6 Women Petition Starters Standing Up For Causes in Australia

Right now, advocacy is more crucial than ever for building and maintaining democracy. That’s why women across Australia are not just voicing their concerns, but actively driving change through the power of petitions. 

On topics ranging from student debt to immigration and domestic violence, these women are turning their convictions into actionable, impactful movements.  We’re celebrating six incredible Australian women who are not only petition starters but also trailblazers in their respective causes. Their dedication, resilience, and innovative approaches are transforming communities and inspiring others to take a stand. 

Learn about these inspirational advocates and the crucial issues they’re tackling.

Karen Iles: Fighting for more police attention on rape, sexual assault and violence against women

Sexual assault survivor, Dharug Aboriginal woman, and lawyer Karen Iles emerged as a powerful advocate for justice against sexual assault and violence with her petition on Change.org. Karen is driven by the police’s inaction on her own report of childhood sexual assault which legal sources say is “among the most serious ever reported to authorities in Australia.” She’s calling for reforms that ensure thorough and unbiased investigations into rape and sexual assault. 

This vital campaign reflects a growing demand for systemic change in how sexual violence is addressed by law enforcement. Too often, cases of sexual violence are inadequately investigated, leaving survivors without the justice they deserve. Karen’s petition seeks to enforce stricter guidelines and accountability measures for police investigations, aiming to create a more supportive and effective system for victims.

Her petition has reached over 50,000 signatures. Karen has become a voice for survivors, speaking about her experiences to the media and at events like Full Stop Australia’s Sexual Violence Awareness Symposium. She’s held 300 meetings with politicians and decision-makers in multiple states. 

Recently, her campaign experienced a win. The Parliamentary inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children recommended a review of policing and best policing practices across the country — one of the key asks of Karen’s petition.

We spoke to Karen and asked her to tell us about her experience of starting a petition, as well as some tips for petition starters:

“My legal and consultancy organisation Violet Co and I embarked on the development of a petition to Make Police Investigate after not only my own experience but that of clients and people I’ve spoken to. We had seen that victim/survivors of sexual assault were not being heard or given the judicial consideration we believed should be given to them.

We started the campaign almost two years ago and have since encouraged over 50,000 people to join our cause through our petition.

Our top tips in starting a petition would include:

• Understand the issues – make sure that you are across not just the issue you are petitioning for, but also the issues surrounding it
• Keep on the news cycle – know what is at the top of social consciousness and tap into it
• Make it easy – ensure that you are covering all platforms for people to be able to easily engage, no matter where they found you.
• Include in all comms material – each communication should have the petition as a sign off, it’s always there as a reminder and easy for people to click through
• Reach to supporters to advocate and champion – you’re not alone! Reach out to those who support your cause and get them to promote on your behalf
• Understand your audience / who you want to sign – make sure you are focused on those who will be receptive to your message
• Providing FAQs – Allow people to question the issue, but provide the answers as to why this petition is so important to them
• Make it easy to share – give your supporters the easiest way to share with their friends
• Data capture – make sure you can talk to these people again. They are already on your side!

For us the best part of our journey has been reaching 50,000 supporters. We dreamed that we could get to this milestone, but were excited that we could engage with that many people, to act.

As a part of the process, we’ve had the opportunity to hear rich stories of our supporters and have engaged with their own experiences. We’ve listened and heard their own take on this issue and have been able to talk about sometimes very sensitive issues. It’s enabled us to know that we are speaking for more than just ourselves.”

Dr Monique Ryan: Saving Australians $3 billion in student debt

Elected to Federal Parliament in 2022, Dr. Monique Ryan is commonly referred to as a “Teal Independent.” This is a growing group of independent MPs who display centrist political policies, with left-leaning social policies addressing issues like climate change and anti-corruption.

In a powerful bid to tackle the escalating issue of student debt, Dr. Monique Ryan launched a pivotal petition on Change.org: “Make Our HECS Debts Easier to Pay Off!”. This campaign spotlighted the financial struggles faced by Australian students and graduates burdened by HECS-HELP debt.

Her petition called for significant changes to the current repayment structure. The goal was to ease the financial pressure on students and recent graduates by lowering indexation to the lesser of either the Consumer Price Index or the Wage Price Index. 

The petition was successful, and will result in wiping out $3 billion of student debt, impacting over 3 million Australians. Monique also inspired many other Australians to take action and start petitions on Change.org advocating for educational reform. Among them is content creator Nariman Dein, who made a petition advocating for more broader eligibility for paid work placements for university students.

Angela Fredericks: Bringing the Nadesalingam family back to Biloela

Angela Fredericks has become a beacon of hope and justice with her heartfelt petition on Change.org, titled “Bring Priya and her beautiful family back home to Biloela, Queensland”. This campaign was a poignant effort to reunite Priya, Nades, and their children with their supportive community in Biloela after enduring years of uncertainty and immigration detention.

