MARK DREYFUS MP

On behalf of our nation, we offer you our unreserved apology for the grief and pain these practices have caused and vow to ensure these practices are never repeated.

This Labor government is committed to building and maintaining a culture of transparency. An open and transparent government is a key feature of a healthy democracy.

This bill establishes sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status as protected grounds of discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act.

Ensuring that individuals across Australia are supported in the aftermath of these disasters is critical to the recovery of communities. The Australian government stands ready to support disaster ravaged communities, providing the support they need to get back on their feet. The government already provides a range of assistance, both by working with the states through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and directly with the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and a number of ex gratia disaster payments.

The Marriage (Celebrant Registration Charge) Bill will provide legislative authority to charge Commonwealth registered marriage celebrants an annual celebrant registration fee.

The Marriage Amendment (Celebrant Administration and Fees) Bill 2013 will help to improve the services celebrants provide to couples and their families on their wedding day.

It is essential that federal courts and tribunals are properly supported in their efforts to prevent, as far as possible, security incidents arising on their premises and to respond quickly and appropriately to control incidents when they do arise.

The Labor Party has always been the party which stands up for freedom of speech and democracy in this country. It is the Labor Party which has for over a century now fought for the protection of democratic values. It is the Labor Party which has fought for legal protections which allow all Australians - all Australians - to exercise their right to speak freely and engage in democracy, not just those with the most vitriolic views.

The government cannot undo the past. It cannot take away the pain. But we can listen and we can bear witness. And, when the royal commission has completed its work, we can act to prevent these crimes and injustices from happening again.

The changes implemented by this bill form an important part of the government's broader court reform package.