers

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 November 2024 enclosing Petition EN6613, with 554 signatures, concerning Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers in Australia. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Migration is a critical part of Australia's social and financial development as a nation. Australia is a multicultural nation where its first priority should be how we can focus on inclusion and bringing people together.

The previous Government left thousands of people, who had been subject to the 'Fast Track' process, in limbo for more than a decade. This was one aspect of the broken migration system the Albanese Government inherited.

The Government has focused on providing those who engage Australia's protection obligations a chance to continue their lives in Australia with certainty and security, and has provided these individuals with a permanent pathway through the Resolution of Status visa.

I am working through the remaining cohort with the Department of Home Affairs. Not everyone is in an identical situation—some individuals may have new protection claims relating to their country of origin, while others may have compelling or compassionate circumstances that provide a basis for them to remain in Australia.

I have asked my Department to refer people with new protection claims or those with other compelling and compassionate circumstances for consideration under Ministerial Intervention powers. Individuals who arrived in Australia as unaccompanied minors, and those who arrived before 2010, will be prioritised.

Further information regarding ministerial intervention processes, including how to make a request for intervention, is available on the Department's website.

I wish to assure the signatories to petition EN6613 that Australia does not return individuals to situations where it has been found 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.

The signatories may also be interested to know the Immigration Assessment Authority (IAA), which was established in April 2015, was abolished on 14 October 2024 with the commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal (the Tribunal). Any cases still active with the IAA (i.e. cases not yet decided) on 14 October 2024 have been transferred to the Tribunal for continuation of review. The Tribunal has written to applicants whose cases were transferred confirming the transfer has taken place and providing them with a new case reference number. Further information is available at:

https://www.art.gov.au/immigration-assessment-authority.

The Government understands that it may be difficult for anyone to support themselves while their immigration matter is being resolved, if they cannot work and participate in the community. A Bridging visa is intended to allow an applicant to reside lawfully in the community while they resolve their immigration status.

The conditions that apply to an individual's Bridging visa are determined based on their individual circumstances. TPV and SHEV applicants who hold a valid Bridging visa generally have work and study rights, and may also be eligible to receive access to:

Medicare and the public health system;

education for school aged children;

assistance with finding employment if they have work rights;

translating and interpreting services; and

the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) Program, which can include financial assistance and accommodation.

Services Australia determines whether or not applicants are eligible for Medicare benefits. As part of the Medicare enrolment process, applicants need to demonstrate their current visa status. A visa holder can check their current visa details and conditions by using the Department's Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).

While the Government is working through the Fast Track cohort, it also remains committed to delivering orderly and legal pathways to Australia through robust migration and humanitarian programs. As such, the Government has committed to maintaining Operation Sovereign Borders, including regional processing arrangements. Under this approach, anyone who attempts to travel to Australia by boat without a valid visa will be turned back to their point of departure, returned to their home country, or transferred to a regional processing country for assessment of their protection claims.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6613 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Mental Health

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 November 2024 regarding Petition Number EN6614 request to increase Medicare benefits for psychological sessions to 26 sessions per year for individuals.

I also note your recent correspondence of 3 June 2024 regarding a similar petition (number EN6102) to increase psychological sessions to a minimum of 20 sessions per year for individuals. A response to this correspondence was dispatched to you on 6 August 2024.

As previously advised, increasing individual psychological session numbers as part of a tiered model of treatment carries a high risk of further entrenching inequities. An independent evaluation by the University of Melbourne found that providing additional services to existing consumers limited the capacity of providers to offer treatment to new users, with many people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and regional, rural and remote areas missing out.

Since the additional Better Access sessions ceased on 31 December 2022, 44,927 additional people entered the program and used the initial 10 Better Access individual treatment sessions in 2023, compared to 2022 figures. You can read the Australian Government's response to the Better Access evaluation at:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/australian-government-response-to-the-better-access-evaluation.pdf.

Since my previous correspondence on 6 August 2024, I am pleased to add that the Department of Health and Aged Care has established the Better Access Industry Liaison Group (Liaison Group) which brings the sector together via 17 key stakeholder organisations including the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association.

The Liaison Group has been established to ensure there are no unintended consequences or patient access issues arising during, or as a result of, implementation of the changes to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative as announced through the 2024-25 Budget.

The Government is also investing in complementary models of mental health care to ensure Australians get the right level of care for their level of need. In the 2024-25 Budget, the Government invested $361 million in the mental health and suicide prevention system. This includes:

$163.9 million for a new national early intervention service that anyone can access for free, whenever they need it

$29.9 million for an upgraded nationwide network of 61 Medicare Mental

Health Centres to offer free, walk-in access to mental health care professionals for adults with more complex mental health needs

$71.7 million to fund Primary Health Networks to work in partnership with general practices to commission mental health workers to offer wraparound care for people with high needs in between medical appointments

$7.1million to establish a new national peer workforce association will help to mobilise, professionalise and unlock the potential of this all-important workforce.

This investment shifts away from the one-size-fits-all approach and will relieve pressure on the Better Access initiative.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Butler

Rural and Regional Health Services

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 4 November 2024 regarding petition number EN6617.

The Australian Government acknowledges the unique challenges and disparities rural and remote communities face when accessing health care. These challenges faced by rural and remote communities can include attracting and retaining health professionals to provide local primary care services.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to addressing health workforce shortages in rural and remote Australia. Standard solutions like traditional models of GP service delivery may not work in all communities. The primary issue for the rural health workforce in Australia is one of equitable distribution rather than undersupply. GP numbers in Australia increased at two and a half times the rate of population growth, however, the bulk of this growth has occurred in major capital cities and metropolitan areas.

The Government is committed to addressing these challenges to meet the needs of Australians in rural and remote areas by working to improve the capacity, quality and distribution of the health workforce.

The Mid-term Review of the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA), published on 24 October 2024, made 45 recommendations including recommendations to improve health equity and outcomes for Australians living in rural and remote communities. Recommendation 36 was that the importance of improving equitable access to health care services in rural and remote areas should be reflected in a new and dedicated Schedule in a future NHRA Agreement.

As part of discussions about the next NHRA Addendum, these recommendations, including Recommendation 36, are being carefully considered by governments.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Butler

Migration: Family Reunification

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 18 November 2024 enclosing petition EN6630, with 144 signatures, concerning the cost and processing times for Parent visas. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The Australian Government acknowledges the important role family migration plays in delivering social outcomes for Australia and contributing to social cohesion by strengthening family and community bonds in Australia. The Family Stream of Australia's Permanent Migration Program seeks to facilitate the reunification of family members, including partners, children and parents, of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens.

