MARK DREYFUS MP

The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023 makes critical changes to the Commonwealth Criminal Code to support law enforcement in their efforts to manage and protect the community from those planning, preparing and inspiring others to do harm.

The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the family law system is safe, accessible, simple to use, and delivers justice and fairness for all Australian families.

Administrative review of government decision-making is key to Australia’s system of government. We now have an opportunity to design a new administrative review body that will deliver, and build, on the promise of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal when it was first established almost fifty years ago.

It is the executive government that makes policies and develops proposed laws about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To improve the laws and policies that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to improve outcomes, the Voice must be able to make representations to the executive government.

If approved at the referendum, there will be four simple lines inserted into the Constitution.

Those lines will finally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first peoples in our founding legal document after more than 120 years of exclusion and omission.

Those lines will enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued to the people of Australia, not to the Government. It is now time for the Australian people to decide whether to accept that offer when they vote in this referendum. I trust the Australian people to understand this is an opportunity for a better future, not just for the First Peoples of Australia, but for all Australians.

Our message to everyone attending today is simple. No matter who you are, who you love or where you come from – you should be valued, equal and celebrated.

Journalists should never face the prospect of being charged just for doing their jobs and there is agreement across the Parliament and indeed the community that improved protections are overdue.

Right from the start the Whitlam Government recognised that access to justice was critical to achieving its goal of a just society. Out of that belief came the commitment to Commonwealth Government involvement in Australia’s legal assistance sector – a commitment I share.

journey of recognition and reconciliation. I am confident that Australians will embrace this opportunity and I thank you for being part of this very important conversation.