Change.org Petitions vs Australian Parliamentary E-Petitions: Which is right for my campaign?

Petitions are an important way for citizens to express their opinions, collective concerns and demands to the government. In fact, petitions played a crucial role in the political and social life of several early civilizations, with early records dating back to ancient Egypt, Rome, and China.

In ancient Egypt, citizens from lower socioeconomic backgrounds used petitions often written on papyrus to appeal to the Pharaoh about grievances such as unfair taxation, mistreatment by local authorities, or disputes over land. In ancient Rome, petitions, known as libelli, were submitted to the Emperor by citizens seeking support in the form of financial assistance, legal intervention, or political favors. Ancient China had a structured system for the community to present their case to the Emperor.

Petitions have a historical impact in Australia as well, including the Yirrkala Petition presented to Parliament in 1963 by the Yolgnu people in north eastern Arnhem Land requesting formal recognition of their land rights. It was created with text and bark painting and it won a significant response for the Yolgnu people, including the protection of sacred land.

Petitions are still common and relevant in Australia today. The primary ways to create and submit petitions are through Change.org or through one of the Parliamentary platforms. Either can be effective in driving real change, but it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each when choosing which one is the right fit for you and your cause.

How Do Petitions Work in Australia?

Every day, thousands of Australians start and sign petitions. The right to petition Federal Parliament has been one of the rights of Australian citizens since federation, and it is the only way an individual can directly place grievances before the Parliament. Depending on the nature of the issue, Australians might petition an individual, a business or organisation, or the government. Within government, Australians can choose to direct their petition to a local council, the state or territory government or the Federal government, depending on the nature of the issue. 

Australian Parliamentary E-Petitions Process

Any Australian resident or citizen can create an e-petition on the federal government website, outlining the issue and desired outcome. E-petitions can also be created for the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland, West Australian, Tasmanian and ACT parliaments. You need to follow specific rules and format guidelines to ensure the petition is valid and can be presented to the respective house of Parliament. 

For example, federal petitions must:

• Be addressed to the House
• Identify the principal petitioner and their contact information
• Refer to a matter within the House’s power
• State the reasons for petitioning
• Include a request for action
• Be limited to 250 words

Federal e-petitions are published to the House website for a four-week period to collect signatures. Once the collection period ends, the e-petition is ready for presentation. All petitions are submitted to the Standing Committee on Petitions, which checks for compliance with standing orders. If approved, the petition is presented to the House, often by the chair of the Petitions Committee during designated times.

Australian Petitions Committee Review

The Standing Committee on Petitions was established in 2008 to receive and process petitions. They also make inquiries and report to the House on any matter relating to petitions and the petitions system.

Once a petition is submitted, the committee vets the petition and checks that each petition complies with the standing orders, and if it does, approves it for presentation to the House. Then, the petition gets published on the House website for a four-week period to collect signatures. Once the collection period ends, the e-petition is ready for presentation.

Presentation by the Petitions Committee

The chair of the committee or an MP will present the petitions to the House of Representatives, usually on a sitting-week Monday. Similar petitions may be grouped together, and their content and number of respondents will be presented to the chair of the petitions committee.

After the committee presents a petition to the House, several actions may follow:

1. Referral to a Minister: The Petitions Committee may present the petition to the relevant government Minister responsible for the issue raised in the petition. The Minister is expected to provide a written response to the committee within 90 days. These responses are then tabled in the House, recorded and published on the Petitions Committee’s website.
2. Public Hearing: For selected petitions, the committee may hold a public hearing to gather more information from petitioners and relevant government departments, especially in relation to the Minister’s response.
3. Referral to Another Committee: In rare cases, the House may refer a petition to a different parliamentary committee for further inquiry and to gather other documents. This might happen if the petition raises complex issues that require detailed examination.
4. No Immediate Action: If the petition does not result in any immediate legislative or policy change, it still remains on record. Presenting the petition ensures that the concerns of citizens are formally acknowledged by Parliament, even if no further action is taken.

Change.org Petitions Process

Change.org is a global platform for change, helping people everywhere start campaigns, mobilise supporters, and work with decision makers to drive solutions. Petitioners use the platform to elevate a wide range of causes, resulting in globally trending campaigns.