The number of places allocated to the permanent Parent program is decided annually as part of the permanent Migration Program planning process. The Government determines the number of places for the Migration Program following public consultations, and sets the program with Australia's immediate and longer-term economic and social needs in mind.

The permanent Parent visa program within the Family Stream consists of Contributory and non-Contributory visa subclasses. For program year 2024-25 (commencing on 1 July 2024), 8,500 places have been allocated to the permanent Parent visa program. This is the same number of places allocated for program year 2023-24.

The Government is aware of concerns about processing times and the cost of permanent Parent visas. Processing times for permanent Parent visa applications are impacted by a range of factors, including the number of places allocated to a program each year within the broader migration program and the level of demand. For a number of years, high volumes of permanent Parent visa application lodgements have exceeded annual migration planning levels, which has impacted processing times for permanent Parent visas.

Visa Application Charges (VAC) are taxes imposed on visa applicants, including applicants in the Family stream, and are set by Government in accordance with policy objectives. As general taxation, all revenue is returned to Government to provide services to the community.

VACs are subject to annual indexation, and a range of considerations are taken into account when setting them, including the Government's policy intentions and the size and composition of the Migration program. Parent migrants draw upon Government services over the course of their lifetime in Australia, and the VACs for Parent visas in most cases only partially offset the cost of Parent migrants to the budget.

In addition to the permanent Parent visa program, the Government facilitates short-term family reunification through temporary visas, which allow for a temporary stay in Australia, which can be utilised by parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens:

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa (SPTV) allows parents of Australian sponsors to visit Australia for up to three or five years at one time, for a combined maximum stay of up to 10 years.

Visitor visas are available for the purposes of a short term stay in Australia, including family visits. Visitor visa policy also allows for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to be granted Visitor visas with visa validity periods greater than the standard 12 months.

Thank you for bring petition EN6630 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigrations and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

National Disability Insurance Scheme

Dear Ms Templeman

I refer to your letter of 18 November 2024 concerning petition EN6645 to the House of Representatives to allow Psoriatic Arthritis to be included in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) determines eligibility based on functional impairment, not diagnosis. This means no condition, including Psoriatic Arthritis, can be automatically included in the NDIS.

Anyone with a disability is able to access the NDIS if they meet the requirements set out in the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, including age, residency and disability or early intervention requirements.

Generally, a person will be eligible for the NDIS if their impairment is, or is likely to be, permanent and causes a substantial reduction in their capacity to do one or more daily life activities, including moving around, communicating, socializing, learning, undertaking self-care, or self-management tasks.

Many participants have medical conditions they manage alongside impairments arising from their disability. In making decisions, the NDIA must consider the roles and responsibilities of mainstream service systems, such as health, in supporting people with disability and fulfilling universal service obligations to all Australians.

Australia's health system continues to be responsible for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of health conditions. This includes treatment of chronic health conditions, acute and post-acute care, and palliative care. Accordingly, people with impairments that are not eligible for the NDIS and require health related interventions, are more appropriately supported by the health system.

Further information about testing eligibility for the NDIS is available on the NDIS website at:

www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis.

I appreciate you bringing this matter to my attention. I trust this information clarifies the matter.

Yours sincerely,

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

Freedom of Speech

Dear Ms Templeman

I refer to your correspondence of 18 November 2024 regarding Petition EN6661 which calls for the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (the Bill) to be rejected.

On 24 November 2024, the Australian Government announced that it will not proceed with the Bill, given there is no clear pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate.

The Bill was about looking under the hood of the digital platforms to verify how digital platforms already take actions to moderate content and hold big tech to account for their efforts to prevent and minimise the spread of harmful mis- and disinformation. This included:

addressing seriously harmful content with measures around the use of algorithms, bots, fake accounts, malicious deep fakes, advertising, and monetisation;

the publication of risk assessments, policies, and reports;

a data access scheme for independent researchers;

empowering users with complaints and dispute procedures to challenge the content moderation decisions of platforms; and,

measures to support media literacy.

The Bill did not include fines for everyday Australians posting on their social media accounts, and would not have required the removal of content unless it was disinformation involving inauthentic behaviour such as bots or troll farms.

Thank you for taking the time to write and I trust this information will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Ms Rowland

Human Rights: Biosecurity

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 18 November 2024 regarding Petition EN6666 in relation to the introduction of legislation to protect and enshrine human rights.

The Australian Government is committed to promoting human rights to ensure that all Australians are able to participate fully in our democracy, our economy and our society. Human rights in Australia are recognised and protected through the Australian Constitution, the common law and a range of laws at the federal, state and territory levels.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus KC

Migration: Regional Visa Holders

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 18 November 2024 enclosing Petition EN6687, with 280 signatures, concerning the processing of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa applications. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

Migration is a critical part of Australia's social and financial development as a nation. Immigration provides our businesses with the skills they need, stimulates demand for goods and services, and increases our economic output. I am committed to maintaining strong borders and delivering an orderly and compassionate immigration strategy that is tailored to the needs of the nation.

The Australian Government released the Migration Strategy ("the Strategy") in December last year. A key objective of the Strategy is building stronger Australian communities by better planning the migration intake. This will better connect skilled migrants to Australia's skill needs, helping to reignite productivity growth, which will ensure rising living standards, business growth and better wages.

Reducing the number of on-hand visa applications, including in the subclass 191 caseload, has been a priority for the Australian Government. The Department of Home Affairs has been undertaking a range of measures to reduce the processing times for this type of application, and additional resources have been assigned to the caseload.

Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, as outlined in Ministerial Direction 105. Under the Ministerial Direction, for applications which are not employer sponsored and in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area, the highest priority is being afforded to those visa applications made in relation to healthcare or teaching occupations.

As subclass 191 visa applications are not made in relation to a specific occupation, they are given lower priority, and are generally processed in the order in which they were received.

Currently, 90 per cent of subclass 191 visas are processed within nine months, which is consistent with the processing times for other general skilled migration visa applications. The Department continues to process these applications efficiently, with the intention to further reduce the total number on-hand.

