While much of parliament, the media and media-watchers yesterday were distracted by Labor's leadership crisis, it was also a busy day for policies and actions. Here's a list of the things you may have missed during one of the most tumultuous days in federal politics this year:
The national apology for forced adoptions took place. Julia Gillard gave an emotional speech to Australian women who had their children wrongly taken away from them in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, apologising for past policies and practices. She also outlined a plan for funding to assist those affected by forced adoption, including $5 million for mental health care.
The Opposition Leader also spoke at the Canberra ceremony, and was heckled by audience members after using the term “birth mother” to describe women who had their children forcibly taken away.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) passed in parliament. The House of Representatives accepted Senate amendments to NDIS legislation, clearing the way for the scheme to go ahead. Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin described the bill as the most significant social reform since Medicare. Coalition MPs welcomed the move.
Four of the federal government's proposed media laws were rejected. The federal government was forced to dump the four remaining media reform bills after failing to get enough support from cross bench MPs to support them. The move means the controversial appointment of a media advocate to oversee the policing of news media will not go ahead.
