MARK DREYFUS MP

James Stott, known to everyone as Jim, was a giant of lifesaving in bayside Melbourne.

Labor is committed at all levels of government to combatting elder abuse in all its forms. We will work in Government not just with the States and Territories, but also with our non-government partners, including the CLCs, to combat elder abuse.

If this government truly believes in integrity and the importance of our democracy, they will put partisan politics aside and support Labor's initiative.

I love these events because it gives me an opportunity to listen to the views and experiences of local seniors as well as an opportunity to thank them for the contribution that they have made to making our community the great place that it is.

It is not too late to improve your legacy, Senator Brandis. You can start by respecting the staff of the federal courts.

This is a great moment for our country. At long last, after too long a delay, we have a bill to achieve marriage equality before the House of Representatives, a bill which has already passed the Senate. It will be a greater moment when, as I sincerely hope, this bill passes this House and marriage equality is finally a reality. It will be a moment which makes Australia a better place.

The whole parliament is here drawing a line, sending that message to Australia, inviting Australians to conduct this campaign, to behave in this campaign and to speak in this campaign with kindness, with grace, with acceptance and with tolerance.

Labor is well aware of the many strengths and weaknesses in the existing framework for accountability that exist in the federal sphere. It may well be that additional measures are needed, including perhaps a national integrity commission of some kind.

In the face of pressure we must continue to speak the language of togetherness and harmony. For all our sake

It is a petty and pathetic act by this government to close an office that provides an essential service to one of Australia's most multicultural communities. I can assure the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection that Melbourne's south-east will not forget this attack on our community.