It should be noted that each application is unique and is required to meet the eligibility criteria contained in Australia's migration legislation, before a visa can be granted. The time taken to process an application varies depending on a range of circumstances, such as the complexity of the application and whether additional checks and further assessment are required. Some delays in processing are experienced due to character and security checks, along with verification of an applicant's claims.

More detail regarding visa requirements, processing priorities for skilled visa applications and processing timeframes is available on the Department's website.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6687 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Bangladesh

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence referring petition number EN6691 regarding violence against Hindus, other religious and indigenous communities in Bangladesh.

The Australian Government understands this is matter of great concern to the Bangladeshi community in Australia, and to many Australians with family, friends and connections in Bangladesh. I offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives or been injured.

During the civil unrest in Bangladesh, I repeatedly called on all parties to cease violence, de-escalate the situation and respect universal human rights. The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP, also raised human rights concerns with members of Bangladesh's Interim Government during his visit to Bangladesh on 31 October and 1 November. Minister Burke also met representatives from Bangladesh's Hindu, Christian and Buddhist communities to hear their concerns.

Australia strongly supports the independent investigation into all alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh between 1 July and 15 August that is being conducted by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The OHCHR has been tasked with establishing facts, identifying responsibilities, analysing root causes and providing recommendations on next steps. Its report will be completed by the end of the year.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Murray River

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 18 November 2024 about VIP—(Standing Committee on Petitions, Templeman MP)—Maintain a navigable water channel from Goolwa South Australia through to Mildura—Petition Ministerial Referral (EN6692).

Tourism, including activities that rely on having a navigable river, is an important part of our River Murray communities. As you have pointed out, the Murray Darling Basin Agreement (the Agreement), which has superseded the River Murray Waters Agreement of 1915, includes provisions for navigation.

The Agreement requires the state government nominated to operate the respective weir and lock, maintain immediately downstream of the lock, such depth of water sufficient for the navigation of vessels drawing 1.4 metres of water unless determined otherwise by the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

The Agreement further allows for dredging works upstream of the relevant weirs from time to time to support navigability. This is limited to occasions when the works have been approved in the respective work plans or during an emergency.

In other words, maintaining a navigable channel through the weir pool and immediately downstream is the responsibility of the respective state governments.

I understand that the current work plan for the operation and maintenance of the locks and weirs includes the maintenance of navigable depth immediately downstream but does not include dredging of the weir pool upstream of the weir.

I will raise the issue of boat navigation through weir pools with my Joint Government partners of the Murray Darling Basin Agreement at our next meeting. Regarding issues of navigation immediately downstream of the locks and weirs, I encourage you to reach out to the respective state agencies.

In South Australia, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)—Marine Safety SA are the agency responsible for boat navigation. For concerns and reporting of hazards it is best to contact dit.marinesafety@sa.gov.au (marked to the attention of "Marine Safety & Compliance Unit").

In New South Wales, NSW Maritime are the agency responsible. They are aware of the hazards below Lock 7 and have a warning in place for that reach of the river (see NSW Maritime Marine Notice No. SO2430). If you would like to get in touch with them to discuss this further, please contact NSW Maritime by phone on 13 12 36.

Thank you again for bringing petition EN6692 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for the Environment and Water, Ms Plibersek

Falung Gong

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 14 May 2024 regarding petition PN0605 about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The Australian Government is deeply concerned that minorities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners, continue to be targeted on the basis of their beliefs. I have raised our concerns about freedom of belief directly with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, most recently in March this year. Representatives of my office and my department met Falun Gong community members in March to discuss human rights concerns and the detention of family members.

We are aware of the statement by twelve UN experts of 14 June 2021 on allegations of 'organ harvesting' targeting minorities in detention, including Falun Gong practitioners. The Government has expressed concern to China regarding allegations of organ trafficking on a number of occasions. The Australian Government will continue to examine closely allegations of organ trafficking in China and, as appropriate, raise the issue with China.

The Australian Government is committed to preventing organ trafficking more broadly and will continue to monitor transplantation practices of other countries and regularly review available evidence as new reports are published.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Australia Post

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 4 November 2024 regarding a petition (PN0623) requesting Australia Post to retain the Spit Junction Post Office in Mosman, New South Wales. I apologise for the delay in responding but wanted to ensure this response provided relevant information to assist you.

I acknowledge the concerns raised in the petition about the closure of the Post Office and the impact this may have on residents, in particular the elderly and people with limited mobility being able to access postal and other services in the area.

Australia Post is required to perform its functions consistent with sound commercial practice and meet a range of performance standards outlined in the Australian Postal Corporation (Performance Standards) Regulations 2019. Under the Performance Standards Regulations, Australia Post is required to maintain 4,000 post offices, including 2,500 in non-metropolitan locations. As at 30 June 2024, Australia Post maintained 4,198 retail outlets, which exceeded the regulatory requirement of 4,000.

The Australian Government has not reduced the minimum number of post offices that Australia Post must maintain. Post Office closures within regulatory requirements are a decision for Australia Post, and the Government expects that any closures are operationally necessary and will be done in consultation with affected stakeholders.

Australia Post's day to day operations are the responsibility of its board and management. By law, it is legally and financially separate from the Government and does not receive financial support from the Government.

Australia Post has advised that the Spit Junction Post Office experienced significant financial losses, driven by a continued decline in customers, making it financially unviable.

The community can access postal services at the nearby Mosman Post Office which is less than one kilometre away and there are 10 alternative outlets within five kilometres of the Spit Junction Post Office. In addition, Australia Post has established nearby a new self-service hub with 24/7 parcel lockers, Post Office Boxes and a vending machine selling postal products.

The Government will continue to work with Australia Post, licensees and communities so that services meet the needs of modern Australia, consistent with existing regulatory requirements.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Communications, Ms Rowland

Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 1 December 2023 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, enclosing Petition EN5547, with 259 signatures, concerning Visa 309 Processing time in Amman Office. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

I acknowledge the concerns expressed in the petition regarding processing times for Partner visa applications assessed in the Department of Home Affairs' office in Amman. I also note that similar concerns regarding Partner visa processing times were raised in earlier Petitions presented to the Standing Committee on Petitions, albeit not specific to the Amman or other offshore visa processing offices.

The Department aims to process all Partner visa application as quickly as is practicable. Actual processing timeframes can vary depending on a number of factors that may include, but are not limited to, the quality and completeness of applications, the applicants' responsiveness to requests for information, and the complexity involved in assessing relationship, character, health and security requirements.

