The Speaker of Federal Parliament, Peter Slipper, has stood down in the wake of a growing scandal involving allegations of fraud and sexual harassment against a young male staffer.

Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown has stepped down from his position as party leader and announced his plans for retirement after 16 years in the Senate.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has once again been rocked by claims of widespread bullying within its ranks and a culture prejudicial to women, ethnic minorities as well as LGBTI people following the discovery of yet another Facebook page used by serving and former Defence staff featuring hateful and offensive messages. 

Advocates for marriage equality are preparing for their dinner with Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the Lodge on Tuesday night where they will be able to discuss in person the case for same-sex marriage.

The ACT is planning to recognise same-sex unions as equal to marriage in draft laws introduced to the Legislative Assembly.

CANBERRA: Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie will soon announce a motion today aimed at reassuring Christians that religious celebrants and churches will not be forced to perform same-sex marriages if there are changes made to the Marriage Act.

Federal Finance Minister Penny Wong and former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally will be the guests of honour at two special Rainbow Labor events to be held in Sydney and Canberra in coming days, as party members gear up for the likely debate on marriage equality at the Labor National Conference next month.

CANBERRA: In a little over a few hours, four everyday Australians will join marriage equality lobbyists as they sit down for dinner with four federal Independent MPs in a bid to show how supporting same-sex marriage rights is important to help make Australia a fairer place for all.

Marriage equality advocates from across Australia will sit down to dinner with key Independent MPs next Monday, October 31.

CANBERRA: About 60 supporters of marriage equality visited Australian Parliament House today to lobby MPs on the issue.

Yesterday saw the official launch of MyMarriageStory.com.au as part of the Real Families, Real Stories campaign.