Angela originally met Priya during her work in the local hospital, where she was helping Priya with an interpreter. Afterwards, Angela continued to run into Priya in and around the town, and they maintained a cordial relationship. When Angela learned that the Nadesalingams were removed and placed in detention by immigration officials in 2018, she was driven by her deep empathy and commitment to human rights. She rallied Australians around the cause of the Biloela family, who have faced prolonged detention despite their strong ties to the community.

Her petition highlighted the family’s plight, advocating for their return to the town that embraced them and where they have established a life of dignity and contribution.

The #HometoBilo campaign quickly became major national news, with Angela speaking to media and advocating for the Nadesalingams’ safe return to Biloela. The petition was signed by almost 600 000 people before achieving victory, with the family receiving permanent residency. Priya wrote a book about her life, titled “Home To Biloela”. It begins with her childhood in Sri Lanka, and follows her perilous journey to Australia on an overcrowded fishing boat, and her family’s experience in detention after building a life in Biloela.

Aggie DiMauro: Fighting for justice for Celeste

Aggie Di Mauro is keeping hope alive with her Change.org petition, “Justice for Celeste,” a campaign dedicated to seeking justice for her daughter, Celeste Manno. Celeste was tragically killed by a stalker in 2020. Aggie’s petition aims to honour Celeste’s memory and push for meaningful changes in how such cases are handled by authorities to prevent further violence.

Celeste Manno’s death shocked the nation, highlighting urgent issues within the justice system, including the need for better protections and support for victims of stalking. Aggie is calling for reforms that would ensure more rigorous investigations and stronger preventive measures to protect individuals from similar tragedies by introducing mandatory life sentences for murder.

Aggie has fought for justice for her daughter by speaking at violence against women rallies attended by tens of thousands of Australians, giving moving interviews to major media outlets, and meeting with key politicians and decision makers. Another one of her petitions to strengthen anti-stalking laws was tabled in Parliament in 2020, with the Attorney-General committing to urgently review the laws.

Aggie’s campaign for mandatory life sentences for murder continues, and she has been honest about the challenges of continuing to campaign and rally support over such a long period. Her refusal to abandon her campaign and her commitment to finding justice for her daughter is a testament to how petitions can build community and sustain hope.

“Starting my own petition was initially overwhelming, but taking the leap has been incredibly rewarding. I underestimated the number of people who would rally behind our cause, and connecting with passionate individuals who share my vision has been both inspiring and hopeful. It’s amazing to see how the power of unity can ignite such a meaningful movement for change.” Aggie told Change.org. 

Debbie Issi: Saving cardiac surgery

When Debbie Issi’s daughter Alexia was transferred to the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick with dangerously low oxygen levels after a severe influenza infection, she relied on an ECMO machine to oxygenate her blood and keep her alive. When the Health Minister Hon. Ryan Park announced the government’s plans to stop cardiac surgery at the hospital, Debbie took to Change.org, She started a petition to fight to save the treatment that children like Alexia urgently need.

Interestingly, Debbie was not the first woman to throw her weight behind this cause in the form of a petition. Fellow Aussie mother Jess Low and her husband Peter led a previous petition in 2019 to reinstate cardiac services at the hospital after their son, Cooper, spent 276 days there with inflammation of the heart. Their petition was signed by more than 60,000 people. At the time, Park was a spokesperson for health for the Opposition, and said it was “now time to have these services delivered back to this world-class hospital”. However, when the Labor Party was elected, they rescinded their support and moved to close the hospital.

The two petitions have now collectively grown to almost 80,000 signatures. This community support prompted engagement from decision makers including Philipa Veitch, the Mayor of Randwick City Council and Greens spokesperson for Health in the NSW Parliament Dr Amanda Cohn. Both committed to continuing to fight for cardiac surgery at the hospital.

Cheree Toka: Flying the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Proud Kamilaroi yinarr Cheree Toka’s petition, “Fly the Aboriginal Flag 365 days a year on the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” is a powerful testament to the role of First Nations women in driving social progress in Australia. Cheree’s campaign calls for the continuous display of the Aboriginal flag on one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks. Her petition aimed to honour and recognise Aboriginal culture and history with the same reverence afforded to other national symbols.

When she began her campaign at age 26, Cheree had never voted, let alone engaged in politics or advocacy. Little did she know that this petition would garner the support of over 175,000 people over a five year campaign. Over that time, she grew her campaign through media initiatives like doing the BridgeClimb (despite being afraid of heights), taking interviews, meeting with politicians, and raising tens of thousands of dollars after being told flying the flag 365 days a year was too expensive. The petition was successful, and the Aboriginal Flag now sits proudly over Sydney Harbour every day of the year.

Her advocacy journey with Change.org has inspired her to one day enter a career in politics. Off the back of her campaign, she was invited to put her name forward for a spot on Labor’s ticket at the Inner West council elections, but declined for now:
“I’m not ready yet,” she told The Guardian. “Give it a few years.”

A legacy of advocacy

These six women represent a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, political leanings and areas of interest, but they are connected by one common belief: that things can be better, and that they have the power to make them so. These women have made a difference for all Australians, building communities, raising awareness, and impacting Parliament and law. 

Inspired by these stories? Start your own petition today and fight for change in your community.