MARK DREYFUS MP

Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Michael Gallacher today announced disaster assistance for the NSW local government area of Nambucca after it was affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides in late May 2013.

Tonight Australia's expert legal team will begin presenting its case in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japan's whale hunting in the Southern Ocean

Public-sector whistleblowers will have greater protection under legislation passed by the Government today.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC has welcomed the passage through Parliament of the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill, which legislates long-overdue protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

Not-for-profit organisations, including community groups and local councils, are reminded that applications close on Friday for Federal Government grants for countering violent extremism.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC today welcomed the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security report examining potential reforms to Australia's National Security Legislation.

Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher today announced additional assistance for farmers hit by the January and February 2013 floods and storms in Ballina, Byron, Gloucester and Richmond Valley.

The final phase of legal proceedings in the case against Japans so-called scientific whale hunting will begin this week with Australia and Japan making oral presentations at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The Gillard Government has asked the Australian Human Rights Commission to conduct an inquiry into workplace discrimination against employees taking parental leave when they are pregnant or caring for a baby.

Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell today launched two important contributions the Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) has made to improving Australias disaster resilience at the opening of AEMI Gardens in Mount Macedon as part of the Open Garden Australia Scheme.