It has been two months since we met at Government House in Perth. Already we have seen the WA nominees take their message, their mission, further. Showing that these awards ensure the entire community wins. No matter who the final recipient is.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the opening of $1.7 million in grants to support local communities and organisations to celebrate 2024 NAIDOC Week and the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Held across the country from 7-14 July 2024, NAIDOC Week will celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.

OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: Joining me in the studios this afternoon for the first time in 2024 is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and the Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman. Happy New year.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: Happy New Year, Oly. And Happy New Year to all of your listeners.

PETERSON: Have you had an enjoyable break? Did you manage to put your feet up over the last few weeks?

Travelling at 143km/h, GM1 was the first interstate diesel locomotive in Australia. It connected Perth to Sydney and now sits proudly in the Railway Museum in Bassendean.

It was hard to describe to the kids during our summer visit just how big an impact this “Federation train” had on the economy of Western Australia.

In decades past these trains took parliamentarians to Canberra, taking the voice of the west to the east coast-based halls of power.

Today, my job is to take WA's values and turn them into national results.

SENATOR KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR WOMEN: Thanks for coming and Happy New Year. We've got some important changes coming this year for the gender pay gap reporting. So obviously, we've been seeing that gender pay gap start to reduce, but it's not reducing fast enough. At the current rate it's going to take about a quarter of a century for us to reach parity between men and women in the workplace.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW, HOST: The Albanese Government is looking to deliver on its election commitment to help close the gender pay gap in Australia. The latest data shows the average weekly gap for ordinary full-time earnings is around 13 per cent. While it is the lowest level ever, the annual difference over the course of a year balloons out to more than $26,000, or 21.7 per cent.

As part of the Government’s plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia we are investing $7.6 million in additional support for women and children experiencing domestic violence and expanding temporary accommodation places.

Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia (WoSSCA) will receive $4.1 million over four years to fund six additional roles for the Central Australia region. 

An additional case manager position will increase the number of women and families that can be supported in Yuendumu, Papunya, Ntaria and Ti Tree. 

Public consultations on how to strengthen the Commonwealth Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) have opened through until 1 March 2024.

Through the Buy Australia Plan, the Albanese Government has committed to providing more opportunities for First Nations Businesses and increasing sustainable employment. Strengthening the IPP will be key to delivering on this commitment.

Since it was introduced in 2015, the IPP has generated over $9 billion in contracts for more than 3,600 Indigenous businesses.

ANDY PARK, HOST: Joining me now on RN Drive is Patrick Gorman, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. Welcome to you.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: Thank you, Andy. Good to be here.

OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: This is Perth live with Oliver Peterson eight past five. Joining me on the line now is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and the Assistant Minister for the Public Service, the Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman. Good afternoon.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE:  Good afternoon, Oly. And good afternoon to your listeners.