BARWIK: When I sort of continued that conversation with David Littleproud, yes, he did say that would be the plan. It would be flying department heads in from Canberra to remote communities, all remote communities across the Territory to sit down with elders and get many more people's opinions on what sorts of policies should be made. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is the ALP Senator for the Northern Territory. She's also the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health.

ALI MOORE, HOST: Well after the failed referendum for an Indigenous voice to Parliament, What's the future for consultations and engagement to try to close the gap and address Indigenous disadvantage? A delegation of Victorian Indigenous leaders have taken their voice to Canberra today. They've had a series of meetings with the Prime Minister and with senior ministers, including Malarndirri McCarthy, the Senator for the Northern Territory and the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health. Senator, welcome to Drive.

LAVERTY: We all know hospitals at the moment are pushed to the brink and it is not a problem unique to the Northern Territory. This is being experienced right around Australia and indeed the world. But some of the pressures on our Territory hospitals are unique. This week experts have spoken about the high levels of renal failure caused by unmanaged diabetes, which they say are at absolutely unprecedented levels. And the thing is, there really is something that can be done about this.

NATALIE BARR, HOST: A legendary Australian entrepreneur is leading calls to change the date of Australia Day this morning. Dick Smith wants it moved and the name change to 'First Fleet Day', something he first put forward when he was named Australian of the year back in 1987. It comes as tens of thousands of people prepare to march in Invasion Day rallies across this country today, while many others look forward to celebrating the national holiday. Joining me now is Labor Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy and Independent MP for Fowler Dai Le.

LAURA JAYES, HOST: Let's go live now to Assistant Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy. It's a pleasure to have you on the show this morning. It's Australia Day. Do you celebrate Australia Day or is that too strong of a word?.

ANGELA BISHOP, HOST: Welcome back to 10 news first midday. January 26th is a complicated day for many, particularly our First Nations people. To discuss it today, we're happy to welcome Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy to the desk and thanks so much for joining us today. Can we start with January 26th? You're among those who don't think we should move Australia Day to a different date. Why is that?

I began writing this on the 25th day of January.

It's 10.30am in the Coronary Care Unit of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Eora country, and the room where my son laid in, is empty.

Since after Boxing Day, he has battled his way through a heart attack, angiogram and now to this moment. Surgeons are implanting a defibrillator on him to keep this young Yanyuwa Kuku-Yalanji man of 25 years, strong of heart.

I sit in the waiting room as the clock ticks by with my youngest son in the operating theatre.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Being Friday, it's Falinski/Gorman time, I'm going to truncate that introduction, because Joe Biden's taken up a lot of our time. So let's get straight into it. Gentlemen, Patrick, I'll start with you. You like to be a bit of a diplomat, but when is it time for the Labor Party to stop saying, 'well, Paul Keating was a great Prime Minister,' and just say, 'yep, he's got no idea about foreign policy anymore.'

ANDY PARK, HOST: Australia Day means different things for different people. For some of you, it's about becoming an Australian citizen. For others, it's a holiday, a day to celebrate a chapter of this land's history. But for some of you, this is a day of mourning and a reminder that this country's journey to reconciliation with First Nations people is a long one. For Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Today, the 26th of January has suddenly had a new meaning for her. A personal meaning, if you like. And she says she feels gratitude today because her son is okay.

CO-HOST: Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is with us, Senator, how would you describe what January 26th means to Australia in 2024?