Concerning Partner visa processing at the Department's offshore offices, I can advise that the Department manages the allocation of resources to deliver the Family program in line with the planning levels and priorities set by the Government.

Since 2021-22, the Partner visa program has operated under a fully global processing model, allowing better distribution of the caseload across various processing locations in and outside Australia. The model ensures a greater degree of consistency in visa processing and program delivery, and allows for more agile responses to external impacts on the program, such as COVID-19 and other regional crisis.

In addition, the model allows decision ready applications to be easily identified and finalised. However, complex cases will continue to require greater scrutiny and longer times to finalise, and processing times may still vary between processing locations.

I acknowledge that applicants may be separated from their partners for extended periods while awaiting a decision on their Partner visa application. If a specific case is needing more urgent consideration, the Department has a Partner Visa Enquiry Form which applicants can access via the Department's website to request priortisation on compassionate and compelling grounds. See:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form.

Requests for priority consideration from Partner visa applicants are extremely common, including due to the ongoing security, political and economic instability in many areas of the Middle East region. As a result, to be considered for priority processing, the nature of circumstances presented as compassionate needs to be an exception to the daily circumstances faced by the majority of Partner applicants.

Thank you for bringing petition EN5547 to my attention. I trust the above information is useful.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Energy

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5580.

I welcome the public's views on Australia's tax system and value the interest the public takes in public policy. These representations are valuable and inform considerations of the policy issues to which they relate.

The GST applies to most goods and services, with only a limited number of exemptions in areas such as health and education. The revenue from the GST, though levied by the Commonwealth Government, is provided to the states and territories. This provides a secure source of funding to assist them in providing essential services to the community.

Under the Commonwealth legislation and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, any change to the application of GST, such as the application of GST to electricity, would require the unanimous support of the states and territories.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5640 to make it illegal for all business to not accept cash.

The Government understands the important role cash still plays in our payments system and supports Australians having continued access to cash. Cash is an important payment method for some people, including those unable to use digital payments and those in regional areas, and plays a vital role in their inclusion in the wider economy. Cash is still accepted by up to 94 per cent of merchants as a means of payment, is used as a store of value, and supports payment system resilience during digital payment outages.

On 7 June 2023, the Strategic Plan for Australia's Payments System was released. It details the Government's priorities and objectives in relation to payments and includes a commitment to continued cash access for Australians. You can find the plan at: www.treasury.gov.au/publication/p2023-404960.

On 18 November 2024, the Government announced that it will introduce a mandate requiring businesses to accept cash when selling essential items, with appropriate exemptions for small businesses. Mandating cash for essential purchases, such as groceries and fuel, means those who rely on cash will not be left behind.

On 20 December 2024, a consultation paper was issued to seek feedback on which businesses supplying essential goods and services should be covered by the mandate. The consultation will consider the needs of those who rely on cash, including people in regional areas and those unable to use digital payments. It will also consider whether further steps are required to ensure the long-term and sustainable distribution of cash to enable adequate access. The paper is available at:

www.treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2024-604832.

The final details of the mandate will be announced in 2025, and subject to outcomes from consultation, the mandate would commence from 1 January 2026.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Goods and Services Tax: Allied Health Services

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5674.

I recognise the value that exercise physiology services can provide to members of the community to support their wellbeing.

The goods and services tax (GST) applies broadly to goods and services, with only a limited number of exemptions in areas such as health and education. Limiting the number of exemptions helps to minimise complexity in the GST system.

The revenue from GST, though levied by the Commonwealth Government, is provided to the states and territories. This provides a secure source of funding to assist them in providing essential services to the community.

Under Commonwealth legislation and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, changing the application of GST, such as to exercise physiology services, would require the unanimous support of the states and territories.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Goods and Services Tax: Allied Health Services

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5701.

I recognise the value that exercise physiology services can provide to members of the community to support their wellbeing.

The goods and services tax (GST) applies broadly to goods and services, with only a limited number of exemptions in areas such as health and education. Limiting the number of exemptions helps to minimise complexity in the GST system.

The revenue from GST, though levied by the Commonwealth Government, is provided to the states and territories. This provides a secure source of funding to assist them in providing essential services to the community.

Under Commonwealth legislation and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, changing the application of GST, such as to exercise physiology services, would require the unanimous support of the states and territories.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 26 February 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, enclosing Petition EN5750, with 105 signatures, concerning long processing times for offshore Partner visa. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

I acknowledge the concerns expressed in the petition regarding processing times for Partner visa applications assessed in the Department of Home Affairs' office in Amman. I also note that similar concerns regarding Partner visa processing times were raised in an earlier Petition, 'Visa 309 Processing time in Amman Office (EN5547)'.

The Department aims to process all Partner visa applications as quickly as is practicable. Actual processing timeframes can vary depending on a number of factors that may include, but are not limited to, the quality and completeness of applications, the applicants' responsiveness to requests for information, and the complexity involved in assessing relationship, character, health and security requirements.

Concerning Partner visa processing at the Department's offshore offices, I can advise that the Department manages the allocation of resources to deliver the Family program in line with the planning levels and priorities set by the Government.

Since 2021-22, the Partner visa program has operated under a fully global processing model, allowing better distribution of the caseload across various processing locations in and outside Australia. The model ensures a greater degree of consistency in visa processing and program delivery, and allows for more agile responses to external impacts on the program, such as COVID-19 and regional crisis.

In addition, the model allows decision ready applications to be easily identified and finalised. However, complex cases will continue to require greater scrutiny and longer times to finalise, and processing times may still vary between processing locations.

I acknowledge that applicants may be separated from their partners for extended periods while awaiting a decision on their Partner visa application. If a specific case is needing more urgent consideration, the Department has a Partner Visa Enquiry Form which applicants can access via the Department's website to request prioritisation on compassionate and compelling grounds at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form.

Requests for priority consideration from Partner visa applicants are extremely common, including due to the ongoing security, political and economic instability in many areas of the Middle East region. As a result, to be considered for priority processing, the nature of circumstances presented as compassionate needs to be an exception to the daily circumstances faced by the majority of Partner applicants.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN5750 to my attention. I trust the above information is useful.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Health Care: Goods and Services Tax

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5850.

I recognise the value that exercise physiology services can provide to members of the community to support their wellbeing.

