Report 1 of 2025
Appendix 1
Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET ESTIMATES
Department/Agency: Department of the Senate
Outcome/Program Group:
Topic: Petitions
Senator: Senator Payman
Question reference number: 107
Type of question: Written, 10 December 2025
Date set by the committee for the return of answer: 29 January 2026
Number of pages: 1
Question:
The House of Representatives has a platform on the APH website for e-petitions to be created in accordance with the standing orders of that house.
- Does the Department of the Senate or DPS have plans to create a similar facility for e-petitions to the Senate?
- If not, why not?
- Please provide a list of the numbers of conforming and non-conforming petitions presented to the Senate in the last 5 financial years, and this financial year to date.
Answer:
- No.
- The way petitions are dealt with is set out in standing orders 69-71. Any changes to that approach would require a decision of the Senate.
| Year |
Petitions that comply with SOs |
Non-conforming petitions |
| 2020-21 |
14 |
12 |
| 2021-22 |
4 |
3 |
| 2022-23 |
3 |
14 |
| 2023-24 |
5 |
10 |
| 2024-25 |
4 |
13 |
| 2025-26 (to date) |
1 |
6 |