TOM CONNELL, HOST: Well, the Prime Minister has attended a $100,000 fundraising dinner with campaign donors despite his government's criticism of the Opposition Leader for doing the same. According to The Nightly, Anthony Albanese, last night, attended a $10,000 a head dinner at the upscale Aria restaurant, it overlooks the Sydney Opera House. He was reportedly one of ten guests at the dinner. The Prime Minister's staff had rescheduled the fundraiser to Sunday evening from its original date two weeks ago, that was due to Cyclone Alfred.

GEORGIA STYNES, HOST: Now, across the ACT and in the Northern Territory today, Australian flags were flying at half mast. So, how much do you actually know about which occasions are marked in this way? Joining us to have a chat about this is Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister for the Prime Minister and our guest on Drive. Good afternoon.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, Georgia. And good afternoon to your listeners, whether or not they be fans of knowing intricate detail about flag protocol or not.

Today’s event is about the audience, all of you. Today, we are joining from around Australia.

From some 583 public service worksites across this country – and even some who serve our country overseas. Every day you bring dedication, commitment and service to the Australian Public Service.

To you, I say a heartfelt thank you. You are there when people need you most. This is what builds Australians trust in their public service.

Together, you have cut wait times, improved support for vulnerable Australians, and delivered better services in your communities.

ALICIA PAYNE MP, MEMBER FOR CANBERRA: Good morning, everyone. I'm Alicia Payne, the member for Canberra, and I'm here this morning with Minister Katy Gallagher and with Sarah McDougall and her children, Eloise and Ryder, who have welcomed us into their home this morning to talk about how important it is to have flexibility and working from home rights for workers. As we know, Peter Dutton wants to take this away from public servants.

NADIA MITSOPOULOS, HOST: Well, the annual GST distribution has been released by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That happened this morning. It always brings with it some argument between the states about what is fair and what is not. Now you will remember WA's share of the GST is protected by a deal done in 2018 which ensures that we now get at least 75 cents in the dollar, and if any other state is worth worse off as a result, they will get a top-up from the Federal Government. But what we're wondering is how sustainable that will actually be in the long term.

SELINA WALKER, CHAIR, YERRABI YURWANG: Yuma. Dhawura nguna, dhawura Ngunnawal. Hello, my name is Selina Walker and this is Ngunnawal Country. Thank you for coming. And just want to acknowledge my elders, my Ngunnawal elders, and pay respect to my elders past, present, future. Make mention of my grandmother, Auntie Agnes Shea, who was the most senior Ngunnawal elder here, who passed two years ago. And in the spirit of Reconciliation, welcome to Country. So Ngunna yerrabi yanggu, which means you may leave footprints on our land, or in other words, welcome to Country.

Communities across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait are set to benefit from the Albanese Government’s Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) First Nations program.

Minister Andrew Giles recently announced the successful recipients during a visit to Thursday Island.

Gur A Baradharaw Kod (GBK) Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation branches on Thursday Island, Saibai Island, Mer Island, Poruma Island and Badu Island have received grants under SEE First Nations.

The Albanese Government is further delivering our commitment to increase the number of women working in critical industries, today announcing the second wave of projects funded through the Building Women’s Careers Program.

Under the second tranche of the Program, 10 community-led, place-based projects will share $9.5 million in funding.

The projects are spread across all Australian states and territories, improving women’s access to flexible, safe and inclusive training and work opportunities.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their elders past and present.

I extend that respect to all First Nations people joining us today.

I want to acknowledge the strength and leadership of First Nations women in Australia – who are so often leaders in their communities, holders of knowledge and strong advocates for equality.

I’d also like to thank the Future Women team for the incredible work they put into making events like this possible.

The dedication of the Central Western Desert Indigenous Protected Area has this week been marked – meaning better land management and jobs for locals. 

The newly dedicated Indigenous Protected Area will connect three existing IPAs, as well as link with a larger network of IPAs in both Western Australia and South Australia. 

It covers nearly 4 million hectares of land across the Great Sandy Desert, Central Ranges, MacDonnell Ranges and the Interim Burt Plain Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia bioregions.