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Petitioning the House of RepresentativesNote: This page contains links to PDF files for more information see Accessing files. Page Menu: An introduction to petitions | Read previous petitions | Preparing a petition | Petitions Checklist | Action on petitions | Submitting a petition An introduction to PetitionsA petition is basically a request for action. The right to petition Federal Parliament has been one of the rights of citizens since federation, and it is the only way an individual can directly place grievances before the Parliament. Petitions may be received by the House on public or individual grievances provided that they relate to matters on which the House has the power to act. Hundreds of petitions are received by the House every year on a variety of matters. The House of Representatives has a Standing Committee on Petitions which receives and processes petitions on behalf of the House. The Petitions Committee is able to inquire into and report on matters relating to petitions following their tabling in the House, and the petitioning system in general. Read previous petitionsYou can read petitions previously presented to the House, along with responses from Ministers, here. Preparing a petitionCare must be taken in the preparation of petitions as the House has rules about their form and content. Before preparing a petition, we encourage you to read the relevant Infosheet, to consult the petitions checklist below and to use the sample petition (PDF - 204 kb) provided to assist you in drafting your petition. The Petitions Committee also encourages petitioners to submit their draft petition to the Committee Secretariat to check that the petition conforms with Standing Orders before you begin to collect signatures. Petitions checklist and sample petitionPlease be aware that a petition must:
Petitioners are encouraged to:
The Secretariat can be contacted at:
Action on petitionsAfter the Petitions Committee receives a petition, it will assess whether it comples with Standing Orders (PDF 167 kb). Petitions found to be in order will then be presented to the House of Representatives and included on the Committee's website. The Committee may also refer presented petitions to the relevant Minister for a response. When the Minister has responded, the Committee will consider the response, then, after presentation in the House, forward the response to the Principal Petitioner and include it on its website. Submitting a petitionPetitions should be submitted by post. The Committee's address is:
Related links:Last reviewed on 20 December, 2011 by the Petitions Secretariat © Commonwealth of Australia Parliament of Australia Web Site Privacy Statement Images courtesy of AUSPIC
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