New AG backs gay marriage
New federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus (pictured) supports gay marriage and plans to keep the inclusion of sexuality and gender diversity as protected groups under proposed anti-discrimination laws.
Former attorney general Nicola Roxon stepped down on February 2 citing family reasons and will return to the backbench until the September 14 election, when she will retire from federal politics.
Finance Minister Penny Wong was elected to deputy leader in the Senate after Communications Minister Stephen Conroy was elected as its new leader, replacing retiring WA Senator Chris Evans.
In 2004, Roxon as shadow attorney general announced Labor would back the Howard government鈥檚 gay marriage ban.
However, last year both Roxon and Dreyfus voted for marriage equality. in the Lower House.
Under Dreyfus, LGBTI people may have federal anti-discrimination protections for the first time in the country鈥檚 history.