The goods and services tax (GST) applies broadly to goods and services, with only a limited number of exemptions in areas such as health and education. Limiting the number of exemptions helps to minimise complexity in the GST system.

The revenue from GST, though levied by the Commonwealth Government, is provided to the states and territories. This provides a secure source of funding to assist them in providing essential services to the community.

Under Commonwealth legislation and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, changing the application of GST, such as to exercise physiology services, would require the unanimous support of the states and territories.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Banking and Financial Services

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN5960.

The Government understands the important role cash still plays in our payments system and supports Australians having continued access to cash. Cash is an important payment method for some people, including those unable to use digital payments and those in regional areas, and plays a vital role in their inclusion in the wider economy. Cash is still accepted by up to 94 per cent of merchants as a means of payment, is used as a store of value, and supports payment system resilience during digital payment outages.

On 7 June 2023, the Strategic Plan for Australia's Payments System was released. It details the Government's priorities and objectives in relation to payments and includes a commitment to continued cash access for Australians. You can find the plan at: www.treasury.gov.au/publication/p2023-404960.

On 18 November 2024, the Government announced that it will introduce a mandate requiring businesses to accept cash when selling essential items, with appropriate exemptions for small businesses. Mandating cash for essential purchases, such as groceries and fuel, means those who rely on cash will not be left behind.

On 20 December 2024, a consultation paper was issued to seek feedback on which businesses supplying essential goods and services should be covered by the mandate. The consultation will consider the needs of those who rely on cash, including people in regional areas and those unable to use digital payments. It will also consider whether further steps are required to ensure the long-term and sustainable distribution of cash to enable adequate access. The paper is available at:

www.treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2024-604832.

The final details of the mandate will be announced in 2025, and subject to outcomes from consultation, the mandate would commence from 1 January 2026.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Skilled Migration

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 June 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, enclosing Petition EN6116, with 59 signatures, concerning prioritising onshore Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Temporary Residence Transition stream applicants. Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities.

Ministerial Direction No. 105 prioritises applications for certain skilled visa subclasses that count towards the migration program, of which the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream applies. This visa stream allows skilled workers who are nominated by their employer, to live and work in Australia permanently.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6116 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

International Students

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your correspondence of 24 June 2024 to the former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP enclosing Petition EN6198, with 21,298 signatures, concerning the reduction of the maximum eligible age in the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa (TGV). Your correspondence has been referred to me as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibilities. I appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to my attention.

The Migration Strategy, released on 11 December 2023, outlined the Australian Government's vision for getting migration working for the nation and building a migration system that delivers for workers, businesses and all Australians. It outlined a suite of broader structural reforms aimed to ensure that our most highly skilled international graduates drive long term prosperity by transitioning to permanent visas as soon as possible. Key objectives of the Migration Strategy are to build stronger communities and reduce migrant worker exploitation by reducing the number of migrants who are permanently temporary.

Lowering the age eligibility from 50 to 35 years or under for the TGV supports the wider objective of reducing 'permanent temporariness' and repositions the visa as a visa for early career professionals to gain valuable work experience. This change applied from 1 July 2024.

I am pleased to advise that the postgraduate research sector was excluded from the age eligibility reforms, meaning that Masters by Research and PhD graduates can continue to apply for a TGV if they are under 50 years of age. This concession recognises the contribution these graduates make to Australia's research and innovation capabilities and the Australian workforce. The Government is not currently considering reducing eligibility requirements for other university graduates given the alternate visa pathways available.

Further information on the 1 July 2024 changes to the TGV program, including the age reduction, is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/changes.

Thank you for bringing Petition EN6198 to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Burke

Israel

Dear Chair

Thank you for your email of 12 August 2024 regarding petition number EN6288 concerning arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), expelling the Israeli Ambassador and ceasing all export permits for weapons to Israel.

I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to explain how Australia has been contributing to global efforts to end this war.

Many Australians are understandably traumatised by the past year in the Middle East. Every day we see more unbearable scenes. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023: the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and almost 100 hostages still held. And in Israel's response: 46,000 Palestinians killed—including more than 13,000 children. Almost two million Palestinians facing starvation.

While this conflict might be far away, it has been close to many in Australia. Some have lost family—or have loved ones in danger. On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. That's why we have been so focused on partnering with other countries that also want to end this war, deliver lifesaving aid, and uphold international law. It's only by being active in the international community that we can build momentum for peace.

Australia welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza after 15 months of conflict and a devastating loss of civilian life. Australia has consistently been part of the international call for a ceasefire and release of hostages. It is more than a year since Australia voted for a ceasefire with 152 other countries at the United Nations General Assembly. As the conflict spread to Lebanon, we called for a ceasefire alongside dozens of others including the European Union and regional leaders Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

As well as our co-ordinated calls for ceasefire and the release of hostages, we act in concert with other donors to provide lifesaving aid. Australia has committed more than $90 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. We have also doubled our annual funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Australia works with Canada, New Zealand and other supporters of international law, including by backing the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the ICC. The Netanyahu Government must comply with the ICJ's binding orders, including enabling the provision of basic services and enabling humanitarian assistance at scale. Concerning the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants, the Government has been clear that Australia will consistently with its obligations under international law.

International law includes the UN Charter that allows countries to defend themselves—and the Geneva Conventions that protect civilians during wars. Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price of defeating Hamas.

In pressing for change, we consider the full range of tools we have available—diplomacy and dialogue, working in coalitions, multilateral forums, legislation, public statements. Sanctions are not our only choice in sending other countries a message, and they are rarely our first choice.

When Australia does apply sanctions, we co-ordinate with partners. That's what makes them effective. We joined a large number of countries in condemning and sanctioning Hamas, Hizballah and others for their terrorism. Just as we have partnered in sanctioning Israeli extremist settlers for their violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Australia maintains diplomatic relations with many countries because it is in our national interests to do so, even where we do not agree with everything those countries do. More than 160 countries maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and we have been using our diplomatic ties to press Israel to adhere to international law, to coordinate consular assistance for Australians and their families wanting to leave Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Regarding Australians serving with the IDF, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not track the movements of Australians overseas. Under the Criminal Code Act 1995, it is an offence for Australians to engage in hostile activities overseas, unless serving in or with the armed forces of a foreign country. This legislation discourages Australians from fighting in overseas conflicts and endangering their lives and the lives of others. The Government encourages all Australians who seek to serve with the armed forces of a foreign country to carefully consider their legal obligations, and ensure their conduct does not constitute a criminal offence.

