COMMITTEES

Ms BELYEA (Dunkley) (10:01): I present the 13th report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 13 Petitions and Ministerial Responses 17 August 2026 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Ms Trish Cook MP Mr Rowan Holzberger MP Mr Llew O'Brien MP Ms Tracey Roberts 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 48th Parliament on 26 May, 2 June, 23 June, 30 June and 4 August 2026. 1. The committee resolved to present the following 19 1 petitions in accordance with standing order 207: Petitions certified on 26 May 2026 From 1 petitioner—requesting regional fusion energy hubs and incentives for employment (EN7946) From 2 petitioners—requesting an industrial strategy for fusion energy (EN7947) From 1 petitioner—requesting a fusion energy export strategy (EN7948) From 2 petitioners—requesting fusion energy research and household energy affordability measures (EN7949) From 2 petitioners—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in grid planning (EN7950) From 2 petitioners—requesting measures relating to violent extremism and public safety (EN9102) From 5 petitioners—requesting measures relating to immigration, citizenship and counter-extremism (EN9103) From 2 petitioners—requesting legislation relating to antisemitism and hate speech (EN9105) From 2 petitioners—requesting cessation of Al Jazeera operations in Australia (EN9107) From 151 petitioners—requesting legislative requirements for restrictions imposed by financial institutions (EN9869) From 7 petitioners—requesting compassionate leave and bereavement benefits for pet owners (EN9874) From 1 petitioner—requesting support for a cultural and tourism festival (EN9875) From 20 petitioners—regarding changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN9876) From 18 petitioners—requesting cessation of immigration (EN9883) From 64 petitioners—requesting legal representation in Veterans' Review Board proceedings and removal of penalties (EN9888) From 8 petitioners—requesting amendment of the Marriage Act 1961 to permit multiple marriages (EN9891) From 3 petitioners—requesting reduced service periods for Commonwealth long service awards (EN9895) From 6 petitioners—requesting inclusion of superannuation in the Financial Claims Scheme (EN9896) From 21 petitioners—requesting prohibition of artificial intelligence use in government and service delivery (EN9897) From 1703 petitioners—requesting protection measures for Athrotaxis communities (EN9898) From 20 petitioners—requesting divestment from artificial intelligence companies (EN9901) From 16 petitioners—requesting review of income support payments (EN9903) From 17 petitioners—requesting strengthened protections for assistance dogs and handlers (EN9906) From 11 petitioners—requesting changes to social media minimum age laws (EN9908) From 39 petitioners—requesting actions and increased funding for endometriosis care (EN9909) From 54 petitioners—requesting artificial intelligence labelling for music releases and artist protections (EN9910) From 62 petitioners—requesting stronger visitor visa sponsor obligations (EN9911) From 412 petitioners—requesting changes to the regulation of entheogenic plants and fungi (EN9915) From 13 petitioners—requesting protection of Commonwealth war graves in Gaza (EN9917) From 3137 petitioners—requesting changes to restrictions on the importation and sale of Moringa oleifera (EN9921) From 2155 petitioners—requesting the appointment of a Minister for Men (EN9924) From 13 petitioners—requesting stronger verification of international qualifications in licensed occupations (EN9925) From 61 petitioners—requesting investigation of aerial spraying (EN9927) From 4 petitioners—requesting advertising requirements for novated leases (EN9928) From 6 petitioners—requesting consideration of company tax changes (EN9929) From 3 petitioners—requesting national coordination of organised crime policing (EN9931) From 16 petitioners—requesting an audit of First Nations program funding (EN9935) From 56 petitioners—requesting review of foreign ownership laws for farmland (EN9941) From 10 petitioners—requesting eligibility changes for veterans' benefits (EN9942) From 46 petitioners—requesting government-owned grocery stores (EN9945) From 10 petitioners—requesting Friday evening penalty rates for hospitality and retail workers (EN9964) From 31 petitioners—requesting mining taxation reform and a sovereign wealth fund (EN9965) From 8 petitioners—requesting taxation reform relating to residential rental payments and income (EN9966) From 28 petitioners—requesting reinstatement of capital punishment (EN9968) From 8 petitioners—requesting actions regarding government-funded employment services (EN9969) From 2 petitioners—requesting biometric security for government services (EN9970) Petitions certified on 2 June 2026 From 2 petitioners—requesting funding for fusion energy projects (EN7951) From 1 petitioner—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in Indo-Pacific cooperation (EN7952) From 1 petitioner—requesting scholarships and education programs relating to fusion energy (EN7953) From 1 petitioner—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in resilience and emergency planning (EN7954) From 1 petitioner—requesting long-term funding for fusion energy programs (EN7955) From 3 petitioners—requesting investigation of foreign influence relating to political protests (EN9110) From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of measures relating to extremist ideologies (EN9116) From 5 petitioners—requesting investigation of matters relating to extremist ideologies (EN9117) From 2 petitioners—requesting investigation and review of measures relating to extremist ideologies (EN9118) From 9 petitioners—requesting a review of counter-terrorism powers (EN9119) From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to visa cancellation and removal arrangements (EN9952) From 31 petitioners—requesting broader access to magnetic resonance imaging services (EN9974) From 208 petitioners—requesting changes to capital gains tax discount arrangements for property investments (EN9975) From 51 petitioners—requesting regulation of artificial intelligence technologies (EN9976) From 617 petitioners—requesting changes to screening requirements for disability support workers (EN9977) From 476 petitioners—requesting changes to allied health funding arrangements for veterans (EN9980) From 39 petitioners—regarding negative gearing arrangements for residential investment properties (EN9982) From 757 petitioners—requesting constitutional amendment relating to election commitments (EN9985) From 56 petitioners—requesting retention of taxation arrangements relating to investment and business structures (EN9987) From 274 petitioners—requesting changes to child support enforcement arrangements (EN9992) From 77 petitioners—regarding capital gains tax and negative gearing arrangements (EN9993) From 2039 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of land divestment at Kokoda Barracks (EN9996) From 16 petitioners—requesting retention of participant choice in National Disability Insurance Scheme plan management (EN9997) From 1715 petitioners—requesting changes to taxation arrangements relating to residential housing construction (EN9999) From 33 petitioners—requesting changes to taxation arrangements for gas exporters (EN10003) From 2083 petitioners—requesting restoration of Parent Visa places (EN10015) From 17 petitioners—regarding capital gains tax concessions for business owners (EN10019) From 6 petitioners—regarding Queensland legislation relating to political expression (EN10026) From 2 petitioners—requesting changes to funding of employment services (EN10031) From 27 petitioners—requesting repeal of income and other taxes (EN10033) From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of cost of living, housing and taxation policies (EN10036) From 17 petitioners—requesting measures relating to intergenerational policy (EN10037) From 11 petitioners—requesting regulation of edible surplus food disposal (EN10040) From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to Medicare and private billing arrangements (EN10041) From 80 petitioners—requesting a review of Commonwealth laws and policies relating to sex and gender (EN10043) From 19 petitioners—requesting a review of economic management (EN10044) From 49 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN10047) From 3200 petitioners—requesting review of capital gains tax and discretionary trust taxation changes (EN10049) From 19 petitioners—requesting funding for Lifeline services (EN10052) Petitions certified on 23 June 2026 From 3 petitioners—requesting trials of fusion energy systems for resource sector energy supply (EN7956) From 3 petitioners—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in Australia's hydrogen strategy (EN7957) From 4 petitioners—requesting investment in fusion energy for medical research (EN7958) From 3 petitioners—requesting support for fusion energy pilot projects (EN7959) From 2 petitioners—requesting use of fusion energy in agricultural development (EN7960) From 5 petitioners—regarding the application of Australian law (EN9122) From 2 petitioners—regarding counter-terrorism strategy (EN9123) From 5 petitioners—regarding the national response to Islamophobia (EN9125) From 7 petitioners—requesting review of a visa held by an individual (EN9127) From 5 petitioners—requesting a review of extremism in Australia (EN9152) From 10 petitioners—requesting support services for current and former Australian Defence Force members (EN9953) From 1 petitioner—requesting changes to employment services participation requirements (EN10053) From 94 petitioners—requesting a ban on generative artificial intelligence (EN10057) From 15 petitioners—requesting changes to parliamentary expenses regulations (EN10058) From 11 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) application processing (EN10060) From 6 petitioners—requesting a nationwide ban on single-use plastics (EN10061) From 4807 petitioners—requesting anti-bullying measures in schools (EN10063) From 21 petitioners—requesting review of proposed budget measures (EN10064) From 10 petitioners—requesting regulation of surplus food disposal in the hospitality sector (EN10065) From 438 petitioners—requesting changes to laws relating to sex and gender (EN10067) From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to discretionary trust taxation (EN10071) From 2 petitioners—requesting a pension scheme for older JobSeeker Payment recipients (EN10073) From 11 petitioners—requesting housing, pension and health care for returned service members (EN10074) From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to capital gains tax reforms (EN10077) From 223 petitioners—requesting temporary