MARK DREYFUS MP

In an extraordinary report tabled today, the Governments own Senators have joined Labor in calling for a guarantee of additional funding for Legal Aid before a bill to ban the direct cross-examination of domestic violence survivors is passed through Parliament.

Labor welcomes the governments belated announcement that it will introduce legislation to prevent domestic violence victims from being cross-examined by their abusers.

Labor is calling on the Government to match our commitment of $25 million to establish a Corporate Crime Taskforce, to equip the Commonwealth Public Prosecutor to respond to recommendations for criminal prosecution which stem from the Banking Royal Commission.

The Turnbull Government must show it is serious about stopping Japan's proposal to lift the global moratorium on commercial whaling by sending a senior Minister to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to tackle the issue head on.

Labor welcomes today's announcement by Australia, the United States and Japan of a trilateral partnership to invest in infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region.

Labor is deeply concerned about the suppression of democracy in Cambodia and in particular Prime Minister Hun Sen's threats to unleash civil war if his bid to extend his 33 year rule is rejected in last weekend's election.

Today marks the six-month anniversary of Bill Shorten's announcement that Labor will legislate for a National Integrity Commission within 12 months of government.

In the last sitting week of Parliament before the long winter break, the Attorney-General tabled a regulation that will see the Government pocketing buckets of extra money from vulnerable families that use the Family Court. The regulation will see fees for families that use the Family Court increased annually instead of every two years.

Federal Labor is appalled by reports emerging over the weekend around Japan wishing to lift the ban on commercial whaling for profit.

Today marks the official commencement of the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.