All-or-nothing demands do nothing to end the Middle East cycle of violence. That can only happen when the promise of two states is fulfilled—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

Right now, this seems a distant prospect. It is bitterly opposed by Hamas, who seek to end the Jewish state. It is also not supported by many in the Netanyahu Government. But Palestinians have a right to self-determination, and Israel's own long-term security requires a two-state solution. We will continue working with the international community to press toward this goal.

In May 2024, Australia was one of 143 countries to vote in support of Palestinian aspirations for full membership of the UN -where I also called for a timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood. No previous Australian government has taken these steps.

I understand Australians have wanted their government to make this war end. But this isn't Vietnam or Iraq—Australia is not contributing to the war. Nor have we supplied weapons for it. There is a big difference between Australia wanting to end this war—and being able to do it on our own.

The ceasefire and hostage agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region. It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people. We are urging all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza.

Australia will continue working with the international community towards a two-state solution—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

Thank you very much for your correspondence on this important matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Taxation: Alcohol

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN6504 on alcohol excise tax. I note the petitioner's comments on alcohol taxation, and his specific suggestion to freeze the rate of excise.

Biannual indexation in accordance with the Consumer Price Index is a longstanding feature of the alcohol tax system. It ensures that alcohol excise amounts keep pace with inflation and that the tax component of alcoholic beverages remains broadly stable as a proportion of their total price. Without biannual indexation, the real value of alcohol excise would fall over time as alcohol prices rise in line with inflation.

Consistent with the Australian Government's National Drug Strategy for 2017-2026, excise is imposed on alcohol to help address the social and economic costs associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Revenue from excise, including alcohol excise, goes to fund essential services of benefit to the whole community, such as health and education.

The Government continually monitors the adequacy of all tax settings, current settings balance a variety of policy objectives such as health, industry support, control of illicit goods, consumer choice, and collecting revenue for essential services.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Sport: Equal Pay for Equal Play

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 November 2024 regarding petition EN6567 on equal opportunities and pay for women and men in sport.

The Australian Government is committed to gender equity in Australia. Important steps towards this goal include giving women and girls equal opportunities to participate in sport at all levels of competition and making sure that elite female athletes receive fair pay and recognition for their achievements.

While there are no plans to introduce laws requiring equal pay or prize money for female athletes, the Government is committed to improving outcomes and opportunities available for women and girls. For example, the Government is providing $200 million over three years through the Play Our Way program for local facilities and initiatives that break down the participation barriers faced by women and girls in their communities.

The Government is also setting a good example for the sport sector by directly funding elite athletes in a fair and equitable way. The Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) direct athlete support scheme provides funding equally to women and men in Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. The ASC is also leading other initiatives, including the Women Leaders in Sport program, to empower women in sport and foster cultures within sporting organisations which value and promote gender equity.

While the Government works closely with sports, individual sporting organisations are responsible for the salaries and prize money for their athletes.

I am pleased to see some things are improving for women's sport. Increased media coverage and sponsorship of women's sport in recent years is helping to generate more revenue and higher pay for female athletes.

Australia's joint hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was a great success. FIFA, the world governing body for football, significantly increased the prize money for the tournament and has plans for equal payments for the 2026 Men's and 2027 Women's World Cups. The Matildas now enjoy incredible community support and the momentum surrounding the team is giving women's sport in general a huge boost in Australia.

In September 2024, I announced the National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy to increase the number of women in governance and leadership roles across sport. The national policy is the first of its kind in Australia.

The Government's commitment to improving gender equity is not only limited to sport. In 2023, Parliament passed the Closing the Gender Pay Gap Bill, which among other things, requires private sector employers to publicly share their gender pay gap data. This is an important step towards seeing employer action to close the gender pay gap.

Thank you for bringing these matters to my attention.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Sport, Ms Wells

Israel

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your letter regarding EN6585 pertaining to requests for the Australian Government to sanction the State of Israel.

I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to explain how Australia has been contributing to global efforts to end this war.

Many Australians are understandably traumatised by the past year in the Middle East. Every day we see more unbearable scenes. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023: the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and almost 100 hostages still held. And in Israel's response: 46,000 Palestinians killed—including more than 13,000 children. Almost two million Palestinians facing starvation.

While this conflict might be far away, it has been close to many in Australia. Some have lost family—or have loved ones in danger. On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. That's why we have been so focused on partnering with other countries that also want to end this war, deliver lifesaving aid, and uphold international law. It's only by being active in the international community that we can build momentum for peace.

Australia welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza after 15 months of conflict and a devastating loss of civilian life. Australia has consistently been part of the international call for a ceasefire and release of hostages. It is more than a year since Australia voted for a ceasefire with 152 other countries at the United Nations General Assembly. As the conflict spread to Lebanon, we called for a ceasefire alongside dozens of others including the European Union and regional leaders Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

As well as our co-ordinated calls for ceasefire and the release of hostages, we act in concert with other donors to provide lifesaving aid. Australia has committed more than $90 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. We have also doubled our annual funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Australia works with Canada, New Zealand and other supporters of international law, including by backing the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. International law includes the UN Charter that allows countries to defend themselves—and the Geneva Conventions that protect civilians during wars. Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price of defeating Hamas.

In pressing for change, we consider the full range of tools we have available—diplomacy and dialogue, working in coalitions, multilateral forums, legislation, public statements. Sanctions are not our only choice in sending other countries a message, and they are rarely our first choice.

When Australia does apply sanctions, we co-ordinate with partners. That's what makes them effective. We joined a large number of countries in condemning and sanctioning Hamas, Hizballah and others for their terrorism. Just as we have partnered in sanctioning Israeli extremist settlers for their violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

All-or-nothing demands do nothing to end the Middle East cycle of violence. That can only happen when the promise of two states is fulfilled—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

Right now, this seems a distant prospect. It is bitterly opposed by Hamas, who seek to end the Jewish state. It is also not supported by many in the Netanyahu Government. But Palestinians have a right to self-determination, and Israel's own long-term security requires a two-state solution. We will continue working with the international community to press toward this goal.

In May 2024, Australia was one of 143 countries to vote in support of Palestinian aspirations for full membership of the UN—where I also called for a timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood. No previous Australian government has taken these steps.

