A new $10.5 million culture and arts centre in Gapuwiyak in North East Arnhem Land officially opens its doors to First Nations artists, community and visitors today.

The Albanese Labor Government has invested $8.5 million and the Northern Territory Government $2 million for the centre, which will be a space for artists to create, exhibit and sell their works, as well as a place for the community to come together.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, I’m Patrick Gorman, the Federal Member for Perth, and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, and it is delightful to be here at the Resources Technology Showcase here at the Perth Convention Centre with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Resources Minister. And over the course of today, some 20,000 people are going to come through seeing the incredible opportunities and jobs, not just of now, but of the future.

The Albanese Labor Government recognises 50 years since the Gurindji land handback, a turning point in the struggle for Aboriginal land rights.

On 16 August 1975, Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam poured soil into Vincent Lingiari’s hands, during an official handover ceremony which formally granted the Gurindji people a lease to a parcel of land at Wave Hill cattle station.

It would become an iconic image of land rights and a defining moment in Australian history.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Minister for Employment and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. Zoe McKenzie is the Shadow Early Learning and Assistant Education Minister. Welcome to both of you. 

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Thank you. 

ZOE MCKENZIE, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FLINDERS: Thank you. 

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released today reveals Australia’s gender pay gap is at the lowest ever level since records began, at 11.5 per cent.

This means Australian women working full-time now earning, on average, more than $250 a week more since the Albanese Government was elected in May 2022.

Encouragingly, the data shows that women’s workforce participation has also hit a record high, growing to 63.5 per cent, with more women are working more hours.

The Australia Day 2026 Community Events Grant Program is now open. Local councils, government entities and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for a federal government grant of between $2,000 and $10,000 to deliver inclusive and accessible community events.

Like previous years, additional support is available for events that include significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements.

The Australian Government has provided financial support for over 3,000 Australia Day events around the country since 2021.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Joining me, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, and former Liberal MP, Jason Falinski, for our regular hit out. Patrick. So, we heard a lot from Labor in the lead up to this potential decision, no role for Hamas in the future of Palestine. But this condition - they won't play a role in the future - recognition can still come, while Hamas is in power. Am I reading that correctly?

The Albanese Labor Government is at the halfway mark of delivering on its commitment to create 3,000 new jobs in remote communities through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program.

Over 1,450 new jobs have been funded through the first two grant rounds of RJED, providing the dignity of work with fair wages and conditions in remote communities across the country.

Under the second grant round, around 800 jobs are being created in around 160 projects across 150 employers.

If you’ve tried to build a house, find an electrician, or get aged care services for a loved one recently, it won’t come as a shock to you that Australia is facing a worker shortage across a number of key industries.

From construction to the care economy, teaching to truck driving, employers can’t find the workers they need, causing frustrating wait times and higher prices for services Australians rely on.

Improved wellbeing, education and community connections are at the centre of a growing number of initiatives making a real difference to community safety in Port Augusta and Davenport on South Australia’s Spencer Gulf.

The Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments are investing $12 million over three years to improve social outcomes in the region, particularly for young people.

This funding is being delivered through a strong community partnership, the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Alliance.