OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: Let's go to Canberra now, where Patrick Gorman, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Labor's member for Perth, joins us live. Patrick, good afternoon.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, Oly, and good afternoon to your listeners who, like me, are in a little bit of shock about your massive announcement.

KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Joining me live in the studio is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. Patrick, thanks for your time. On the environmental law reform. The Minister's convinced he's going to get it through the Parliament this week. Would you prefer to be doing the deal with the Coalition, given the compromise likely you'd have to make with the Greens to get it through?

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: It is the final sitting week of 2025. This year, the Australian people returned the Albanese Labor Government to deliver for Australian people. It is great to be here with one of the excellent new additions to Parliament, my mate, Tom French the Member for Moore. And the Member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea, excellent to have seen her returned here to deliver for Australians. And that's what we have been focused on all year.

TASMANIAN MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS, BRIDGET ARCHER: Welcome everybody here to Piyura Kitina in Nipaluna, Hobart. It's a very historic occasion for Tasmania hosting Joint Council on Closing the Gap here for the first time. I'd like to acknowledge that we are on Aboriginal land and pay my respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to any First Nations people that are with us today.

A new report shows Australia is on track to become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.

The report from the Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control confirms rates of cervical cancer among Australian women continue to fall.

KATIE WOOLF, HOST: Joining me live on the line is the Senator for the Northern Territory but also the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Malarndirri McCarthy. Good morning to you.

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning, Katie. And good morning to your listeners coming to you from down in the Barkly.

Can I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and the Native Title holders for this area and just thank you for your warm welcome here today.

It is a really, really special day.

There are many things that we are going to keep talking about in regards to today, there’s probably two aspects I just want to focus on first up.

The Albanese Labor Government is proud to celebrate with Barkly communities to mark the signing of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for a major solar and battery precinct in the Northern Territory.

The Agreement between Native Title Holders, the Northern Land Council and AAPowerLink Australia Assets Pty Ltd (SunCable) is expected to provide employment, training and business opportunities for Native Title Holders, their families and First Nations people in the community. 

More than 900 new Indigenous Ranger jobs will be created across the country, as the Albanese Labor Government delivers on its commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by the end of the decade.

201 applications were received for Round Two of the Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) Expansion, highlighting the strong interest from communities and organisations.

82 new ranger projects will receive funding and 58 new organisations will join the Commonwealth IRP, as the government invests over $190 million across three years (2025 – 2028).

The Australian Government will support a record number of events this Australia Day, building on the continued success of the Australia Day Grants Program.

The Albanese Government’s $10 million in funding will support a record 869 capital city and community events, the highest since the program began in 2021.

Events funded by this program include a community barbeque and cricket game on Christmas Island. A citizenship ceremony at Bondi Beach. A First Nations community art project in Mandurah and a community concert in Cairns.