Tax policy has always been a topic of discussion in my family.

While my mum and dad were working as teachers, it was my great-grandmother, Lucy, who looked after me as a child. Lucy had worked at the Australian Taxation Office for decades. She was working when women were systematically paid less than men, and the tax-free threshold was just 100 pounds.

She was a proud public servant who helped war widows like herself get the support they needed. Her final working years were at the new tax office building at 1 St Georges Terrace, now converted to the Duxton Hotel.

First Nations pre-schoolers in a small Victorian Aboriginal community will return from the summer holidays to a new and locally-designed outdoor kindergarten, offering cultural learning activities and adventures on-Country, thanks to a grant from the Albanese Government.

Lake Tyers or Bung Yarnda, is on the south coast of Victoria, on the lands of the Gunaikurnai people.

The Commonwealth’s $45,000 investment means 3-5 year old kindergarten kids will have a tailor-made outdoor learning and playground, offering;

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Happy Australia Day, Patrick Gorman. So many awardees; who inspired you the most?

ALI MOORE, HOST: But that announcement today by the Prime Minister made at the National Press Club was also where he defended the decision by the Government to redraw the stage three tax cuts to redesign them. The Prime Minister said it was the right thing for the right reason. So, a broken promise or an economic necessity? What do you think? 1300 222 774. Katy Gallagher is the Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher, welcome to Drive.

SENATOR KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Thanks for having me on Ali.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a tax cut for every Australian woman taxpayer commencing on July 1.

Labor’s tax cuts will put more money back in the pockets of Australian women to provide cost of living relief and will mean if women want to pick up an extra shift or an extra day of work, they keep a larger proportion of what they earn.

Labor’s tax plan will see Australian women taxpayers, on average, receive a tax cut of $1,649 from 1 July.

This is a special place. Great art resides here. Great Australians are celebrated here. The works of a former Australian of the Year hang here: Arthur Boyd. And the spirit of another lives on here: Betty Churcher. ‘Blockbuster Betty’ as she was known.

The Australian Government has today taken a key step to improving the experience of victims and survivors of sexual violence by asking the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to undertake an inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence.

The inquiry is an essential part of the Government’s $14.7 million 2023-24 Budget commitment to strengthen the way the criminal justice system responds to sexual assault and prevent further harm to victims through the justice process.

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting more First Nations women, children and families and providing a $23.2 million boost to expand the Healing for Families initiative to a total of 12 locations across Australia.

The Healing for Families program will deliver culturally-based and trauma-informed healing support where it is needed most – such as counselling and therapy, financial support and advice.

This Australia Day, the Australian Government and National Australia Day Council are providing $11.7 million in funding for 668 inclusive events across the country.

Australia Day is about our ever-evolving national story—of our history, our lives and most of all our people.

668 events are being supported by the Australian Government in local communities across Australia as people come together to reflect, respect and celebrate what it is to be Australian.

Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman will today travel to the Republic of the Marshall Islands to represent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Presidential Inauguration of Her Excellency Hilda Heine.

Assistant Minister Gorman’s visit to Majuro will reaffirm Australia’s partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Pacific family.

Attending the Inauguration will provide Assistant Minister Gorman with the opportunity to engage with President Heine and Pacific leaders.