MARK DREYFUS MP

Despite dramatic change and growth in Australia as a nation over the last 100 years, Australia's Constitution remains very much as it was originally drafted

More than most other areas of policy, urban planning calls for an active role from government because we have a collective interest in the form of our cities.

This bill serves two purposes: it enables the recognition of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat as a memorial of national significance and it provides us with a mechanism for recognising other memorials as nationally significant.

The re-establishment of a real role for the Commonwealth in the field of dental health, which is what this legislation represents, is a reflection of this government's belief in the importance of the role of the national government in public health.

The reform of the mental health system, using the new stepped care model that has been adopted in South Australia, will deliver an estimated 86 additional adult beds across all levels of care, bringing the state total to 516 adult mental health beds.

The rules of evidence applied in Australia regulate the conduct of disputes in courts and tribunals. They determine the evidence which is admitted and the shape of both the form of proceedings and how courts and tribunals go about deciding disputes. The rules of evidence are a very important part of our system of justice.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is very important to the people of Australia. Along with Medicare and public hospitals, it forms a cornerstone of our public health system.

Men and boys face specific health concerns relating to anatomical and biological differences and also to differences in lifestyle and culture which are far too often overlooked.

The very first thing we need to do is to pursue through diplomatic efforts the banishing of the mandatory death penalty.

This commitment is an innovative response to the housing affordability crisis which is besetting our country.