The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 17
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
13 November 2023
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Susan Templeman MP
Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP
Mr Sam Birrell MP
Ms Alison Byrnes MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
Mr Garth Hamilton MP
Ms Tracey Roberts MP
Ms Meryl Swanson MP
This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives
Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 13 September 2023 and 18 October 2023.
1. The committee resolved to present the following three petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petition certified on 13 September 2023
From 11291 petitioners—regarding a moratorium on offshore wind turbine developments off the Illawarra coastline (EN5444)
Petitions certified on 18 October 2023
From 641 petitioners—regarding access to treatment for patients on opioid agonist medications (PN0571)
From 150 petitioners—requesting that residency or a visa extension be granted for Mr Peter Hodgson (PN0572)
2. The following 67 ministerial responses to petitions were received:
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 18 October 2023
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the inclusion of forensic psychological interventions under Medicare (EN4157)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding financial support for students undertaking work placements as part of their courses (EN4166)
From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding the regulation of truth in political advertising (EN4167)
From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting that certain grant funding under the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program be rescinded and used for the implementation of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy (EN4188)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 to allow employees to access leave to care for or following the death of a pet (EN4198)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to petitions regarding the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord and proposed International Health Regulations 2005 amendments (EN4203, EN4236, EN4255, EN4266, EN5009, EN5028, EN5029, EN5048)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that individuals be designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment Regulations 2011 for serious corruption in Sri Lanka (EN4213)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action (EN4242)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding Medicare levy payments
(EN4248)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting a review of the Child Support scheme (EN4267)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting that Play Therapy be reinstated on the list of NDIS funded therapeutic supports (EN4324)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting a review and update of the Child Support scheme (EN4342)
From the Minister for Resources to a petition regarding seismic testing in Australian waters (EN4404)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding the extension of NDIS funding for children turning 7 in 2022 (EN4457)
From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding financial assistance for university students undertaking unpaid, full-time, mandatory placements (EN4474)
From the Minister for the Arts to a petition regarding changes to the House of Representatives sitting calendar (EN4480)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding the digital distribution and transmission of anime (EN4484)
From the Assistant Minister for the Republic to a petition regarding a transition to a Republic government with an inclusion of a multicultural council (EN4493)
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting the establishment of fast-tracked pathways to attain a Diploma of Education (EN4521)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding the recognition of the importance of pedestrian and bike infrastructure (EN4650)
From the Speaker to a petition requesting changes to the petitions system to improve public accountability for government responses to petitions (EN4687)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the points test for General Skilled Migration visas in relation to partner qualification requirements (EN4700)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting a freeze on all purchases of Australian land and businesses by foreign interests (EN4776)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding fracking in the Surat Basin, Queensland (EN4806)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the Chalumbin Wind Farm project, Ravenshoe, Queensland (EN4826)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition requesting Commonwealth heritage recognition and protection of brumbies (EN4827)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the reinstatement of the no referral policy from a medical practitioner for PCR tests at pathology or swab collection sites (EN4859)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding asylum for gender non-conforming individuals (EN4863)
From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding exemptions from compulsory voting and removing fines for individuals who fail to vote (EN4977)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition Requesting a Royal Commission into the habitual systemic failure of the real estate industry (EN5033)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting the introduction of a Home Rescue Guarantee scheme (EN5044)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding tax deductions for trade unions and other employee associations (EN5058)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding petrol pricing in Australia
(EN5062)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding eating disorders and requesting more research and resources for treating anorexia (EN5075)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the alteration or removal of Stage 3 tax cuts (EN5077)
From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding an examination of federal elections and preferential voting (EN5087)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a review of the definition of 'person with a disability' in the Copyright Act 1968 (EN5097)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that vaping products not be banned, and requesting that no new legislation be introduced that would make it harder to purchase or use vaping products (EN5102)
From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition regarding the use of mRNA vaccines on animals (EN5106)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan (EN5121)
From the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury to a petition regarding the pricing practices of major supermarkets towards famers (EN5128)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the income test for Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients (EN5131)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding military assistance to Ukraine (EN5142)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that Visanne® (dienogest) be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treatment of endometriosis (EN5155)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding the maintenance of autonomous sanctions on the Wagner Group and its potential listing as a terrorist organisation (EN5157)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting a platform for remote overseas employees to raise employment issues (EN5159)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) be granted access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) as allied health professionals (EN5169)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding a review of awards to commanders of Joint Task Force 633 (EN5170)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the protection of the Tarkine Rainforest from commercial and industrial agreements (EN5171)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding a review of Afghanistan Awards (EN5179)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding the maintenance of autonomous sanctions on the Wagner Group and its potential listing as a terrorist organisation (EN5196)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting that the Child Support scheme be reformed to make it fairer for paying parents (EN5211)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding the Home Affairs Act 2023 as it relates to the termination of a lease held by the Government of the Russian Federation (EN5219)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting free mammogram and ultrasound services for woman and men aged 18 to 49 years of age (EN5221)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the Age Pension age (EN5224)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the increasing of the rate of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) (EN5235)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding standards for bus safety and the enforcement of seatbelts in vehicles (EN5237)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting limits be placed on rent increase amounts and frequencies in Australia (EN5239)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding income support being received by immigrants (EN5251)
From the Minister for the Arts to a petition requesting that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) take action to address issues with online queue systems for popular events (EN5262)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition Requesting that the Australian National Anthem be changed to 'I am Australian' (EN5286)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the introduction of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) (EN5308)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding media publication of motor vehicle accidents (EN5313)
From the Speaker to a petition requesting that Members maintain a greater physical presence in the Chamber while the House is sitting (EN5348)
From the Minister for Government Services to a petition requesting a review of the decision to close the Benalla Service Centre (PN0541)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting funding for infrastructure expansion and upgrades to the Elphin Sports Centre (PN0565)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding the indefinite offshore and onshore detention of refugees and asylum seekers (PN0566)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Her post acknowledged the unethical nature of the competition. "I realise this is blackmail I don't care at this stage," she said.