Anyone can start a petition after creating an account on the website. The petition form prompts you to fill out all of the important details, including:

• Decision maker for the Petition: Identify the person, organization, or entity you want to address with your petition. This could be a government official, a corporation, a school board, or any other decision-maker.
• Title: Write a clear and concise title that captures the essence of your petition.
• Petition Text: In this section, explain the issue you’re concerned about, why it matters, and what you’re asking the target to do. It’s important to be persuasive and fact-based, outlining the problem and the specific action you want to be taken.
• Photos or Videos: You can add visuals to help tell your story and make your petition more engaging.
• Goal for the Petition: Determine the number of signatures you aim to collect. Change.org will suggest a number based on the scope of your petition, but you can set your own goal.

Once your petition is live, you can share it through social media, email, and other channels to gather support. Change.org also offers tools to help you promote your petition, such as sending updates to signers and connecting with other users who might be interested in your cause.

Once you’ve hit your goal or gathered a substantial number of signatures, you can deliver the petition to the target, either digitally through Change.org’s platform or in person. You may also request a meeting or further action from the target to address the issue.Throughout the process, Change.org provides support and resources to help you create an effective petition and campaign.

Comparing Platforms

Parliamentary e-petitions provide starters with a direct line to parliament, but often face regulations including a limited promotion period and a more time-consuming signing process. Also, MPs are not permitted to sign Federal Parliamentary e-petitions, but can and do both sign and start Change.org petitions.

Change.org petitions can be presented in both Federal and State parliaments, but must be supported by an MP and tabled as non-conforming petitions. While this sometimes means they do not require a parliamentary response in the same manner as conforming petitions, Change.org petitions often are more visible due to their social shareability, customisation options and Change’s large audience, meaning that they can often gather a larger number of signatures and make a stronger impact on parliament due to overwhelming community support.

Parliamentary e-petitions

Pros:

• Direct Line to Parliament: Provides a formal and direct channel for petitioners to address the Australian Parliament.
• Guaranteed Parliamentary Consideration: Petitions are reviewed by a relevant governing body, ensuring they are presented and considered.

Cons:

• Regulations and Restrictions: Federal Parliamentary e-petitions are limited to a four-week promotion period and similar limitations also exist for most of the state and/or territory-based petitions
• Time-Consuming Signing Process: Signers must confirm their citizenship or residency, which can deter participation.
• Word Limit: Petitions are often subject to a word limit
• No Supplementary Information: URLs or additional evidence cannot be included.
• MP Restrictions: A Member of Parliament (MP) cannot sign these petitions.

Change.org Petitions

Pros:

• Wide Reach and Visibility: Highly shareable on social media, which can lead to greater public awareness and support.
• Customization: Offers more flexibility in format, including no word limits and the ability to add visuals and links.
• MP Participation: MPs can both sign and start petitions, increasing their potential impact.
• Cross-Platform Use: Can be presented in both Federal and State parliaments as non-conforming petitions.
• Proven Success: Examples of successful Change.org petitions include those addressing stalking laws and saving local businesses.

Cons:

• Parliamentary Response Not Guaranteed: Non-conforming petitions may not require the same level of parliamentary response as formal e-petitions.
• Requires MP Support: To be tabled in Parliament, a Change.org petition must be supported and presented by an MP.

Which Platform is Most Effective?

The impact of a petition depends on various factors, including the number of signatures, the relevance of the issue, and the government’s response.

Australian Parliamentary e-petitions may be easier to bring to Parliament, as they are presented to the House of Representatives and can lead to a response from the minister responsible.

Change.org petitions, on the other hand, may have a wider reach and more visibility, but require an MP to support the petition and table it in Parliament.

Both options regularly result in legal change.

Driving Real Change

The government’s response to petitions can vary. Successful campaigns can lead to policy changes, such as the axing of the tampon tax. Change.org petitions that have been tabled in Australian parliaments include Aggie Di Mauro’s petition to strengthen stalking laws and a petition to Save the Crown and Anchor Hotel in Adelaide.

Politicians may use petitions as a springboard to spark reform, and media coverage can raise the issue’s profile. Petitions have the power to raise widespread awareness and create significant change.Whether you’re looking to advocate for policy reform, protect a local landmark, or address a pressing issue, Change.org provides the platform to amplify your voice. Start your petition and join the many others who have successfully sparked change. If you prefer to support ongoing efforts, browse current petitions to find a cause that resonates with you and add your signature. Every action, big or small, makes a difference. Why not get started today?