OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: I want to go to Canberra now. The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, joins us from probably colder conditions. Good afternoon.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, Oly, I know you didn't want a weather report from me, but it's actually quite pleasant here in Canberra.

PETERSON: That'd be the first time, wouldn't it Patrick?

GORMAN: But it's not quite as warm as it is there.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: The two major parties aren't agreeing on a lot at the moment, but electoral reforms are another matter. They're set to pass laws that won't come into effect until 2028. But Independents, Greens and others are saying it's all just an attempt to block them out from entering or growing their size in the Parliament. Joining the panel now is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, who usually comes with a prop. Now you could have come with the big fat book of legislation, which would have led me to this question.

Introduction

Today the Government introduces the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024.

It proposes the largest reform to Australia’s electoral laws in over 40 years.

Delivering on our commitment to strengthen and enhance the integrity of federal elections through improved transparency and accountability.

The Bill implements recommendations of the multipartisan Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM).

Those recommendations and this Bill seek to remove the influence of big money in politics.

Today’s release of the 2023-24 Survey of Trust in Australian public services shows continued strength of public confidence in government services across the country.

The Survey released by the Albanese Government shows 58 per cent of Australians have confidence in these services.

This marks the third consecutive year of stable trust levels.

The key findings of the report include:

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: It's the final two sitting weeks of 2024. An opportunity to make sure that we do the work the Australian people expect of us. And as we get close to Christmas, we know that Santa's elves are working hard, but we need the Senate to work even harder. To work even harder to deliver the things that will make a real difference on cost of living for the Australian people. A real difference when it comes to action to reduce HECS indexation so people can keep more of what they earn.

Topics: Closing the Gap targets, National Agreement on Closing the Gap. 

The Albanese Labor Government has placed Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory on the National Heritage List in recognition of the site’s outstanding heritage value to Australia.

Watarrka is in the traditional lands of Anangu ngurraritja (Traditional Owners), who hold a deep connection to country and have cared for the Tjukurrpa (the Dreaming) for tens of thousands of years.

Subjects: Kidney disease, food security in remote communities.

Subjects: Croker Island, food security for remote communities and the incarceration of First Nations people in the Northern Territory.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: The Minister for Indigenous Australians has made a reasonably significant announcement today in an ongoing effort to improve transport and storage of food into remote communities. We spoke to Malarndirri McCarthy about this and more when she joined us from Darwin.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $9.6 million to improve food security for First Nations people in remote communities.

The government has worked with state and territory governments to identify the remote community stores most in need of immediate support ahead of the upcoming emergency season, with projects to be tailored to local need.

The Store Efficiency and Resilience Package will support upgrades for more than 15 remote stores to ensure a reliable supply of nutritious food and essential groceries.