On Friday 26 May 2023, the Minister for Indigenous Australians and the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health met with the Referendum Engagement Group.

The meeting was held at Yulara and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, on the lands of the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara peoples.

The Group gathered in the spiritual and geographic centre of the country on the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and on the eve of the historic 1967 Referendum.

Today marks six years since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued at Uluru on 26th May 2017.

Along with National Sorry Day and this year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), it an important time for Australians to reflect.

Six years ago, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across the nation issued the Statement from the Heart, inviting their fellow Australians ‘to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’.

Today marks six years since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued at Uluru on 26th May 2017.

Along with National Sorry Day and this year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), it an important time for Australians to reflect.

Six years ago, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across the nation issued the Statement from the Heart, inviting their fellow Australians ‘to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER:  In Western Australia yesterday we saw an absolutely horrible situation at Atlantis Beach Baptist College. Students have been through an incredibly traumatic night after a shooter attempted to injure students at that school.

NADIA MITSOPOULOS, HOST: Now, what is your level of interest in the Coronation? It's a global event, that's for sure, with a level of pomp and ceremony a lot of us have probably not seen in a lifetime. Now, some of you listening may remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II back in 1953. And I wonder If your level of interest is as big as it was back then? Will you watch? Will you pledge allegiance? Or, once the King's had his day, is it time to get on with the business of becoming a republic. Keen on your views, 1300 222 720.

The West Australia 
Saturday 6 May 2023

We love big things in Western Australia. We are proudly Australia's largest State. We have the Super Pit. And today many of us will be glued to the world's biggest official ceremony of 2023.

The coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey will have a special resonance for WA. Along with our constitutional links, England is the most common birthplace of migrants to the West. It is meaningful for every Australian including longstanding monarchists, and for republicans like myself.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: This week is about three big speeches. First, the big Budget speech from Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Second is the first speech of Mary Doyle, the new Member for Aston. And then tonight we're gonna see Peter Dutton as Opposition Leader give his Budget Reply.

GARY ADSHEAD, HOST: The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and of course, the Member for Perth federally is Patrick Gorman and he joins us now. Thanks very much for your time, Patrick.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for having me on the programme.

ADSHEAD: There's lots for people on welfare in this Budget, but what do you say is in this Budget for everyone else who holds down a job, struggles to pay a mortgage, to pay the grocery bills and all the other costs of living?

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Budget Week. Who better to break it all down for us and give us the scoop on what's really happening? The Assistant Minister to the The Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. In other words, man who knows everything about what's about to unfold. And the former Liberal MP Jason Falinski, who, according to himself, knows absolutely nothing. Gentlemen, thank you both for your time, as ever. Patrick, why don't we start with you? How would you sum up this Budget? Because I've done some rough calculations.

We have just heard, in one speech, every bit of disinformation and misinformation and scare campaigns that exist in this debate.

I am very pleased that politicians can step out of this after this debate on the alteration bill.

Because the one thing, I agreed with in terms of the Leader of the Opposition, is this is not a decision or a play thing of politicians.

It is a decision of the Australians people.

Almost 56 years ago to the day –

Australians voted in the 1967 referendum.

It was a major turning point in the Australian story.