When contacted by the Mercury, the woman said the inducements were "not really blackmail" but were driven by her response to the offshore wind farm proposal. "I offered discounted services for people to vote," she said.
Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Voter Protections in Political Advertising) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Truth is fundamental to democracy. When citizens cannot tell fact from fiction, and leaders spread falsehoods for political advantage, society as a whole is damaged.
… voters should go to the polls armed with the facts. It is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad & it shouldn't be.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has released an Aviation Green Paper projecting a tripling of flight volumes by 2050;
(b) since the opening of the new parallel runway at Brisbane Airport, that airport is now by far the most complained about airport in Australia;
(c) increased large aircraft traffic and light aircraft flights are already posing significant noise issues for people in Melbourne; and
(d) the Prime Minister and the Government support a curfew and flight cap on Sydney Airport; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) support a curfew and flight cap on Brisbane Airport;
(b) accelerate the development of high speed rail to provide competition to the aviation industry, and reduce noise and pollution impacts on communities; and
(c) address the aircraft noise concerns of people living in Melbourne.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the release of the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia's Visa System on 4 October 2023, which found:
(a) abuses of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other organised crime in Australia's immigration system;
(b) significant gaps and weaknesses in Australia's visa system; and
(c) criminals routinely abusing Australia's visa system;
(2) notes that the problems identified in the report are systemic and will take time to fix, but commends the Government's commitment not to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of Australia's visa system by:
(a) increasing resourcing by $50 million;
(b) establishing a new division within the Department of Home Affairs to re-prioritise immigration compliance and protect the integrity of the visa and migration system;
(c) strengthening fit and proper person assessments for registered migration agents (RMAs);
(d) improving the ability of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) to sanction unscrupulous RMAs;
(e) providing a stronger framework for the OMARA to address criminality in the migration advice industry; and
(f) increasing financial penalties for providing unlawful immigration assistance; and
(3) condemns the Leader of the Opposition for overseeing a migration system that was used to facilitate some of the worst crimes in our society.
You have … two ministers—
that are acutely aware of the very significant responsibility we have for managing this system properly.
At the end of the day, our names are on the door. We're accountable to the Australian people …
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) obesity is a public health crisis;
(b) today about 14 million Australians, or two in three adults, are overweight or obese;
(c) the Class III category (body mass index of 40 or higher) has seen the highest relative growth during the past decade;
(d) according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in four children aged five to 17 years are either overweight or obese and one in two young people aged 18 to 24 are overweight or obese;
(e) vulnerable sections of our community, such as First Nations Australians, Australians living in regional and remote areas, and older Australians aged 65 to 74 are particularly affected; and
(f) Australians living with obesity are at a far higher risk of developing chronic conditions, including at least 13 different forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, back pain, chronic kidney disease, dementia, gallbladder disease, gout and osteoarthritis;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) overweight and obesity are among the highest contributors to disease burden in Australia;
(b) by addressing obesity, benefits will be realised in multiple areas of the healthcare system and economy;
(c) despite the implementation of well-intentioned preventative health measures, more is needed to combat the surge of overweight and obesity rates;
(d) new pharmacotherapies for obesity have the potential to be a real game changer in the fight against obesity; and
(e) the former Government developed the first National Obesity Strategy and remains committed to policy that halts the rise and reverses the trend in the prevalence of obesity in adults; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) elevate obesity as a National Health Priority Area; and
(b) ensure pharmaceutical therapies that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration can be made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to Australians as an additional tool against overweight and obesity, alongside a healthy and balanced diet and a regular exercise routine.
… it's doing us such a great disservice to talk about it … people who appreciate and feel good about their bodies are more likely to move their bodies, they're more likely to eat fruit and vegetables … they're less likely to drink, smoke, take illicit drugs, vape … The list of the reasons why we would want to get everyone in this country to embrace their bodies and feel good about their bodies is really long.
National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Regulator Performance) Bill 2023
Statutory Declarations Amendment Bill 2023
National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023
That the amendment be agreed to.
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Small Business Redundancy Exemption) Bill 2023
That the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"the bill be considered immediately".
We understand very well the pressures faced by small businesses, and they will not be punished for honest mistakes … I will continue to fight for the small businesses in my electorate.
The people affected have had enough of being told, 'Can we have a delay?' They've had enough of being told, 'Can we just pretend the issue is about something else?' They've had enough of being told, 'Consultation hasn't been good enough,' even though there has been more consultation on this than on any workplace relations bill in years. People have had enough of those excuses …
Members on the government benches are ready to have this debate. We're ready to have this argument. We're ready to close the loopholes.
Members on the government benches are ready to have this debate. We're ready to have this argument. We're ready to close the loopholes.
That is why I am so pleased to see that, in this proposal, first responders will have better support for mental ill health that has arisen due to their work.
Those opposite will moan about unions and whine about processes but just remember what they're really worried about. They're really concerned about workers getting a fair go.
Safe and fair working conditions are one of the foundations of our Australian working life. These conditions give workers and their families a sense of security, hope for the future and the basis on which to build a productive and meaningful life.
Very importantly, it makes it unlawful to discriminate against an employee that has been or continues to be subjected to family and domestic violence.
My name is Ro. I'm 21 years old and I live in the Moreton electorate. I am a proud transgender young person.
We are seeing a rapid escalation of anti-trans hatred from a small but vocal section of Australia. The lack of action on this issue has left me and my transgender peers left behind.
I came out as transgender at the age of 14, and since that time I have been a victim of hate-motivated violence on multiple occasions.
This is a common story amongst transgender youth, with studies showing that around half of all transgender people have experienced anti-trans hate in the last 12 months.
Transgender people deserve to feel safe in our communities. We deserve … a life free from discrimination and prejudice. We deserve to thrive.
To make Australia a safer country for the next generation of transgender youth, I urge the government to take action to protect my community from hate. The epidemic of hate-based violence is an issue that needs to be tackled before it is too late. We need the government to introduce community-led interventions to protect transgender people from abuse, harassment, vilification, and violence. If we work together as a united community, we can make Australia a safe, comfortable, and loving place for transgender people.
As someone who's a Liberal and believes in the sanctity of the individual, due process and the presumption of innocence, it offended all of those. It was illiberal, it reversed the onus and it hurt people.
… it is now apparent that the expanded compliance system … now known as robodebt, is one of the poorest chapters in Australia's public policy history and one that sits at the feet of the coalition in its time of government.
It should not have happened …
We have to learn these lessons. It was a government that I was a member of, and I really regret that it happened.
… what we're observing is that we're being assisted … by the fact that the government has taken the cyclical benefits of the budget banked them.
I think that's very positive. For us, if it was being spent that might be an issue, but it's not being spent, it's being banked. So I think that's very helpful.
… … …
I actually think that what they're doing at the moment is good.
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023
The amendments which have been committed to provide much more certainty and fairness for workers and employers and can be chalked up as a win for both.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia supports the Albanese Government's decision to amend the 'Closing the Loopholes' bill in the interests of both casual employees and employers.
Again, when the problems were brought to the attention of the government at the time, the program was stopped. I'm sorry to those people that have been adversely affected. I truly am. In relation to those cases—
Well, I think we take responsibility for that which we got wrong.
Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023
Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023
Family Law Amendment Bill 2023
Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023
Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023
National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Protections Against Discrimination) Bill 2023
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency) Bill 2023
That the bill be considered immediately.
A private Member takes responsibility for a private Senator's bill by moving, on the occasion of the bill's first reading in the House, that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting (no seconder is required). The bill is then listed on the Notice Paper …
A private Member takes responsibility for a private Senator's bill by moving, on the occasion of the bill's first reading in the House, that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting—
A private Member takes responsibility for a private Senator's bill by moving, on the occasion of the bill's first reading in the House, that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting (no seconder is required).
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business from moving that the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency) Bill 2023 be brought on for debate immediately.
The need to extend the functions of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency to address silica related diseases is something that was brought home to me through meetings with the ACTU …
The House divided. [15:59]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (First Responders) Bill 2023
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the order of the day for the consideration of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (First Responders) Bill 2023 being called on immediately.
The bill needs to get up in its entirety … It's critically important this legislation go through in its entirety and quite soon …
We see that the whole bill needs to go through together, not just separating us out for presumptive PTSD legislation.
The House divided. [16:34]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the order of the day for the consideration of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Protections Against Discrimination) Bill 2023 being called on immediately.
The House divided. [17:07]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Small Business Redundancy Exemption) Bill 2023 being called on immediately, and debate on the question that the amendment moved by the Manager of Opposition Business, that the bill be considered immediately, continuing.
The House divided. [17:39]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the House:
(1) notes with very real concern that the criminal trial of whistleblower David McBride has commenced today and that this brave and principled Australian faces the very real prospect of jail for telling the public the truth about potential war crimes committed by the Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan; and
(2) calls on the Attorney-General to urgently use his powers under the Judiciary Act to end this prosecution and by doing so provide a clear message to whistleblowers around the country that the truth matters to the Australian Government.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Brisbane from moving the following motion:
That the House:
(1) notes with very real concern that the criminal trial of whistleblower David McBride has commenced today and that this brave and principled Australian faces the very real prospect of jail for telling the public the truth about potential war crimes committed by the Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan; and
(2) calls on the Attorney-General to urgently use his powers under the Judiciary Act to end this prosecution and by doing so provide a clear message to whistleblowers around the country that the truth matters to the Australian Government.
