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.)

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

September 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
311 Both2 Both3 Both456
7 Both8 Both9 Both10 Both111213
14151617181920
21 Senate222324252627
2829301234
  • Senate
  • House of Representatives
  • Both
  • Public Holiday
  • Other
31 Aug 25
House sitting
31 Aug 25
Senate sitting
2 Sep 25
Senate 2/3 cutoff