closure of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (EN10079) From 3 petitioners—requesting a ban on drone ownership (EN10080) From 58 petitioners—requesting research funding for alternatives to sodium fluoroacetate-based pest control (EN10081) From 2 petitioners—requesting negative gearing for new construction (EN10083) From 21 petitioners—requesting restrictions on facial recognition technology (EN10084) From 8036 petitioners—regarding investigations by the Office of the Special Investigator (EN10088) From 3 petitioners—requesting an Australian commemorative coin relating to diabetes (EN10089) From 8 petitioners—regarding Australia's position on Cuba and United States sanctions (EN10090) From 21 petitioners—requesting changes to lobbying disclosure (EN10091) From 4 petitioners—requesting a workplace entitlement for cultural and religious observances (EN10095) From 35 petitioners—requesting access to treatments for vulvodynia and vestibulodynia (EN10100) From 284 petitioners—requesting recognition of chronic conditions in Department of Veterans' Affairs allied health funding (EN10104) From 10 petitioners—requesting retention of the capital gains tax discount for listed shares (EN10110) From 23 petitioners—requesting regulation of political polling during federal elections (EN10113) From 7 petitioners—requesting changes to Higher Education Loan Program debt indexation (EN10114) From 516 petitioners—requesting Medicare rebates for lipedema surgery (EN10115) From 152 petitioners—requesting action in relation to human rights in Vietnam (EN10117) From 4 petitioners—requesting early access to superannuation for emergencies (EN10118) From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to minimum wages for junior workers (EN10119) From 1150 petitioners—requesting recognition of Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) residence for family assistance payments (EN10120) From 54 petitioners—requesting safeguards for automation in government processes (EN10125) From 55 petitioners—requesting amendments to responsible lending laws relating to rental histories (EN10126) From 9 petitioners—requesting review of long-term baseload power options (EN10127) From 15 petitioners—requesting a ban on data mining (EN10129) From 4 petitioners—requesting review of the Child Support assessment formula (EN10131) From 3 petitioners—requesting changes to insurance exemptions under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (EN10132) From 72 petitioners—requesting skilled migration age concessions for doctorate graduates (EN10134) From 7 petitioners—requesting a ban on autonomous vehicles (EN10135) From 400 petitioners—requesting travel industry consumer protection legislation (EN10136) From 4 petitioners—requesting a public education campaign regarding e-cigarettes (EN10137) From 15 petitioners—requesting reporting on the fiscal impacts of immigration (EN10138) From 28 petitioners—requesting paid privacy options for social media platforms (EN10139) From 9 petitioners—requesting review of negative gearing and capital gains tax changes (EN10140) From 33 petitioners—requesting citizenship requirements for income support payments (EN10146) From 3 petitioners—requesting citizenship test exemptions for long-term permanent residents (EN10147) From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to federal electoral arrangements (EN10148) From 223 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN10158) From 219 petitioners—requesting humanitarian funding for southern Lebanon (EN10160) From 3 petitioners—requesting changes to employment services funding (EN10161) From 5 petitioners—requesting an Australian medical research award (EN10162) From 51 petitioners—requesting sanctions against Israel (EN10163) From 3 petitioners—requesting protocols for displaying national flags (EN10164) Petitions certified on 30 June 2026 From 2 petitioners—requesting use of fusion energy for national water infrastructure (EN7961) From 1 petitioner—requesting fusion-powered inland development corridors (EN7962) From 6 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of fusion energy deployment in regional Australia (EN7963) From 2 petitioners—requesting implementation of the Bradfield Scheme using fusion energy (EN7964) From 3 petitioners—requesting fusion energy hubs in northern Australia (EN7965) From 9 petitioners—requesting review of extremism in Australia (EN9161) From 20 petitioners—regarding the application of Australian law (EN9162) From 9 petitioners—requesting investigation of extremism in Australia (EN9176) From 7 petitioners—requesting review of eligibility and security requirements for public office holders (EN9177) From 5 petitioners—requesting citizenship requirements for election candidates (EN9958) From 3 petitioners—requesting protections for religious expression (EN9959) From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to parental leave entitlements (EN9962) From 46 petitioners—requesting measures to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses (EN10166) From 16 petitioners—requesting parental exemptions from social media age restrictions (EN10169) From 5 petitioners—requesting restoration of streaming services in remote areas (EN10170) From 30 petitioners—requesting changes to the Child Support assessment formula (EN10173) From 60 petitioners—regarding the use of beagles in medical research (EN10174) From 68 