The House divided. [18:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023
(d) a method of a kind determined by the Minister by legislative instrument for the purposes of this paragraph
(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 4 (line 7), after "wagering", insert "or lottery".
(2) Schedule 1, page 4 (after line 13), after item 2, insert:
2A Section 4
Insert:
lottery service means a service covered by paragraph (c) or (d) of the definition ofgambling service .
2B Subsection 8D(2)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), subsection (1) applies to an electronic form of:
(a) scratch lottery; or
(b) other instant lottery.
(3) Schedule 1, item 4, page 4 (line 19), after "wagering", insert "or lottery".
(4) Schedule 1, item 5, page 4 (line 24), after "wagering", insert "or lottery".
(5) Schedule 1, item 6, page 5 (line 7), after "wagering", insert "or lottery".
(6) Schedule 1, item 9, page 5 (lines 16 and 17), omit paragraph 15C(1A)(a), substitute:
(a) intentionally provides a regulated interactive gambling service that is:
(i) a wagering service; or
(ii) a lottery service; and
(7) Schedule 1, item 13, page 6 (lines 7 and 8), omit paragraph 15C(3A)(a), substitute:
(a) provides a regulated interactive gambling service that is:
(i) a wagering service; or
(ii) a lottery service; and
Lotteries are now operated by corporate giants with multi-million-dollar salaried executives, mega profits and online platforms. They have a slick online marketing model with tickets available 24-7. KenoGO's online lottery offers a draw every three minutes! … KenoGO is showing us the future of lotteries, where it is possible to buy a $20,000 basket or more every day of the week.
This is a product that will cause some people to lose their homes and relationships.
On the Lott app you can easily spend $10,000 on tickets immediately, and Keno is a maximum of $1,000 every 3 minutes—
… that the Minister for Communications undertake a review over the next 12 months into the regulation of keno-type lotteries under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Disability Services and Inclusion Bill 2023
Disability Services and Inclusion (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023
(2) People with disability are individuals who have the inherent right to respect for their human worth and dignity, and live a life free from violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
(3) People with disability, whatever the origin, nature, type and degree of disability, have the same basic human rights as other members of Australian society.
(4) People with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to realise their individual capacities for physical, social, emotional and intellectual development.
(5) People with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to supports and services which will support their attaining a reasonable quality of life.
(6) People with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to exercise choice and control in relation to the decisions that affect their lives.
(7) People with disability receiving supports or services have the same right as other members of Australian society to receive those supports or services in a manner which results in the least restriction of their rights and opportunities.
(8) People with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to pursue any grievance in relation to supports or services.
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Stevens ) took the chair at 10:29.
A change that would undoubtedly make Australia a better place for future generations would be the passing of laws that protect intersex people's rights.
Unfortunately, many Australians are not aware of the fight for intersex rights, despite its persistence and urgency.
Intersex people are people whose sex characteristics, such as their chromosomes or reproductive developments, differ from medical norms for female or male bodies.
In all states and territories, except for the ACT, it is legal for unnecessary surgeries to be performed on intersex people without their consent.
Doctors are allowed to surgically modify intersex people at birth simply to make their sex characteristics appear more typically male or female.
This harmful practice violates the human rights of intersex people and must be criminalised by all other states and territories. I urge all politicians in this chamber to make intersex rights a priority, and to follow the ACT's lead in protecting intersex people from unnecessary surgeries that occur without their consent.
For too long the right to bodily autonomy has been denied to intersex people. Let's ensure their rights are not denied for a moment longer.
My name is Isabella Carswell.
I am a 14-year-old girl who lives in Jamberoo in the electorate of Gilmore and attends school in the electorate of Cunningham.
I am raising the problem of the rising prevalence of homelessness in my local community which I know is reflected in the rest of the country.
The cost of living crisis is affecting young adults who have barely entered the financial world and families with young children who now have to decide between paying for a roof over their heads or food on the table.
I understand that in many towns and cities, there are organisations that house and help those without home.
However, they are also suffering from the cost of living crisis.
They donate food, resources and support to those in their local area who require their help.
I would like the government to match these organisations' support and funding so that they can continue this effort to support those who need it without having to cut corners.
I would like the government to provide funds to the organisations that are putting so much into helping those who are below the poverty line and those who really need it. If those who used to be able to help can no longer afford to help, who will?
Hello, members of parliament.
My name is Poppy Fulton. I am 12 years old, and my federal electorate is Gilmore.
As a young casual employee, I earn the minimum wage for my age, and it'll increase until I turn 21.
A change that would make Australia a better place for future generations is having the minimum wage reach its peak when the employee turns 18.
I'd like to see 18-year-olds earning the same income as 21-year-olds.
Why should two adults doing the same job earn different wages just because they were born 36 months apart?
