Radio interview - ABC Perth Drive

OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: And in the red corner, the Labor MP for Perth, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and of the Public Service, Patrick Gorman. Good afternoon.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, Oly. And good afternoon to your listeners.

PETERSON: And in the blue corner, the Liberal MP for Forrest. Ben Small. Good afternoon. 

BEN SMALL, SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE: G'day Oly, how are you? 

Building energy security for Remote Communities with First Nations-led microgrids

Two remote Northern Territory communities are set to benefit from cleaner, more reliable power, with the Albanese Government backing First Nations-led microgrid projects with $11 million in funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The projects at Borroloola and Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) will support local communities to design, develop and lead their own energy solutions, improving power reliability, affordability and energy security in areas where the electricity grid does not reach or is currently unreliable.

Launch of Big Sister: Advanced Mentoring WA Project

Acknowledgements omitted

It is my pleasure to join you for the launch of the Big Sister: Advanced Mentoring WA Project.

Big Sister is led by women, for women. 

It delivers what our economy needs. 

More completions by women apprentices. 

The Commonwealth is proud to back this initiative all the way. 

Yvonne Ward

1978 was a big year in Western Australia.

We opened Australia’s first Timezone arcade in Perth.

Commercial whaling ended in Albany.

And Cyclone Alby all but ended the Busselton Jetty.

Appointment of new CEO of Workplace Gender Equality Agency

Christine Castley has been appointed by the Governor-General as the CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

Ms Castley will lead the agency to drive gender equality in workplaces to ensure all people are fairly represented, and equally valued and rewarded.

Ms Castley previously led Multicultural Australia as CEO from 2020 to 2025 and has extensive senior executive experience within the Queensland public service including as Deputy Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Department of Housing and Public Works. 

Supporting fuel, energy and food security in Remote First Nations Communities

The Albanese Labor Government is working with the Coalition of Peaks and other First Nations groups to support fuel, energy and food security in remote First Nations communities.

Under the Joint Council on Closing the Gap, a Working Group on Fuel, Energy and Food Security in Remote Communities has been established, bringing together representatives from First Nations peak bodies, industry and service providers.

Clause 64 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap says:

Backing First Nations art

Eighty-five activities delivered by First Nations art centres, fairs, regional hubs and industry service organisations across Australia will receive funding from the Albanese Labor Government. 

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program supports a professional, viable and ethical First Nations arts industry to enable artists and arts workers to earn income, develop professional skills and connect to the art market. 

Grant recipients include:

Radio Interview - ABC Darwin

Subjects: Trish Crossin.

ADAM STEER, HOST: Welcome to the program Senator. That must have been a bit of a shock to be greeted with that news last night or this morning.

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Last night wasn't too good Adam, that's for sure. I know that Trish's family, in particular, found it enormously difficult and still are. But so are her friends and her close friends here in the Northern Territory and across Australia. We're pretty devastated, really, to be honest. 

ABC Afternoon Briefing

ATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: I want to bring in my political panel for today. Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Minister for Employment. Garth Hamilton is the shadow of Assistant Minister for energy security. Welcome to both of you.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for having us on.