I understand Australians have wanted their government to make this war end. But this isn't Vietnam or Iraq—Australia is not contributing to the war. Nor have we supplied weapons for it. There is a big difference between Australia wanting to end this war—and being able to do it on our own.

The ceasefire and hostage agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region. It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people. We are urging all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza.

Australia will continue working with the international community towards a two-state solution—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

I trust this information is of assistance to your petitioners.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Housing: Strata Management

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence concerning Petition EN6638 regarding an urgent federal review of strata management practices.

I note the concerns raised by petitioners in response to recent investigative reports into the strata industry. The Government is committed to ensuring strong protections for Australian consumers, including strata residents, and we appreciate suggestions to inform consideration of these matters.

In Australia, states and territories have primary policy responsibility for the regulation of strata schemes, including through state or territory-specific laws providing for the establishment, governance and regulation of strata schemes and strata managers. In some cases, these laws include restrictions and requirements relating to strata management arrangements, and specifically remove the application of certain Commonwealth regulation.

The matters raised in the investigative reports referenced by the petition largely relate to the conduct of strata managers, and the potential that some strata manager behaviour may be in breach of state and territory regulations, in violation of duties owed to owners' corporations as their delegate agent. The Government therefore considers states and territories are better placed to investigate the matters raised, to determine whether regulatory reform is necessary.

You may be interested to note Commonwealth, state and territory Consumers Ministers considered consumer issues in the strata sector at the Consumer Ministers Network meeting on 10 December 2024. Ministers discussed recent steps taken to uplift consumer protections and agreed to report on progress throughout 2025, as they continue to identify opportunities for harmonisation and meaningful uplift in standards to protect strata residents. A copy of the communique associated with this meeting is available at:

www.ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/consumer-affairs-ministers-renew-commitment-protecting.

I trust this information will be of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

from the Treasurer, Mr Chalmers

Middle East

Dear Ms Templeman

Thank you for your letter regarding EN6653 on the conflict in the Middle East.

I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to explain how Australia has been contributing to global efforts to end this war.

Many Australians are understandably traumatised by the past year in the Middle East. Every day we see more unbearable scenes. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023: the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and almost 100 hostages still held. And in Israel's response: 46,000 Palestinians killed—including more than 13,000 children. Almost two million Palestinians facing starvation.

While this conflict might be far away, it has been close to many in Australia. Some have lost family- or have loved ones in danger. On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. That's why we have been so focused on partnering with other countries that also want to end this war, deliver lifesaving aid, and uphold international law. It's only by being active in the international community that we can build momentum for peace.

Australia welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza after 15 months of conflict and a devastating loss of civilian life. Australia has consistently been part of the international call for a ceasefire and release of hostages. It is more than a year since Australia voted for a ceasefire with 152 other countries at the United Nations General Assembly. As the conflict spread to Lebanon, we called for a ceasefire alongside dozens of others including the European Union and regional leaders Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

As well as our co-ordinated calls for ceasefire and the release of hostages, we act in concert with other donors to provide lifesaving aid. Australia has committed more than $90 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. We have also doubled our annual funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Australia works with Canada, New Zealand and other supporters of international law, including by backing the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. We are clear that the Netanyahu Government must comply with their binding orders, including enabling the provision of basic services and enabling humanitarian assistance at scale. International law includes the UN Charter that allows countries to defend themselves—and the Geneva Conventions that protect civilians during wars. Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price of defeating Hamas.

Australia has joined a large number of countries in condemning and sanctioning Hamas, Hizballah and others for their terrorism. Just as we have partnered in sanctioning Israeli extremist settlers for their violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

All-or-nothing demands do nothing to end the Middle East cycle of violence. That can only happen when the promise of two states is fulfilled—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

Right now, this seems a distant prospect. It is bitterly opposed by Hamas, who seek to end the Jewish state. It is also not supported by many in the Netanyahu Government. But Palestinians have a right to self-determination, and Israel's own long-term security requires a two-state solution. We will continue working with the international community to press toward this goal.

In May 2024, Australia was one of 143 countries to vote in support of Palestinian aspirations for full membership of the UN—where I also called for a timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood. No previous Australian government has taken these steps.

I understand Australians have wanted their government to make this war end. But this isn't Vietnam or Iraq -Australia is not contributing to the war. Nor have we supplied weapons for it. There is a big difference between Australia wanting to end this war—and being able to do it on our own.

The ceasefire and hostage agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region. It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people. We are urging all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza.

Australia will continue working with the international community towards a two-state solution—a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong

Public Sector Governance

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 18 November 2024 regarding Petition EN6670 on the release the sealed chapter of the report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

On 13 November 2023 the Australian Government released its response to the report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, accepting, or accepting in principle, all 56 recommendations made by the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission's findings align with the priorities and reforms the Australian Government took to the Australian people at the last election—building trust in government, investing in a capable public sector, delivering strong institutions and ensuring humans are put back at the centre of human services and service delivery. The Government remains committed to implementing the Royal Commission's recommendations, involving efforts from across the public service.

On 30 October 2024 the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (the Inspector) published the Report of their investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (Commission) decision not to investigate refe1rnls from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. The Inspector recommended that the decision not to investigate the referrals be reconsidered by an appropriate person. This recommendation was accepted by the Commission.

By design, the Commission is subject to robust and independent oversight, including through the establishment of the Inspector. The release of the Inspector's report demonstrates that oversight is functioning as the Parliament intended.

On 7 November 2024 I issued a statement indicating that the Government proposes to publish the confidential chapter at the first appropriate opportunity. The statement indicates that the Government had planned to table the confidential chapter in the House of Representatives in the Parliamentary sitting week of 4 to 8 November 2024, but is now considering the appropriate timing following release of the report of the Inspector.

On 13 December 2024 the Commission announced the appointment of the Hon Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, as the independent delegate who will reconsider the referrals made to the Commission by the Royal Commission. The Government has sought advice from Mr Nettle on the question of tabling the confidential chapter.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus KC

Medicinal Cannabis

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 3 November 2024 regarding petition number PN0624 on medicinal cannabis cost issues and access through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for everyone that needs it.

I am aware many Australians are experiencing difficulties with the cost of medicinal cannabis, and that patients are reporting benefits since commencing treatment with the medicine. I acknowledge the challenges of each patient's experience and would like to thank you for sharing the petition.

