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

September 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
27282930311 Other2
3 Both4 Both5 Both6 Both7 Senate8 Other9
10 Both11 Both12 Both13 Both14 Both15 Other16
17 Other18 Senate19 Other20 Other212223
24 Public holiday25 Senate2627 Senate28 Senate29 Senate30
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