I've just walked out of the Senate, where the Labor Party has just prevented another vote on marriage equality. I know the activities of Parliament this week have been confusing. So, I wanted to tell you all, straight away, the truth.

Labor have decided that waging a political war with us over Senate voting reform is more important than the love and relationships of LGBT Australians, like me. I am so disappointed. I know that many people in our community will be too.

Greens MP and employment spokesperson Adam Bandt says the government lacked courage to remove coercive powers from the controversial Australian Building and Construction Commission. Mr Bandt said the government accepted some changes to the laws but unfortunately the bill that passed the house failed to restore equal rights to workers in the industry.

Bandt unsuccessfully moved amendments to remove the coercive powers. He also tried to limit the powers to more serious offences carrying a penalty of 12 months imprisonment.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and the Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt talk to reporters in Canberra about the mining tax, after the Prime Minister's MRRT announcement.

Senator Brown said superannuation taxation arrangements can be made much more socially equitable and the Gillard Government's open cheque book approach to refunding mining companies for royalties paid to states should be reviewed by the Senate.

Adam Bandt also commented on his move in the House of Representatives to amend the McCarthyite Building & Construction Commission bill.

Greens MP and employment and workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt says he will move to amend controversial building and construction commission laws.

The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011 is due to be debated in the Parliament today and the government has said it wants it to pass the House of Representatives this week.

"In a democracy, people in the building industry shouldn't have fewer rights than accused criminals," Mr Bandt said.

Greens MP and employment and workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt says he will move to reinstate the rule of law by removing coercive powers from the government's building industry commission bill.

The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011 was introduced into the House of Representatives today.

"In a democracy, people in the building industry shouldn't have less rights than accused criminals," Mr Bandt said.