Topics: Community media, Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, First Nations tourism, Connected Beginnings site for First Nations children in Kununurra, Closing the Gap.

SCOTTY DAY, HOST: The reason that we’ve hung around a little bit is to say a very good morning and welcome back to Kununurra for the Senator, the Honourable Malarndirri McCarthy, a very good morning to you, Senator. How are you?

The Albanese Government has expanded the successful Connected Beginnings program to 50 communities across Australia, helping more First Nations children thrive in the crucial early years.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly and Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy today announced $2.4 million for Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation Limited to deliver the Connected Beginnings program in Kununurra, Western Australia.

AGNES TUPOU, HOST: Like the US, Palau is having its presidential inauguration. Today on the guest list, Papua, New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. Representing Australia is Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, who joins us the on the program from Palau. Good morning, Minister.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good morning Agnes and good morning to your listeners.

It’s an honour to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve as the Minister for Government Services.

I want to pay tribute to Minister Shorten, who has worked tirelessly in this portfolio since May 2022 and who has made a real and tangible positive difference in the lives of millions of Australians.

I particularly pay tribute to his role in uncovering and publicly prosecuting the Morrison Government’s Robodebt scandal and also ensuring that Services Australia has the resources and capability to provide the best service possible to the Australian people.

ANNE URQUHART, SENATOR FOR TASMANIA: Well, thanks very much everyone for being here. I'm Anne Urquhart, Labor Senator for Tasmania, based right here in Devonport. It's really exciting today to have the Prime Minister in town and also Katy Gallagher. And I'm here with the Mayor, and I'm here with representatives from Rural Health too, who will be part of this wonderful announcement that we've got.

Families and businesses need high speed internet at an affordable price, and the Albanese Government will deliver that as we build Australia’s future.

The Albanese Government will fund the upgrade of Australia’s remaining national fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network through an equity injection of up to $3 billion, with NBN Co contributing more than $800 million to the project.

The Government will deliver this significant milestone while guaranteeing NBN Co will remain in public ownership.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This election there will be a very clear choice, between Labor providing assistance on cost of living and building Australia's future and a Coalition Government or Coalition Opposition led by Peter Dutton seeking government, so they can take Australia backwards, so they can have Australians to pay more. Families and businesses deserve high speed internet at an affordable price. Labor created the National Broadband Network and only Labor will finish the NBN and importantly keep the NBN in public hands.

STEVEN WHITE, HOST: Well, guess what, it’s an election year for Australians this year. Just in case you didn’t know. And the path to the voting booths is starting to heat up already, and it’s happening this morning right here in Northern Tasmania, the Prime Minister is visiting the North today and the Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher, is here with me now to answer any questions you have and to talk about some of the announcements they have coming up. Good morning and welcome to the program.

PATTY, HOST: Joining us on the show is Senator Katy Gallagher, the Minister for Finance, Women and Public Service. Thanks for joining us on the show today, Katy.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: It’s great to be here, thanks for having me.

PATTY: So, what brings you to the Northwest coast of Tasmania?

Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman will today travel to the Republic of Palau to represent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Presidential Inauguration of His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr.

President Whipps’ inauguration on 16 January 2025 marks the commencement of the 12th Constitutional Government of the Republic of Palau. President Whipps will be inaugurated as President for a second term.