MARK DREYFUS MP

The bill makes a modest but, I believe, worthwhile contribution to the suite of measures required to deal with Australia's copyright piracy problem. Copyright law is vital to fostering creativity and innovation.

This decision is wrong. Cutting funding to providers of emergency relief providers that already get by because of the time and often the money of volunteers is wrong.

Were gathered here today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act, which was passed in 1975 in implementation of our international obligations under the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination.

The government's misrepresentation of the purpose of the Paid Parental Leave scheme shows just how out of touch they are with the needs and priorities of our community.

This, like so many others, is a promise that the Abbott Government has broken. Without any review or consultation, the government announced in the 2014 budget that they would abolish the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

It has been said that history repeats itself: first as tragedy, then as farce. This is certainly true of the Abbott government's two budgets.

Serious as these new cuts are, compounding last year's, what is of much greater concern is that Senator Brandis has ripped $105 million from the Australia Council and placed it under his personal control.

With the death of Betty Churcher, Australia has lost one of its great champions for the arts.

The work done by government lawyers continues to be crucial to the public interest. It continues to be technically demanding and to require specialised knowledge and skill. In moments of crisis, it requires the same sort of initiative and creativity shown by Robert Garran and his contemporaries.

Australia owes Malcolm Fraser a great debt for a life of distinguished public service. We are poorer for his passing.