Passing this law would benefit families that rely on 18-20 year old sons and daughters to help provide for them, 18- to 20-year-olds with their own young families, and university students who'd feel more financially secure with higher incomes.
Also, it would help motivate 18- to 20-year-olds to get jobs, which would decrease unemployment rates in this bracket. Parliament could help bring about these benefits by passing a law stating that the minimum wage reaches its peak at 18.
Having the minimum wage reach its peak at 18 would improve the living quality of many teens, families, and university students.
I would like the federal parliament to pass a law stating an employee's age doesn't affect the minimum wage once they become a legal adult.
(b) community groups, already struggling with the increased cost of living, will have no other option than to fundraise for projects that otherwise could have been funded under the programme—
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government was elected on the promise of getting wages moving again after a decade of deliberate wage stagnation under the previous Government;
(2) notes that Australian Bureau of Statistics' data released in August, and new analysis, shows that:
(a) the average earnings of a full-time worker increased 3.9 per cent in the first year of the Government, in dollar terms, an extra $3,700 per year;
(b) the average worker is earning $1,400 more than they would have because of the higher rate of wages growth under the Government compared to if wages had continued to grow at the sluggish pace they did under our predecessors; and
(c) low paid workers are receiving the largest pay rises;
(3) further notes that the Government's economic plan is all about getting wages moving in a sustainable way by:
(a) securing a pay rise for minimum and award wage earners;
(b) funding a wage rise for aged care workers;
(c) changing our industrial relations laws to support secure jobs and better pay; and
(d) funding more TAFE and university places and investing in strategic industries to help deliver well-paid jobs into the future; and
(4) acknowledges this is another example of the Government working for Australia and delivering on our election commitments to build a better future for Australians.
… petrol prices are skyrocketing, real wages are going down and working families are going backwards, and I think that should be central to an election about the economy, about living standards and about the Prime Minister's failures on economic management.
Labor has real, lasting plans for
I really enjoy this job. Sometimes I feel like crying when I see the residents. We are here for them. We care for them. We try to give everything for them.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) Commonwealth grants are vitally important to the positive and meaningful work carried out by community organisations, local governments, businesses and not-for-profits, particularly in regional and rural areas;
(b) the current system of Commonwealth grants administration means grants can be awarded based on the discretion of ministers and against official departmental advice, without merit and without meeting the aim of promoting proper use and management of public resources; and
(c) the current system means grants awarded by ministerial discretion escape parliamentary and public scrutiny;
(2) notes that Commonwealth grants programs administered by the former and current governments have been misused for political purposes, including the Building Better Regions Fund, the Commuter Car Parks Project, the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program, the Mobile Black Spot Program, and the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program; and
(3) calls on the Government to introduce legislation to reform grants administration to ensure public money is not misused, and that this legislation must include:
(a) clear requirements for published Commonwealth grant guidelines and selection criteria;
(b) robust and public reporting requirements about how grants programs are administered, including grants that are awarded contrary to departmental advice; and
(c) a framework for a parliamentary joint committee on grants administration to improve grant administration oversight.
…if the target is that you want to help, lift up regional Australia, lift up every region … this did not do that. It lifted up some regions at the expense of others.
… the previous government pursued industrial scale rorting for blatantly partisan purposes.
Ministers are not 'gods' and are subject to the law and the rules and must record properly and fully documented reasons.
That this House:
(1) recognises the vital role played by Community Legal Centres in Australia, emphasising that Community Legal Centres:
(a) serve as pillars of support for individuals and families navigating legal matters, offering essential guidance and assistance; and
(b) contribute significantly to ensuring equal access to justice, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised communities;
(2) notes recommendation 12.4 of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme that states, 'When it next conducts a review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership, the Commonwealth should have regard, in considering funding for legal aid commissions and community legal centres, to the importance of the public interest role played by those services as exemplified in their work during the Scheme'; and
(3) acknowledges that the Government has initiated an independent review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership.
… When it next conducts a review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership, the Commonwealth should have regard, in considering funding for legal aid commissions and community legal centres, to the importance of the public interest role played by those services as exemplified in their work during the Scheme…
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australia has a world-class and sustainable commercial fishing industry which contributes to national food security and delivers significant employment and economic benefits, particularly in regional areas;
(2) notes that:
(a) commercial fishing in Commonwealth waters is already highly regulated to ensure sustainable resource management;
(b) the world-wide demand for seafood is increasing; and
(c) reducing the Australian wild-catch will result in the consumption of more imported seafood products; and
(3) urges the Government to:
(a) recognise the:
(i) long-term sustainability of the commercial fishing industry is an issue of national importance because of the social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits of the industry; and
(ii) pressures placed on the commercial fishing industry by environmental activism and plans to lock up more productive fishing grounds in marine parks or other activities including offshore wind farms; and
(b) undertake to consult and work constructively with the commercial fishing industry to ensure its interests are fully respected and recognised in any proposals to increase exclusion zones which undermine the viability of operators.
Imagine a future where all students can apply what they have learned. Many more people can be inventors and scientists, discovering, creating, and using the power of knowledge to fix the huge pile of issues the world is currently facing.
