NAT TENCIC, HOST: In 2023, the Australian Government committed $23.5 million to improving health outcomes for Central Australian Aboriginal communities, including 5 million for a health hub operated by Congress. That facility has officially opened today and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy was there. She joins me now to speak on this and a number of other issues. Senator, good afternoon.
JOURNALIST: Now, this news of missing Sharon has shocked the nation. Can you tell me your reaction to this news?
A landmark agreement under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap has been reached to strengthen services and support for Aboriginal children and families in the East Kimberley.
Signed by all levels of government and Aboriginal leaders, the East Kimberley Little Footprints Big Futures Partnership will drive improved outcomes for children and families in the early years.
CHARLIE MCKILLOP, HOST: Assistant Prime Minister Patrick Gorman is in the Far North to gauge the mood in the room. Assistant Prime Minister, good morning and welcome.
PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Charlie, good morning and good morning to all of your listeners.
MCKILLOP: Firstly, what's it like to constantly be playing second fiddle to the PM?
Every older Australian deserves access to safe, high-quality aged care, close to the ones they love and the places they call home.
Today, the Albanese Labor Government is releasing a new resource to help aged care providers design homes that are culturally safe, respectful and supportive for First Nations Australians.
Thank you so much for that warm welcome, and I too begin by acknowledging that we're meeting on the lands of the Wurundjeri of the Kulin nation and pay my respects to elders past and present. I also acknowledge the strength and leadership of First Nations women, the matriarchs of our country, who are and have always been the keepers of knowledge and tradition, healers, leaders in their communities, and constant advocates for equality.
The Albanese and Finocchiaro Governments are strengthening critical service delivery for remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory, with eight new funding agreements now signed as part of the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment (NTRAI).
The funding agreements feature some of the strongest ever transparency mechanisms to lift accountability and ensure remote communities directly benefit from the landmark partnership between the two governments and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT).
Subjects: Fuel and food security in remote First Nations communities, First Nations microgrid projects.
ALLAN NEILSON: Minister McCarthy, thanks for joining us and our listeners. How are you?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I'm very well, thanks, Allan and a big hello to all your listeners.
ALLAN NEILSON: Look, can you give our listeners a quick picture of what fuel, energy and food security looks like right now in our remote First Nations communities?
Subjects: First Nations microgrid announcement, First Nations wellbeing, NDIS
CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY, DARWIN
Thursday 23 April 2026
Yo, bajinda yamalu yinda, ngarna Yanyuwa.
I acknowledge the Larrakia people on whose land we all come together on, and as Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Marra and Gudanji peoples and Ltyente Apurte mob, Eastern Arrernte peoples, to acknowledge that we are all coming together here and acknowledge all of you here today.
This is an incredibly important moment here in the Northern Territory.