Brisbane has a very special place in my heart.
I worked for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd when he was also the local member right here on Brisbane’s Southside. I saw the Public Service respond to the challenges of that era. A world leading response to the Global Financial Crisis. Nation building infrastructure like the National Broadband Network. And school halls and libraries that support students to this very day.
The Albanese Government is delivering more cost of living support for remote First Nations communities by expanding access to the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme.
This means more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities will have access to cheaper groceries.
Under the Scheme, the cost of 30 essential items has been reduced, so they are comparable to prices in urban areas. Remote consumers are seeing savings of up to 50%.
PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: I want to bring in my political panel for today. Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Employment Minister. Garth Hamilton is the LNP MP for Groom in Queensland. Welcome to both of you.
GARTH HAMILTON, MEMBER FOR GROOM: Thank you.
PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here.
JULIA BRADLEY, HOST: Joining me live now to discuss some of today's top stories, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman and former Liberal MP, Jason Falinski. Thank you so much for your time. Jason, I just want to start with you. Given we've got a new Liberal leadership team, federally. Angus Taylor and Jane Hume have been very much on the front foot, apologising for some of those previous policy mistakes. Is this something that voters are going to be able to move on from?
Every day public servants deliver for your fellow Australians. Today, is about you. Your dedication. Your commitment. The commitment to service you bring every day to your work. To you, I say a heartfelt ‘thank you’.
KYLIE BAXTER, HOST: While this was all unfolding, another vote was also taking place designed to help us all make healthier food choices in the supermarket. Food ministers, including Tasmania's Federal Assistant Health Minister, Rebecca White, discussed today whether to make Health Star Ratings compulsory on all food labels. Rebecca White, thanks for joining me on the Drive program.
REBECCA WHITE, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING: You're welcome. Good afternoon, Kylie.
The Albanese Government will continue to support survivors of the Stolen Generations, with an investment of up to $87 million over four years for specialised support services.
These services include family tracing and reunification which are vital in supporting healing and acknowledging the traumatic and intergenerational impacts of forced removal from family, culture and Country.
The investment will ensure ongoing family history research support services for Stolen Generation survivors and their descendants.
PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: The Prime Minister today tabled the government's annual report on progress under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and announced new funding for remote jobs, food, security and health cleaning upgrades. He used a speech in the House to condemn the white supremacy ideology behind the alleged terrorist attack on the Invasion Day rally in Perth that happened last month. Now, I spoke to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, a short time ago.
Minister, welcome to the program.
JOHN PAUL JANKE, HOST: Minister, thanks for joining us, sitting down on a very busy day for you. I want to talk about Closing the Gap. You made some announceables this morning. What is the main achievement that you've seen over the last 12 months when it comes to Closing the Gap?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Thank you for joining us this afternoon. I'd like to acknowledge that we come together on the lands of the Ngunnawal people and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. A pretty special day, and I am joined by the Coalition of Peaks, with Scott Wilson and Catherine Liddle, and we acknowledge Pat Turner, who has worked consistently as my Co-Chair on the Joint Council, for the Coalition of Peaks in Closing the Gap.