petitioners—requesting mobile phone coverage along Summerland Way in New South Wales (EN10176) From 9 petitioners—requesting additional annual leave for parents with dependent children (EN10179) From 2 petitioners—requesting regulations for travel agents (EN10180) From 8 petitioners—requesting regulated access to peptide therapies (EN10181) From 5 petitioners—requesting restrictions on salary increases for federal politicians (EN10183) From 29 petitioners—requesting restrictions on salary increases for federal politicians (EN10184) From 5 petitioners—requesting changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and vehicle repair requirements (EN10185) From 1091 petitioners—requesting an increase to higher degree by research stipend payments (EN10186) From 3 petitioners—requesting an agreement with the United States on access to artificial intelligence systems (EN10188) From 79 petitioners—requesting regulation of light-emitting diode vehicle headlights (EN10189) From 437 petitioners—requesting expanded healthcare roles for nurses and paramedics (EN10190) From 77 petitioners—requesting review of artificial intelligence, data centre and taxation policy (EN10191) From 20 petitioners—requesting installation of a new weather radar in the Gladstone region (EN10199) From 462 petitioners—requesting changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984(EN10202) From 125 petitioners—requesting additional parental leave for parents of premature babies (EN10205) From 65 petitioners—regarding support services for Australian Defence Force members and veterans (EN10207) From 25 petitioners—requesting the imposition of sanctions under the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 (EN10208) From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to Higher Education Loan Program repayment arrangements (EN10210) From 702 petitioners—requesting a pathway to permanent residency for long-term bridging visa holders (EN10211) From 763 petitioners—requesting social security arrangements for former Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786) holders (EN10212) From 55 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Goods and Services Tax registration threshold (EN10213) From 61 petitioners—requesting greater access to superannuation (EN10214) From 1229 petitioners—requesting construction of a Traralgon bypass (PN0658) 2.

The following 23 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 30 June 2026 From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the human rights situation in Afghanistan (EN6998) From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the establishment of a royal commission into foreign interference (EN9406) From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition regarding policy and funding for children with additional needs (EN9415) Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 4 August 2026 From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding truth in political advertising (EN7252) From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding wages and renumeration for Parliamentarians (EN7321) From the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding fraud against the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN8485) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting restrictions on entry of individuals who have served in a foreign military (EN9292) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting financial assistance for veterans during legislative transition (EN9327) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting an inquiry into COVID-19 vaccines (EN9397) From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting an inquiry into arts education and training (EN9412) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to eligibility timeframes for regional skilled migration visas (EN9416) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to processing times and eligibility for regional migration visas (EN9433) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the welfare of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan (EN9537) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting national standards for allergen management (EN9575) From the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to a petition regarding regulation of digital mental health tools (EN9586) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting consideration of listing an Iranian opposition group as a terrorist organisation (EN9592) From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting an inquiry into employment arrangements in the aviation sector (EN9621) From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the proposed Dittmer Project gold mine (EN9634) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to visa eligibility for Israeli Defense Force personnel (EN9667) From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting a motion of no confidence (EN9673) From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting the introduction of menstrual leave entitlements (EN9679) From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting changes to financial transparency requirements for disability service providers (EN9712) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting intervention for a family to remain in Australia (PN0657) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair—Petitions Committee