A world-class Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia is a step closer to becoming a reality with the selection of a Terrace Road site as the preferred location for the centre.

The site was chosen primarily because of its connection to the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), Heirisson Island (Matta Gerup) and Kings Park (Katta Koomba), which are places of cultural significance to the Noongar people.

A world-class Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia is a step closer to becoming a reality with the selection of a Terrace Road site as the preferred location for the centre.

The site was chosen primarily because of its connection to the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), Heirisson Island (Matta Gerup) and Kings Park (Katta Koomba), which are places of cultural significance to the Noongar people.

MARK MCGOWAN, WA PREMIER: Thank you for joining us. Can I, first of all, acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet today, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, and their elders, past, present and emerging. And can I thank Barry for his excellent welcome to country. And can I thank the members of the Whadjuk Cultural Authority who are here with us today. We've done an enormous amount of work in getting to the point that we're at this point in time.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Let's discuss some of the major news stories of the day, which we've already been discussing, in fact, since the outset. We're joined now by our political panel this Monday from Perth Labor’s Patrick Gorman is with us, welcome Patrick, and from his home base in Gippsland, the National’s Darren Chester, welcome back, Darren. I might go to you first, Pat Gorman, because you've been in the rough and tumble of a Prime Ministerial office, namely Kevin Rudd's.

ALLISON LANGDON, HOST: The COVID peak may be over for WA, but the health system is still in a state of crisis. Perth public hospitals have been forced to declare more than 500 Code Yellows in the past year. And for more we're joined by Federal Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman. Nice to see you this morning, Patrick. I know a lot of this comes down to capacity, right?

Philanthropist Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney has been appointed an Honorary Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his services to Australian health, research and higher education.

Mr Feeney founded The Atlantic Philanthropies more than 40 years ago, which has since donated or invested around $12 billion dollars worldwide. It has largely supported health and social projects, focusing on education, science, health care, children and youth, ageing, human rights and reconciliation.

On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Australian Government is committing $150,000 to the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation to provide more avenues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to reach the international stage.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation brings together more than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, community organisations and individual members to promote and advocate for First Nations’ rights and participation at the United Nations.

The Australian Government is proud to announce the ongoing commitment to the Northern Land Council’s Learning on Country Program, extending the education program for six years to 2028.

This joint initiative connects Aboriginal ranger groups with Territory schools to integrate ‘both ways learning’, increasing school retention and options for pathways to employment.

The addition of $29.4 million will expand the program’s footprint to a total of 19 sites, up from 15, and increase the target cohort to include both middle and senior school students.

The Australian Government is proud to announce the ongoing commitment to the Northern Land Council’s Learning on Country Program, extending the education program for six years to 2028.

This joint initiative connects Aboriginal ranger groups with Territory schools to integrate ‘both ways learning’, increasing school retention and options for pathways to employment.

The addition of $29.4 million will expand the program’s footprint to a total of 19 sites, up from 15, and increase the target cohort to include both middle and senior school students.