COMMITTEES
Ms BELYEA (Dunkley) (10:01): I present the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Petitions of the 48th Parliament: The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 14 Ministerial Responses 7 September 2026 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Dr 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 ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 11 August and 18 August 2026. 1. The following 12 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 11 August 2026 From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the working definition of antisemitism (EN9035) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs requesting a motion of no confidence (EN9128) From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN9311) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's relationship with the United States (EN9407) From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding stronger penalties for child sexual abuse and exploitation (EN9548) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting Medicare funding for Functional Neurological Disorder Care Plans (EN9549) From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition regarding heat stress in the domestic transport of live animals for export (EN9635) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition regarding the entry of non-citizen child sex offenders to Australia (EN9711) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs requesting a one-off cost-of-living payment for veterans (EN9786) From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding the Canberra Light Rail Stage 2B project (EN9851) Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 18 August 2026 From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting an independent inquiry into foreign influence (EN9562) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting an independent inquiry into the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (EN9563) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair—Petitions Committee Ms BELYEA: There are 68 petitions open for signatures on the House e-petitions website, covering a range of topics, including visas, safe sports standards for athletes, electronic payment processing costs and the use of artificial intelligence smart glasses in public.
The issues raised in the petitions this parliament continue to indicate the varied interests of those who engage with the petitions process. More certifications will follow at the committee's next meeting. In this parliament to date, 1,431 petitions have been presented to the House, with a combined total of 797,000 signatures.
In the upcoming period, the committee will undertake further work on the report for the inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions, with the aim of providing recommendations to support the continued accessibility, sustainability and credibility of the petitions process. Thank you. I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the petitions committee.