PETITIONS

Ms BELYEA (Dunkley) (10:01): The petitions being presented address issues such as antibullying measures in schools, critically endangered trees, allied health funding for veterans, and defence land divestment. Twelve of the petitions being presented gained more than 1,000 signatures each, with a petition regarding the Office of the Special Investigator attaining over 8,000 signatures.

There are currently 116 petitions open for signatures on the House e-petitions website covering a range of topics including visas, immigration, veterans affairs and artificial intelligence. More certifications will follow at the committee's next meeting. In relation to the inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions, the committee is continuing to examine the evidence to present a report to the House with practical recommendations to support the petitions process in the next couple of months.

A reminder for those wishing to petition government: please ensure you submit a petition that meets federal government responsibilities. A large percentage of petitions being received are deemed out of order because they are the responsibility of either state or local government. We are keen to hear from you with regard to the issues and needs you have at a federal level.

I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the Petitions Committee.