It all starts in the assessment tasks in schools. They need to be more skill based, instead of simply based on testing what people know. We need to teach people to connect and use their knowledge, not just learn it and forget.
Currently, many people study for exams the night before in the hopes of getting high marks, and that's all. People forget what it means to learn, and just do all they can to get better scores.
I am not saying knowledge isn't important. But knowledge by itself is not meaningful unless the person has the skills to interpret and apply it.
I would like it to be mandatory for all assessments to contain a skill based component, which will test the students on the fundamental skills in the subject, and ability to apply their knowledge.
"Am I good enough?" was a question I often presented myself with when growing up.
When I went to seek help the next question was, "Am I a burden?"
The view of mental health given to me growing up affected my ability to reach out and this cycle is never-ending.
The statistics surrounding youth mental health are alarming:
Youth mental health cannot be addressed through quick fixes. It requires a comprehensive approach including prevention, early intervention, and long-term support.
We need to recognize that mental health challenges are not a personal failing, but a societal issue.
Young people are facing an unprecedented level of stress and pressure—from social media, academic expectations and family and community dynamics.
We need to address the root causes of these issues and prioritize access to mental health services for young people, by investing in mental health infrastructure, programs, initiatives and professionals.
To provide for our youth means to provide for our future.
Australia has the capacity to lead and inspire a future with renewable energy, in alignment with the United Nation's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in transitioning away from fossil fuel industries.
The change future generations will benefit from the most is change that is intersectional and informed.
Change that accommodates the integration of fossil fuel industry workers and rural communities into new industry to equip and empower them.
Change that educates current generations to make better choices about their consumption and carbon footprints.
Change that holds corporations and governments accountable towards transparent and smart progress forward.
So, as a young person, when I look at the way things were, I see decisive ignorance about climate change, and stagnant policy.
When I look at the way things are, I see young people across the world, in my city, protesting to summon government action towards this issue that undeniably affects us all.
And, finally, when I look at the way things could be, I am filled with a fragile hope that Australia takes a leap to change its attitude towards climate change.
The vastness of Australia is ingrained within the fabric of our national identity, romanticised in prose and heralded as the true epitome of the Australian condition; that no distance nor harsh landscape shall impede our nation from striving for greatness.
But far too long, rural and regional Australia, and their very community's and concern's, have been lost amidst the noise of our large nation.
I live in a land where a person my age is 10% less likely to complete grade 12; where I am statistically more likely to commit self-harm at higher rates than those from the cities.
It is so easy to feel that I'm not worthy of attention, that those in the halls of my school and every school across rural Australia aren't seen as significant in the grand scheme of government.
Humbly, I beg you, those in this chamber, to open your ears, to listen to rural Australia, to have genuine concern.
Together, bonded in brotherly fraternity as Australians, these issues can be alleviated; to ensure that rural Australians aren't simply another number on a spreadsheet.
We always showed cattle and it was a family thing … This will be my 55th year exhibiting so if COVID hadn't happened it would have been 57 …
I've been on the committee for 48 years …
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to transform access to the vocational education and training sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs, by delivering:
(a) a landmark five-year National Skills Agreement, that will take effect from January 2024, unlocking billions of dollars to build Australian skills and prosperity, including by:
(i) establishing nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence;
(ii) establishing a National TAFE Network to promote cutting edge curriculum;
(iii) growing the capability of the vocational education and training (VET) workforce;
(iv) implementing Closing the Gap initiatives to be designed in partnership with First Nations peoples and led by them;
(v) improving VET completions and access to foundation skills training; and
(vi) increasing women's participation and gender equality;
(b) 300,000 further Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education places from 2024, following the 180,000 Fee-Free TAFE places allocated in 2023; and
(c) investment in the creation of TAFE Centres of Excellence, to strengthen the collaboration between TAFEs, universities and industry, and the creation and delivery of higher apprenticeship qualifications, in critical areas of the economy;
(2) congratulates the Government along with state and territory governments on the historic five-year National Skills Agreement which will be delivered through a new National Stewardship model to coordinate strategic investment in skills across the economy and support delivery of skills needed in national and regional priority areas; and
(3) condemns the Liberal and National parties for their opposition to important skills policies such as Fee-Free TAFE and the former Government for their decade of neglect, and for failing to reach a National Skills Agreement with any state or territory government.
We will create a new and independent agency to be called Jobs and Skills Australia which will research workforce trends and provide impartial advice about what skills are needed now and what skills will be sought after in the future.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the sport of golf provides $3.3 billion in annual benefits to the Australian community, economy and environment;
(b) household expenditure on golf activities and facilities is $10.3 billion, including $6.7 billion by golfers and locals, and $3.6 billion for golf tourism;
(c) there are over 1,603 places to play golf across Australia, including 1,406 golf courses, 184 driving ranges, 115 mini golf courses and growing indoor simulator and entertainment venues;
(d) the social benefits of golf via physical and mental health and neighbourhood amenity by golf courses is valued at over $1 billion; and
(e) the health benefits of golf are highlighted by the fact that Australian golfers walk 280 million kilometres annually; and
(2) acknowledges the great work that peak national bodies including the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia have done and continue to do to promote the game of golf.
