A second round of grants is now open for eligible employers to apply for funding to create local jobs in remote communities, as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s new Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program.

Jobs established through the Remote Jobs program will have fair pay and decent conditions, including superannuation, sick leave and annual leave.

In response to community feedback calling for a flexible jobs program, the jobs created can be part-time, full-time or casual and flexible around personal, family and community obligations.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: All this talk of the political year starting early, it doesn't really start until you see the Monday panel of choice. Joining me for their first hit out of 2025, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, and former Liberal MP, Jason Falinski. Thank you both for your time. Just going to start, I'm going to play nice for a question for each of you, just to get you in the mood. Because, you know, I'm always cantankerous at the end of the year.

Subjects: Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, Northern Territory prisons, Welcome to Country. 

ADAM STEER, HOST: As I said, the battleground is definitely heating up for the federal election. Some big moves being made in recent days with the federal Opposition pledging to cut 36,000 public service jobs. And over the last day, both major parties now focusing on Work for the Dole schemes in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. 

Subjects: Alice Springs, Northern Territory prisons, Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program.

STEWART BRASH, HOST: Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy joins us. Good morning.

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning, Stewart. And good morning to your listeners.

GARY ADSHEAD, HOST: And it is just about 20 minutes to five right here on ABC Drive. And I've got in the studio with me a couple of guys that are probably glad to get out of the heat when it comes to doorknocking. Dean Smith, the WA Liberal Senator, thanks for coming in. 

DEAN SMITH, LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Great to be back, Gary. 

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting young people and developing future leaders in Alice Springs and remote communities in Central Australia with a $34.1 million investment.

Following independent advice from the Central Australia Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group and the broader Central Australian community, $24.1 million will be invested in youth services, promoting the safety and wellbeing of First Nations youth, their families and communities.

Subjects: Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, summer school holiday program, the age of criminal responsibility, First Nations Children's Commissioner, youth programs.

FLOYD DOYLE, HOST: We have a special guest in our studio here, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who's come all the way up from Canberra or wherever you've been, and how have you been, Senator? Tell us where you've been.

The Albanese Government is fighting illegal foreign fishing operations in the Northern Territory, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke today officially launching Operation LUNAR in Darwin.

The new taskforce involves enhanced offshore capabilities in the air, on water and along the coastline to detect and respond to the threat of illegal foreign fishing.

Following the success of Operation Leedstrum in the Kimberley, some illegal fishers have ventured further east into the Northern Territory. They are now discovering that this pathway is also blocked.

CAMERON REDDIN, HOST: Patrick Gorman, thanks so much for your time. This is a tremendous day. It's a big weekend. But I think one of the real beauties of today, but also tomorrow, is that we get to shine a bit of a spotlight on the Australians that don't always get this kind of recognition. A lot of ordinary Aussies who have gone about their patch in life and have achieved some degree of excellence. This is a real opportunity to acknowledge that, isn't it? 

GARY ADSHEAD, HOST: All right now, then without further ado, let's get down to it. It's the campaign of course, we're all watching with interest as the federal politicians go out there and make us promises that they don't want us to refuse. But of course, there's lots of debates that go on when these election promises come up, but there's also side issues. The government of the day still has to deal with things, and of course, the Coalition have to continue to hold them to account. So let's get into some of the issues.