LAURA JAYES, HOST: The Closing the Gap statement is set to be delivered to Parliament later today. Previous reports are anything to go by. The gap between indigenous and non-Indigenous life outcomes is still far from closing. Indigenous youth, employment and education targets are the focus, and today the federal government will announce officially it is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to create 3000 jobs in remote Australia. Joining me live is Assistant minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy. Malarndirri, thanks so much for your time.

MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, LINDA BURNEY: Thank you all for coming this morning. This is truly history in the making. Today with the introduction of the Constitution Alteration Bill, we are one step closer to making history. One step closer to making history. One step closer to creating a Voice, that makes sure the voices of our people are heard. One step closer to improving lives with a Voice that make a difference. One step closer to moving Australia forward for everyone. This referendum is not about politicians. And it's not about lawyers.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Jumping back to where we started today, at the centre of the Prime Minister's Closing the Gap statement was the first major new commitment in indigenous affairs since the failed voice referendum. The announcement today was worth more than $700 million. Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy had a lot to do with working it up, and she joined us from Darwin to explain it. Malarndirri McCarthy, you've heard and read the Closing the Gap statements from afar this year, all the way from Darwin. Thank you for joining us.

MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, LINDA BURNEY: Thank you all for coming this morning. This is truly history in the making. Today with the introduction of the Constitution Alteration Bill, we are one step closer to making history. One step closer to making history. One step closer to creating a Voice, that makes sure the voices of our people are heard. One step closer to improving lives with a Voice that make a difference. One step closer to moving Australia forward for everyone. This referendum is not about politicians. And it's not about lawyers.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Malarndirri McCarthy we find you not in Canberra in early autumn, but New York in early spring. This comes with the job. I guess you're there leading this Australian delegation. Tell us a little about its work this week.

LIZ TREVASKIS, HOST: Of course, we've been hearing news of flooding throughout the Victoria Daly over the past 36 hours and now rising river levels across the Barkly region. The evacuation of Kalkarindji, Daguragu, Pigeon Hole and Palumpa has resulted in almost 1000 people being evacuated to Katherine before being bused to Darwin to emergency evacuation centres set up at Marrara and the Darwin Showgrounds. Today the Australian Defence Force, the ADF has gotten involved with those evacuations, flying residents out on a massive C-130 Hercules.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Malarndirri McCarthy Can I take you to Linda Burney's remarks which we've quoted there? "There will be a voice, not to the government but to the parliament". Is there a significance in that construction that she said on the Party Room podcast?

Courageous and fearless

A true trailblazer

Our grand lady

These are some of the words that have been used to describe a magnificent woman.

Someone I’ve known for more than 30 years

It is with great sadness that I too pay tribute to Lowitja O’Donoghue

Lowitja dedicated her life to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

And deserves Australia’s deepest respect, gratitude and love.

Lowitja's story

Lowitja’s story is the truth of this country

Ballumb Ambul Kaurna yindamarra Ngadu – yirra bang marang

In my language of the mighty Wiradjuri nation -

I pay my respects to the Kaurna people 

I honour their custodianship and care for country.

Thank you Elaine Magias for the warm Welcome.

It is fantastic to be here amongst so many fabulous women to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Thank you to my friend and colleague  and the longest serving female cabinet minister in Australia’s history Penny Wong for hosting this wonderful event.

It’s very famous and I can see why.

I begin by paying respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the ancient Ngunnawal people, and pay my respect to their elders past and present. 

I want to acknowledge the strength and leadership of First Nations women in Australia – who are so often leaders in their communities, holders of knowledge and strong advocates for equality.