Petitions

A 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.

  • Senate Petitions

    The presentation of a petition to the Senate is a proceeding in Parliament and is protected by parliamentary privilege. The publication of a petition before presentation is not similarly protected. (See Chapter 2, Australian Senate Practice, Parliamentary Privilege, Circulation of petitions.)

Related Resources and Links

Senate

House of Representatives

What is a Petition?

Individuals and organisations may seek to have petitions presented to the Parliament. A petition expresses a point of view, usually on matters of public policy, and contains a request for action, or in some cases, not to take action. The right to petition Parliament has been one of the rights of citizens since Federation.

Each house of the Parliament has its own rules that documents must follow in order to be accepted as petitions.

Parliament House Calendar

February 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
27282930311 Other2
3 Other4 Both5 Both6 Both7 Other8 Other9
10 House of Representatives11 House of Representatives12 House of Representatives13 House of Representatives14 Other15 Other16
17 Other18 Other19 Other20 Other21 Other22 Other23
24 Senate25 Senate26 Senate27 Senate28 Other12
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