As a Club with a history that extends back a 100+ years, the loss of our clubhouse is devastating, but it is the loss of irreplaceable trophies, photographs, artworks and memorabilia that hurts most deeply.
That this House:
(1) notes the clear message the Australian people sent in May 2022, demanding real action on climate change by electing the current Government;
(2) further notes the Government has not wasted a day by:
(a) increasing Australia's emission reduction targets from 26 per cent to 43 per cent;
(b) legislating to bring back the Climate Change Authority;
(c) putting net zero in the objects of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Australian Renewable Energy Agency Acts;
(d) legislating our $20 billion Rewiring the Nation Fund;
(e) taking substantial steps to create an offshore wind industry in Australia;
(f) agreeing to a sensible capacity investment scheme with the states;
(g) working with states and territories to put emissions reduction into the National Energy Objectives, and to develop a new National Energy Transformation Partnership;
(h) signing the Global Methane Pledge and joining the Climate Change Club and Global Offshore Wind Alliance;
(i) reforming the safeguard mechanism so that our biggest industrial emitters are doing their fair share;
(j) passing the electric vehicle discount, releasing the National Electric Vehicle Strategy and commencing the rollout of the Driving the Nation charging program;
(k) committing $1.7 billion to the Energy Savings Program, providing real financial support to households, businesses, and local governments to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency;
(l) signing funding agreements to deliver more than 50 community batteries around Australia;
(m) establishing the Net Zero Economy Agency to have a laser-like focus on the economic opportunities for the regions at the centre of the energy transformation; and
(n) budgeting $2 billion for the vital Hydrogen Headstart Program; and
(3) acknowledges that this is just another way the Government is working for Australia and delivering on the promise of building the better future Australians voted for.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 13 November to 16 November 2023 is 'Youth Voice in Parliament Week'; and
(b) the prompt of the 2023 Youth Voice in Parliament Week is 'What change would make Australia a better place for future generations?';
(2) acknowledges our responsibility for protecting the interests of future generations of Australians; and
(3) calls on the Government to consider opportunities to further engage with future generations across all areas of Government policy to secure our nation's long-term prosperity.
What would make Australia a better place for future generations is improvement in the awareness of youth in Australian politics (to an appropriate degree). This would also provide better youth inclusivity in parliament. Not just older youth, for example 18 or 19 year olds, but younger youth as well, like 12 or 13 year olds. As a young person myself, I know that until I got involved with the Raise Our Voice program, I didn't think about our government or decisions being made, or the impact that might have in my future. I wasn't even aware about anything going on and I know the same is true for my friends and other children in similar age groups.
I was told politics was an 'adult thing' and I should not know or talk about it. However, I strongly disagree with that. I think it's very important to make politics and decisions in parliament that impact youth a more common topic to discuss with young people. This would help us to know what is going on in our country, the country we will inherit, and the decisions that will impact us growing up. This will also help us have a more informed perspective and understanding of our country as soon as we turn 18 and are allowed to vote. This means our input through voting is better educated. I believe that this can be achieved by creating political news stories, through a magazine for example that comes from our government, about political decisions that impact youth and are appropriate for youth. We could also make this a more talked about topic in schools, a place that shapes us as people, by encouraging the watching of the show BTN and encouraging conversations about mentioned topics on BTN in class.
Overall, Australian youth needs to be better informed and generally aware about politics that impact them to give us a better educated understanding of our future, especially 18 year olds when it's a first for them being able to vote and have a real say in our future.
We the youth
We must speak up
We must shout out
For this broken system, we must have no doubt
We're in an education so flawed
That true learning is outlawed
We're being held to a frown
Shining with brilliance, but always shut down
Our rigid system often confines,
The very essence that makes our minds shine
Our education is not a finish line
It's an opportunity to refine
The knowledge and experience we need to shine
So let me say it, loud and clear
It's time to speak up
It's time to shout out
It's time to be louder
This is my plea
To all those who see and stand with me
To take a stand and demand a rebrand
Of an education drowning in quicksand
This is my plea
To the decision-makers who can see but can't act
We need action and passion, not the publicization of the 'consideration' of an
educational revolution
The system is failing, it's straining and staining
We need to do something, anything, everything
It's time to be loud for the whole world to hear
Loud enough to reach leaders' ears
Loud enough to rewrite the story of this generation, and the next.
This is my plea, our inspiration, and the revelation of today's generation.
On average whilst this speech is read an Australian police officer is dealing with a victim of Domestic and Family Violence. Another Officer on average will be called out to another Victim whilst the next member speaks, and so on and so on.
An issue that doesn't discriminate against age, sex, religion, socio economic group.
Whilst we must acknowledge that Domestic and Family Violence is a national issue—it's still a major taboo topic in rural and regional Australia with fear of stigma, shame, community gossip, privacy and perpetrator accountability deterring victims from seeking help and utilising local services.
Wodonga has seen a 17.2% increase in reported Family Violence since 2022 according to the Crime Statistics Victoria report.
I call on all parliamentarians including National Cabinet to work together on a consistent and national definition of Domestic and Family violence that includes the many abusive, coercive, and manipulative tactics used by perpetrators.
