The 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report shows signs of mixed progress on Closing the Gap targets.

Targets improving or "on track":

• Babies born with a healthy birthweight (89.5%)
• Children enrolled in preschool (96.7%)

Targets worsening or "not on track":

SARAH FERGUSON, HOST: In an unexpected move yesterday, the National Party announced its opposition to a Voice to Parliament. Party leader David Littleproud said ‘the Voice would make no practical difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians’. Coalition Senator Jacinta Price went further arguing the proposal is divisive and empowers so called urban elites. Linda Burney is the Minister for Indigenous Australians, I spoke to her earlier from Canberra. Linda Burney welcome to 7.30.

The Australian Government has secured the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory, and the gradual return of the site to the Mirarr Traditional Owners, with Parliament passing legislation to continue government oversight of the clean-up project.

Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

In Australia, one woman dies every 10 days at the hands of her former or current partner and one in three women has experienced violence by an intimate partner.

The Albanese Government is acting to make workplaces safe from sexual harassment with the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation (Respect@Work) Bill through Parliament.

Sexual harassment is not inevitable – it is preventable.

This historic Respect@Work legislation significantly progresses gender equality by ensuring women are able to earn a living in safe, sexual harassment-free workplaces.

The legislation closely follows the recommendations of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, left unfinished by the former government.

NOUR HAYDAR, HOST: Katy Gallagher, thanks for speaking with Afternoon Briefing. Before I get to some questions about your role as Minister for Women, I do just want to start by asking you some questions about some breaking news. Do you think it is appropriate for Scott Morrison to remain in Parliament, given this inquiry has found that secrecy around his appointment to multiple ministries was corrosive of trust in government?

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER:  I am so happy that 6,800 families in the Perth electorate will benefit from our changes delivered by the Parliament this week for cheaper childcare. When it comes to the nation, that is 1.2 million families who will benefit by making it more affordable to send our children to get the early childhood education care they need.

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: Senator Katy Gallagher is the Finance Minister of Australia, ACT Labor Senator - she's just stepped out of the chamber having provided a contribution to speeding this process up in this parliamentary sitting. Senator Gallagher, we do really appreciate your time on Mornings.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER: It's nice to talk to you too, Adam. Thank you.

SHIRLEY: What have you put forward in the last 15 minutes or so and what is the impact of that?

The Albanese Government is delivering on an election commitment by joining with more than ten global partners, including the United States, to launch the world's first Net Zero Government Initiative at COP27.

The Net Zero Government Initiative commits governments around the world to lead by example and achieve net zero emissions across their own government operations.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Plenty on the plate for the government and the Prime Minister in particular. He's had a relatively successful trip overseas. These are slight thawing of relations with China. He comes back, though, needing an urgent solution to the gas spiralling crisis in terms of costs and supply as well, and, of course, the IR bill. Joining me now is Assistant Minister the PM, Patrick Gorman. And this used to be Gorman-Falinski time. Do you miss your old sparring partner?