The Australian Government is expanding the Connected Beginnings program to nine new communities, which will help 3,500 First Nations children be better prepared for school.

Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Hon Dr Anne Aly, announced the locations of the new Connected Beginnings projects while in Geraldton, Western Australia, today. They are:

TOM CONNELL, HOST: We have had a summer dominated by debate over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and a soft launch today for the No Campaign. So where are we at in terms of what the two major parties are going to do on this? Joining me for their first panel of 2023, Assistant Minister to the PM, Patrick Gorman, former Liberal MP Jason Falinski. Gentlemen, thanks both for your time and welcome back for 2023. Jason, we love that you're unbound by a Liberal Party sort of doctrine, not that you ever really were. What's your view on this?

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Last week's inflation rate of 7.8% might have made you uneasy, with the Reserve Bank likely to respond with another interest rate hike this week. Now, with that there are warnings more action from the central bank could tip Australia into a recession as other countries teeter on the edge of an economic downturn. It's a tricky position for the new Government hoping to fix Medicare and aged care and invest in defence. Katy Gallagher is the Finance Minister and the Women's Minister and she's our guest this morning.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Last week's inflation rate of 7.8% might have made you uneasy, with the Reserve Bank likely to respond with another interest rate hike this week. Now, with that there are warnings more action from the central bank could tip Australia into a recession as other countries teeter on the edge of an economic downturn. It's a tricky position for the new Government hoping to fix Medicare and aged care and invest in defence. Katy Gallagher is the Finance Minister and the Women's Minister and she's our guest this morning.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you Dan for that warm introduction.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land.

Their Elders, past, present and future, and their continuing connection to the land on which we meet today.

I pay respect to all First Nations people here with us.

And I restate our Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

Including a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament.

MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: Let's bring in the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney. Minister, very good morning to you.

LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning, Michael.

MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: What do you hope these new alcohol restrictions announced jointly with the NT Government will achieve?

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: The Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney she joins me now from Alice Springs. Minister, welcome back to breakfast.

LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning, Patricia.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Is this a mini intervention?

The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and local communities to take action in response to the urgent challenges facing Alice Springs.

The Northern Territory Government will introduce immediate temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as a circuit-breaker measure to improve community safety in Central Australia.

Introduction

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land.

Their Elders, past, present and future, and their continuing connection to the land on which we meet today.

I pay respect to all First Nations people here with us.

Thank you to the National Australia Day Council Board for what is a huge week.

A special thank you to our chair, Danni, who has been in the seat since 2017.

And to Stepan, Richard, Alison, Jane, Robert, Nikki, Bao and Denita.

KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Let's bring in the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. That's Patrick Gorman. Patrick, thanks for your time. What we heard in Matt Cunningham's report there and what we've seen in The Australian today and over recent days, the situation in Alice Springs is a crisis. There's no other way to describe it. And now Marion Scrymgour, your fellow Labor MP, the member for Lingiari, says that while she supports the Voice, we can't be having those discussions while this effectively, this humanitarian crisis unfolds in Alice Springs.