link to petition

Petition Reason Over 40,000 people are reported missing in Australia each year. While most are found within a week, around 800 become long term missing persons. For every person that goes missing, research has shown that at least 12 people are directly affected; financially, emotionally and psychologically. The families and friends of missing persons are confronted with profound and complex challenges they never imagined they’d have to face, and they must navigate this alone. We – Missing Persons Advocacy Network (MPAN) – are the only organisation in Australia committed to humanising missing persons, creating awareness for the associated issues, and providing critical support to those left behind. Established by the family of missing WA man Tony Jones in 1988, National Missing Persons Week (1-8 August 2021) is a platform for raising much needed awareness of missing persons in Australia. For MPAN, the week is our biggest opportunity to tell the stories of the loved ones we work with, give Australians an insight into the impacts of ambiguous loss, and generate widespread community support. Unfortunately, there is currently no official recognition of National Missing Persons Week in place by the Australian Government. Officially recognising National Missing Persons Week in Australia goes beyond the week’s recognition. It is also a clear demonstration that the Australian Government acknowledges and stands with the thousands of Australians plagued by missingness every day.

Petition Request We therefore ask the House to encourage the Australian Government to officially recognise National Missing Persons Week (commencing the first Sunday of August, annually).