The Australian Government enables access to affordable medicines by listing medicines on the PBS that have been recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). The PBAC is an independent and expert body, comprising doctors, health professionals, health economists and consumer representatives. Under legislation, the Government can only list a medicine on the PBS when the PBAC recommends doing so. Similarly, the Government relies on the advice of the PBAC before changing an existing PBS listing.

When the PBAC evaluates applications for PBS subsidy, it is legally required to consider effectiveness and cost of the medicine, compared to alternative treatments. There is no legal provision for subsidised supply of a non-PBS-listed medicine, or for a PBS-listed medicine outside the terms of its listing (or specific restrictions). No exceptions are permitted for individual patients, even in particular cases where the medicine might be beneficial or recommended on clinical grounds.

Medicinal cannabis products are regulated medicines in Australia. Medicines are not generally made available on the PBS to treat conditions for which they have not been approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This is important because the PBS listing process relies.in part on the assessment of quality, safety and efficacy that serves as the basis for TGA registration.

The TGA provides safe and legal access to medicinal cannabis in appropriate circumstances. Epidyolex(R) (cannabidiol) is registered by the TGA for seizures associated with Lennox Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome and is PBS listed for these indications. Sativex(R) (nabiximols) is registered by the TGA for moderate to severe multiple sclerosis but is currently not listed on the PBS.

Sativex was considered by PBAC for PBS listing in 2013 and again in March 2020. The PBAC did not recommend listing at those times, due to limited evidence to demonstrate clinical efficacy and safety compared with standard treatment. Other than Sativex and Epidyolex, all other medicinal cannabis products are considered 'unapproved,' meaning they have not been evaluated by the TGA for safety, quality and efficacy.

The TGA encourages the use of medicines which have been approved in Australia and included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). However, for various reasons, there are times when approved and available products may not meet the needs of all patients and clinical situations. In recognition of this, there are provisions that allow doctors and patients to access 'unapproved' treatments such as medicinal cannabis. These provisions include the Special Access Scheme (SAS) and Authorised Prescriber (AP) scheme.

Individuals are encouraged to speak to their treating doctor about the appropriateness of seeking access to 'unapproved' medicinal cannabis products for their individual circumstances. It is expected that the prescribing health practitioner will have considered all appropriate treatment options included on the ARTG and available in Australia, prior to considering accessing an unapproved good under the SAS or AP scheme for their patient(s).

The Government has no control over the price a supplier charges for 'unapproved' medicines. In some circumstances, a pharmaceutical company may be willing to supply its product at a reduced cost through a 'compassionate access' program. Decisions to grant access to such programs is one made by the company alone, and not by the Government. Individuals or their prescribing health practitioner may wish to contact the relevant company to enquire about the availability of such access programs.

Additionally, private health insurance subsidy of medicines is a matter for insurance companies. Some private health insurance providers may cover the cost of medicinal cannabis products. Individuals can contact their relevant health insurance provider for further information.

All aspects of patient care, including recommendations about appropriate treatments and interpretation of PBS eligibility and access, are the responsibility of the patient's treating doctor. I encourage patients to discuss information in this letter with their treating doctor.

Thank you for writing on this matter.

Yours sincerely

from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Butler

Child Labour

Dear Chair

Thank you for your correspondence of 25 November 2024 regarding Petition PN0626 requesting the Government to ensure all chocolate sold in Australia is free from child labour.

The Australian Government considers the worst forms of child labour and other forms of modern slavery, no matter where they occur, to be abhorrent crimes that have no place in our society. Modern slavery is a serious issue and the Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen its already comprehensive response to modern slavery at home and abroad.

The Government is strengthening our framework towards ensuring the supply chains Australians use do not promote, condone or financially support modern slavery, including by strengthening the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (the Act).

The Act has increased business and government awareness of modern slavery risks, including the worst forms of child labour. The Act requires certain large businesses to report annually on how they are assessing and addressing modern slavery risks in their global supply chains and operations. These risks include those associated with the production and manufacturing of chocolate.

The Government provides support and guidance to businesses to help them report in accordance with the Act. This includes information on the risks of the worst forms of child labour and other forms of modern slavery in supply chains, and the importance of due diligence in relation to addressing modern slavery.

The Government has amended the Act to implement its commitment to establish an independent Anti-Slave1y Commissioner to bolster Australia's response. On 7 November 2024, the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, appointed Chris Evans as the inaugural Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner (the Commissioner) for a period of five years commencing 2 December 2024. The Government has committed $8 million over four years, and $2 million each year thereafter to support the Commissioner's establishment and operation. The Commissioner is a new, independent pillar of Australia's response to modern slavery and will complement existing efforts across government, business and civil society to combat these crimes.

The Commissioner will further strengthen work to prevent and respond to modern slavery by supporting and engaging with victims and survivors, raising community awareness and supporting entities carrying on business in Australia to address the risks of modern slavery practices in their operations and supply chains.

On 2 December 2024, the Government released its response to the report on the statutory review of the Act following careful consideration of the recommendations. The Government agreed in full, in part, or in-principle, to 25 of the 30 recommendations, in line with the Government's commitment to strengthen the Act. The response commits the Government to consulting on potential reforms, including a model for written declarations of a region, location, industry, product, supplier or supply chain that is regarded as carrying a high modern slavery risk.

The Government may consider ways to further strengthen Australia's response to the worst forms of child labour and other forms of modern slave1y consistent with its response to the review of the Act and in consultation with the Commissioner.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

from the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus KC

Statements

Child Care

Medicare

Taxation

Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples: 17th Anniversary

Rearrangement

Pitt, Hon. Warren, AM

National Redress Scheme: Jehovah's Witnesses

Albanese Government: Gambling Advertising

Werriwa Electorate: Macquarie Fields

Indi Electorate: Energy

Women's Health

Warringah Electorate: Roads

Fraser Electorate: Creative West

Farrer Electorate: Health Care

Goodall, Mr Stephen

Federal Election

Szabo, Mr John

Microplastics

Black Saturday Bushfires: 16th Anniversary

O'Hara, Mr Terry, OAM

Cook Electorate: Sports Facilities

Reid Electorate: Women's Health

Capricornia Electorate: Roads

Liberal Party of Australia

Petrie Electorate: Australia Day Awards

Menopause

Tokataake, Hon. Willie

Messner, Hon. Anthony John, AM