Same-sex marriage bill passed in Parliament without amendments, could be legal in days.

The ABC reports that after hundreds of hours of debate, same-sex marriage has passed the Parliament today, meaning it could be just days before it is legal. It is reported that more than 100 MPs have delivered speeches on the issue this week and most support a change to the definition of marriage. The ABC reports that the Senate has already passed the bill without amendments and the House of Representatives did so today. It is reported that the Governor-General could ratify the law this week to make same-sex marriage legal, which would meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's hope to get it done by Christmas. In debate on Wednesday night, LNP MP Sarah Henderson gave an emotional speech and said that it "means very much to my own family, this change in the law". It is reported that ALP frontbencher Chris Bowen said that it had been a long wait for same-sex couples who want to marry in Australia.

"It's time that that occur and I'm proud that it will occur," Mr Bowen commented.

The first legal same-sex weddings in Australia could happen about January 8, 2018.

Government accused of trying to 'silence' charity sector with new commissioner.

The ABC reports that an outspoken critic of advocacy within the charity sector, who has also courted controversy with his views on welfare recipients, has been appointed as the Federal Government's new charities commissioner. It is reported that former Keating-era ALP MP Gary Johns was today announced by the Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar as the head of the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission, a powerful role which allows him to decide on charity registration, regulation and investigations. It is reported that Community Council chief questions the appointing of an "anti-charities campaigner" as commissioner. The ABC writes that Gary Johns has been a staunch critic of charities that conduct public advocacy work. It is reported that Dr Johns says that he will make the charitable sector more transparent for donors. An ALP MP Andrew Leigh has asked Mr Turnbull to reverse the appointment. It is reported that the head of the Community Council for Australia, David Crosbie, described the appointment as "very bizarre" and warned that Dr Johns would try to "silence" charities.

"Why on earth would you appoint an anti-charities campaigner with no experience in regulation, no experience in running an organisation?" asked Mr Crosbie.

Peter Dutton defends Nauru policy after refugees told to separate from family.

The Guardian reports that the Australian government has defended a policy encouraging refugees held on Nauru to sever ties with their families – including relinquishing all rights to ever see their children – in order to be considered for resettlement in the US. It is reported that the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said on Wednesday that Australia’s policy would not change but that the UN children’s agency and parliamentarians have all urged Australia to uphold international law and the unity of families. The Guardian reports that several hundred asylum seekers have been brought to Australia from offshore processing centres for medical treatment not available in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. In dozens of cases it is reported that their immediate family members have been left on offshore islands and told that, if they want to be considered for resettlement under the US deal, they must abandon their families, or encourage their families to return to offshore processing, even in defiance of doctors’ advice. Immigration minister Peter Dutton said that the government’s policy was that nobody brought to Australia from offshore for medical treatment could be considered for resettlement in the United States. The Guardian reports that Unicef Australia director Amy Lamoin said that the UN’s children’s agency had consistently provided advice to the federal government on the importance of, and legal protections for, family unity.

“Placing people in a position where they have to make an impossible decision – one that may have lifelong ramifications – to choose between their families and an option to live in a safe country with a feasible future is unacceptable.” She said.

Brought to You By

Written By

Image 1http://www.lotl.com/News/Corporate-Australia-Supports-Marriage-Equality-488/
Image 2 http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/former-labor-mp-gary-johns-says-indigenous-women-are-being-kept-pregnant-to-claim-welfare/news-story/633af62a2cf67610f90a7c0ed894ff03
Image 3 http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/news-and-views/opinion/why-sacking-peter-dutton-should-be-at-the-top-of-australias-new-years-resolutions-list-20161226-gti2qh.html