The Australian Government is funding 52 new health infrastructure projects across the country – building and renovating clinics, improving staff housing and building the capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

As Co-Chairs of Joint Council on Closing the Gap, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney and the Lead Convener of the Coalition of the Peaks, Pat Turner, will jointly announce more than $120 million for major capital works at community‑controlled organisations.

The Australian Government is funding 52 new health infrastructure projects across the country – building and renovating clinics, improving staff housing and building the capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

As Co-Chairs of Joint Council on Closing the Gap, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney and the Lead Convener of the Coalition of the Peaks, Pat Turner, will jointly announce more than $120 million for major capital works at community‑controlled organisations.

The Australian Government will invest $2.8 million into a partnership with the Northern Territory Government to pave the way for Indigenous-led marine park management in the south-west Gulf of Carpentaria.

This partnership delivers on an election commitment to support Traditional Owners of the Limmen Bight region to work with both levels of government to protect the unique natural and cultural values of Sea Country in the Limmen Bight.

On Tuesday, 13 December 2022, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Attorney General, the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians met with the Referendum Engagement Group (the Group) for the second time.

The Group discussed the significant progress made by the Government towards holding a referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the second half of 2023.

For too long, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and businesses have been disadvantaged by the sale of inauthentic arts and crafts, which leads to cultural and economic harm.

The Albanese Government is committed to fixing this and has today welcomed the Productivity Commission's final report onAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts.

On Monday 12 December 2022, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Attorney-General, the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians met with the Referendum Working Group (the Working Group) at Parliament House in Canberra.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Yesterday the Reserve Bank pushed up interest rates for the eighth time this year to 3.1%. Katy Gallagher is the Minister for Finance and for Women, and she joins us this morning. Welcome back to Breakfast.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Thanks for having me on Patricia.

KARVELAS: Rates have jumped from 0.1% to 3.1% in just seven months, it's been really fast - has the RBA moved too quickly?

Today, the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Australians and Ministers responsible for Indigenous Affairs from all States and Territories held a meeting in Hobart. The Australian Local Government Association also attended the meeting.

Ministers reiterated their support in-principle for the Australian Government’s work to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.

The Australian Government is investing $334 million in the future of First Nations children, with the delivery of more than 550 early years and education activities to 100,000 children and students.

The Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will announce the funding at a meeting of state and territory Ministers for Indigenous Affairs in Hobart, Tasmania on Tuesday 6 December, 2022.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Well, let's check in on the political week that's going to be said to be dominated again by energy prices in particular, exactly what the Federal Government is going to do on coal and gas. Joining us to spill the beans on that - Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. And of course, did I segue, why that was such a good idea, whatever the Labor Government decides, as former Liberal Jason Falinski. Gentlemen, thanks again, Both, for your time. Both of you in Sydney today.