For a family violence free future, we all need to part of the solution.
The safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are being squandered …
… this is happening because of intense police brutality usage in Australia.
The change I want to advocate would be to change the police structure of Australia to make it fairer …
… you and I as people of Australia need this to happen.
And if we do make this change, it will help immensely.
I realised that police brutality was a problem in this country when my family reminisced about when in Tennent Creek and Alice Springs,
At first, I thought that the Police were trying their hardest to better it until I found out that …
… around 13,161 Indigenous Australians were involved in about 28,826 cases of Police brutality cases in 2018-2022.
I was disgusted, and I felt betrayed.
Hello there, my name is Brent and I have been thinking about the challenges that homeless individuals face daily.
I believe that providing special kits to homeless individuals who are struggling to make ends meet can go a long way.
It is important to remember that everyone deserves a chance to live with dignity and respect …
… and we can all play a role in making this a reality.
By working together, we can help those who are less fortunate and make our communities stronger and more compassionate.
We reside in the 5th most liveable country in the world.
A testament to our commitment to a high quality of life.
But today, we ask the question of what change can be made to create a better country for the future …
… we must think of the quietest struggle.
The average Australian woman will spend $10,000 in her life on women's sanitary products.
If these products were free, she could put a down payment on a house, buy a second-hand car and even pay half off the average HECS debt.
We're now stood on the precipice of change and can start a revolution that transcends time, gender, and opinion.
We cannot rest until every individual, regardless of their background can uphold their dignity.
It's not just an opportunity but a moral duty. It's time to break the silence and create a future of unwavering equality for all.
Plastic infests our world. It seeps into our lives. It pollutes our system. We need to right our wrongs, shift the gears, and protect this world now.
Countless decisions. Endless conferences. Lots of talk. People in big buildings, people addressing the nation, the world, broadcasted on TV. What has been achieved? Not enough.
Banning plastic straws is not a step in the right direction, it is an inch in the right direction.
All those brains, all those meetings, all those salaries and that is it?
The people that believe they are powerless have the most power of all. Because a single person, picking up a single piece of plastic, changes the world. Why leave it as an option?
The only people who do not change the world are the people who are crazy enough to think they can. We hear about turtles dying. We hear about poor sea creatures, strangled by plastic bags. 85% of Australian seabirds are affected by plastic pollution.
But we aren't bold enough to save them!
We could put in more bans, more policies to drive individuals to change habits and support our ecosystem. To keep Australia beautiful. To protect our ecosystem for future generations we need bold policies now.
Banning plastic might not make me popular, but for something as enormous as saving our ecosystem, I could take that. Can you?
As young leaders, it is our responsibility to envision and implement changes that will pave the way for a brighter future.
Cathy Freeman—the Olympic champion—and the Matildas, our national women's soccer team, symbolize the spirit of hope, determination, and unity that defines our nation. Their achievements inspire us to strive for excellence and work together towards a better future.
First and foremost, to make Australia a better place for future generations, we must prioritize environmental sustainability.
Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a reality that our generation faces head-on. To address this challenge, we must commit to ambitious carbon neutrality targets, invest heavily in renewable energy sources, and support sustainable agricultural practices.
Inclusivity and equality are fundamental pillars of a better Australia for future generations.
Let us foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, where discrimination is vehemently opposed, and where every young person's potential is nurtured, regardless of who they are.
In the age of information and technology, digital literacy is a necessity, not a luxury. We must invest in education and infrastructure to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that every young Australian has access to high-quality internet and the skills needed to navigate the digital world.
Our healthcare system should evolve to meet the changing needs of our society. Mental health support should be accessible to all, and preventive care should be prioritized.
The economic landscape is evolving rapidly, and we must prepare our youth for the jobs of the future.
Investing in STEM education and vocational training will equip our young people with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. Let us encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of industries that are sustainable and globally competitive.
Australia's Indigenous peoples are the custodians of the world's oldest living cultures. We must strengthen our commitment to reconciliation, truth-telling, and ensuring Indigenous voices are heard and respected in all decisions that affect their communities.
Let us be bold in our vision, courageous in our actions, and unwavering in our commitment to leaving a legacy of sustainability, inclusivity, and prosperity for the generations that will inherit this great land.
Fellow Australians,
Today, I stand before you to urge our executive government to take a significant step towards securing a sustainable future for our children and youth by signing the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action.
Our nation's youth are at the forefront of the climate crisis, demanding urgent and decisive action. By endorsing this declaration, we commit to empowering our youth, ensuring their voices are heard, and providing them with the tools and opportunities to actively participate in climate action.
Climate change poses a grave threat to the well-being and future prospects of our children. It is our moral duty to prioritise their interests, safeguarding their right to a healthy environment and a sustainable planet. By engaging with international partners through this declaration, we enhance collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the effectiveness of our collective efforts.
Let us stand united in recognising the critical role our youth play in addressing climate change. Let us pledge to nurture their passion, knowledge, and commitment to building a sustainable world. Together, we can create a legacy of environmental responsibility, and ensure a thriving future for the generations to come.
Thank you.
Zac Chu