The Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers responsible for Indigenous Affairs met via videoconference this week (Tuesday 9 September) to discuss key priorities and strategies to improve outcomes for First Nations people and communities.

In reaffirming their commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement), Ministers emphasised the importance of working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

BELINDA KING, PRESENTER: Women's health. It's often put in the too hard basket with women facing extra hurdles, higher costs and not always feeling heard. We have a new women's health package that aims to change all that and you've been passionate about this being rolled out. tell me, what sort of things are we talking about changing here?

First Nations young people in the remote communities of Mutitjulu and Yulara in the Northern Territory are benefiting from access to free mental health support through headspace’s cultural outreach service.

The service will receive an additional $504,385 through the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program for infrastructure upgrades. 

Today Assistant Minister McBride visited Mutitjulu and met with staff and young people who attend the headspace outreach service.  

Practical skills to create healthy homes in Central Australia

The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening families and communities in Central Australia through a new $4.9 million program to build home and life skills. 

The Safe and Healthy Homes Skills Development Program will deliver hands-on and practical support to build useful skills in areas like cooking, meal preparation, home maintenance and parenting.

Alice Springs residents will soon have access to free, walk-in mental health support and care with a new Medicare Mental Health Centre set to open.

The centre will offer mental health support and care for people in distress, without the need for an appointment, referral or mental health treatment plan.

Staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including mental health clinicians and peer workers, care is tailored to the needs of each person who visits the centre.

The Australian Public Service has reached a significant milestone, with 100 First Nations staff now in senior executive service (SES) roles – delivering on the APS’ commitment to better reflect the community it serves.

The SES100 initiative was established as part of the government’s APS reform agenda and seeks to encourage more First Nations staff to apply for senior positions.

Thousands of women in the Northern Territory are already saving hundreds of dollars and gaining better access to essential care, thanks to the Albanese Government’s Women’s Health Package.

New figures released last week during Women’s Health Week show the impact of recent changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and these benefits are set to be even greater next year with the rollout of our cheaper medicines plan, including $25 scripts for non-concession card holders.

Thousands of women in the Northern Territory are already saving hundreds of dollars and gaining better access to essential care, thanks to the Albanese Government’s Women’s Health Package.

New figures released last week during Women’s Health Week show the impact of recent changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and these benefits are set to be even greater next year with the rollout of our cheaper medicines plan, including $25 scripts for non-concession card holders.

Subject: Camp Sovereignty.

LEILA GURRUWIWI, HOST: We're going to speak now to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Senator, are you there?

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I am Leila. Hello.

LEILA GURRUWIWI: Hello! How are you?

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Happy birthday to Aiden.

OM CONNELL, HOST: Joining me now to talk about this  and a few issues today, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, just on the principle here, if there is some sort of delay or cancellation and it's not weather related, any other reason, should that be something that people get some form of compensation for?