The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to support on-Country learning for First Nations primary and secondary students with a $6 million investment in more projects under the Junior Rangers program.

The funding will help build on the program’s success in boosting school engagement and retention for First Nations students, providing practical skills in land and water management, and supporting pathways for young people to pursue future careers as Indigenous rangers.

The Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments have transferred the remaining parcels of land in the Kenbi Land Claim into First Nations hands, marking the end of a process that began in 1979. 

The Albanese Government welcomes this historic resolution to one of Australia’s longest running land claims.

The Albanese Labor Government has welcomed the repatriation of five First Nations ancestors returned from two German collecting institutions.

A cultural ceremony was hosted at the Ethnological Museum in Berlin to acknowledge the return of the ancestors.

The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation returned three ancestors, including two Ugaram Le Omasker ancestors with provenance to Ugar Island in the Torres Strait and the State Museum for Nature and People, Oldenburg returned two ancestors.

KIRSTEN AIKEN, HOST: The Minderoo Foundation, founded by Nicola and Andrew Forrest, is committing $100 million to Australia’s first all-women investment trust. Future Generation Women will see leading female portfolio managers make investment decisions aimed at driving stronger gender equity practices in the community but also in the finance sector. I spoke to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher. [CUTS TO PRE-RECORD] Welcome to The Business.

Acknowledgements

Thank you, Selina, for the welcome to country and also for sharing with us a path out of the Referendum and reminding us of the importance of the continued walk towards Reconciliation in this country. And I would also like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the Traditional Owners on the land that we gather this morning, and I thank them for their ongoing custodianship, their care of this beautiful country that we call home. And I also acknowledge Aunty Agnes Shea, Selina’s grandmother, who we all miss and grieve deeply.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: I’ve given a long speech. I’m happy to just go to questions.

JOURNALIST: Minister, some people will look at your message today as you running a scare campaign about the Coalition cutting jobs. How do you respond to that?

ROSS SOLLY, HOST: Let’s chat now to Senator Katy Gallagher, who will be delivering the State of the Public Service address this morning at the National Press Club. Senator Gallagher, good morning to you.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: Good morning, Ross.

SOLLY: God, listeners are unkind sometimes, aren’t they?

GALLAGHER: You’ve got to have a thick skin, you’ve got to have a thick skin.

SOLLY: Yes, you do.

NADIA MITSOPOULOS, HOST: I do want to get to your calls, but first I want to go to Patrick Gorman, who's the Federal Member for Perth and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. Patrick, thanks for your time. Good morning. 

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

MITSOPOULOS: What did you think when you heard what CBA had done here? 

Introduction

Thank you for inviting me today.

It is a real privilege to celebrate your success in the Australian Public Service Indo-Pacific Executive Development Program.

Navigating and stewarding Australia’s future and place in our region. 

Our connection with the Indo-Pacific is not just geographical.

It is steeped in history, and for many, deeply personal.

Let me take you back around 65,000 years into our shared past.

Long before modern maps or borders.

Long before Europeans set foot in Australia.

Good morning. I start by acknowledging the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation as the traditional owners of the land we’re gathered on today.

I’d also like to thank Caroline Martin for your Welcome to Country this morning.

Can I also recognise: