The petition, which calls on the government to declare a climate emergency, was presented to the House of Representatives by the Member for Warringah, Ms Zali Steggall OAM, MP. In presenting the petition, Ms Steggall said, ‘I rise to present a historic petition signed by 404,538 fellow Australians, who are calling on their parliament to take urgent action on climate change.’
In the House of Representatives, a petition can be presented on paper or electronically. To be accepted it must follow the standing orders of the House and be about something for which the House is responsible. It also must be clear what the petition is asking the House to do.