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

December 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Both2 Both3 Both4 Both5 Other6 Other7 House of Representatives
8 House of Representatives9 Other10 Other11 Other12 Senate1314
15 Senate16 Other171819 Senate2021
222324 Public holiday25 Public holiday262728
2930 Senate311234
  • Senate
  • House of Representatives
  • Both
  • Public Holiday
  • Other