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. 

FAUZIAH IBRAHIM, HOST: Joining us now is Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us this morning, Minister.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR WOMEN: Thanks for having me on.

ANDREW CLENNELL, HOST: Joining me live from Perth in the studio is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. Thanks so much for joining me at this early hour in Perth.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Andrew.

CLENNELL: Look, a sombre day in a way. Let's start with this ADF accident. What's your latest information on it? We're soon to hear from the PM, I don't know what you can tell us. Has anyone passed away? How serious are the injuries?

This International Women’s Day, the third annual Status of Women Report Card shows Australia is making strides to achieve gender equality, including economic equality for women and girls.

Policies introduced this term are contributing to progress, including narrowing the gender pay gap and lifting wages for aged care workers and early childhood educators.

This International Women’s Day, the third annual Status of Women Report Card shows Australia is making strides to achieve gender equality, including economic equality for women and girls.

Policies introduced this term are contributing to progress, including narrowing the gender pay gap and lifting wages for aged care workers and early childhood educators.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering $11 million in grants to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language education in primary schools as part of its commitment to Closing the Gap.

More than 40 communities across Australia will benefit from 26 projects under the First Nations Languages Education Program through community-driven collaborations to teach local languages.

The initiative recognises that each community will have different aspirations and needs for teaching and sustaining First Nations languages.