PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: It is wonderful to have the Prime Minister here in the electorate of Perth in the great state of Western Australia, and to be accompanied by Premier Roger Cook. We delivered our Budget one week ago, and one of the big focuses of that budget was housing, making sure more Australians have a place to call home. But it wasn't the first time our budgets focused on housing. This here on Pier Street is proof of our investment in housing.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Welcome back. Who better to get a take on the Budget? I’m sure it won’t run across party lines. Joining me now is Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, and former Liberal MP Jason Falinski.  Pat, we’ve heard about levelling up the playing field, and I thought, great, humble PAYG income taxpayers must be getting a good deal. Then I had a look at the Budget papers. Income tax as a percent of GDP is at a record high, 12.8 per cent.  So those paying income tax, they’re not getting a better deal, are they?

ALLAN NEILSON, HOST: On the line I have Senator, the Honourable Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. Welcome.

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Oh, hello, Allan. Lovely to join you, and a big hello to all your listeners.

HOST: I'm just going to talk to you about the budget and what it means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, the budget that is the Federal Budget.

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Ms Jacqui Curtis PSM as the Australian Public Service Commissioner.

Ms Curtis is a senior leader in the Australian Public Service and brings extensive experience to the role. Ms Curtis is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Taxation Office, having held the role since 2016.

She previously held senior roles at the ATO and the former Department of Human Services.

BETH MACKIEWICZ, HOST: We've been getting into all sorts of Federal Budget commentary and analysis across the station this past week, but I'm delighted to chat to friend of the station and our Federal Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman, on his thoughts after the Budget was passed down on Tuesday.

In an increasingly uncertain and ever-changing world, women and girls in Australia have seen many of the things we take for granted here at home gradually eroded in other parts of the world.

The right to bodily autonomy, the right to appropriate healthcare, the right to the same opportunities and rewards as their male counterparts. 

And of course, in the most extreme places and examples, the right to vote or to work.

But as disheartening and concerning as these backwards steps may be, here in Australia we have a different vision. 

IVO DA SILVA, HOST: Patrick Gorman is the Federal Member for Perth and serves as Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, and he joins us on the program. Good morning, Mr. Gorman. How are you?

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Ivo. I am well. How are you? And I hope your listeners are well.

CHELA WILLIAMS, HOST: Now let’s break it down with Assistant Minister for the Prime Minister and Perth Labor MP, Patrick Gorman. Good morning, Assistant Minister.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Thanks Chela, and thanks to your listeners.

WILLIAMS: Let's start with negative gearing changes. That seems to be the one of the bigger ticket items from the Budget. I have to ask, are there any regrets on breaking an election promise just over a year ago to not amend any negative gearing?

KELLY GUDGEON, HOST: Get in touch and share your thoughts on the Federal Budget this morning. But to find out more about what it means for us here in the Pilbara and the Gascoyne, Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and the Member for Perth. Good morning to you, Patrick. How are you this morning?

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: I'm well, thanks Kelly. And good morning to yourself and your listeners.

STEWART BRASH, HOST: Malarndirri McCarthy is Labor Senator for the NT, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians. Good morning Senator.

MALLARNDIRRI MCCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning Stewart and a big hello to all your listeners. Good to be with you.

HOST: What's in this budget for Territorians?