JO LAVERTY, HOST: Later today we'll be able to read the official cases for and against the constitutional referendum on the Voice. The Australian Electoral Commission will distribute 12 million pamphlets across the nation with a 2,000 word essay for each case. Malarndirri McCarthy is the Federal Labor Senator for the Northern Territory. Good morning, Senator. Can you tell us what we can expect to see in the pamphlet? 

LISA MILLAR, HOST: Let's get more on our top story. The first glimpse of the official yes and no campaign pitches is expected later today when the cases are posted online by the Australian Electoral Commission. Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy joins us now from Darwin. Senator, Good morning. How significant is this day? 

SARAH ABO, HOST: The official battle lines are being drawn on the voice to parliament. Both sides unveiling their official campaign messages today. Joining us to discuss is Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy in Darwin... Thank you for your time this morning. Malarndirri. There are fears the Yes campaign will overreach its intended powers. Will the release of your new messaging ease those fears for some in the community? 

SARAH ABO, HOST: Jim Chalmers says the Government's bumper surplus shows we don't need to choose between responsible economic management and compassion in what some see as a hint towards further cost of living relief. We sure know we need it. A $20 billion surplus coming. Can we expect relief will follow? 

Greeting in Language

As a First Nations woman from the Northern Territory and Australia, I extend my respect and acknowledgement of the Lenape people whose traditional lands we come together on. As leaders, we have the ability to expand the futures and opportunities of women and girls all over the world and share our experiences to progress gender equality and expand human rights in the digital sphere.

The Assistant Minister for the Public Service, the Hon Patrick Gorman MP, will launch the State of the Service Roadshow in Perth today. 

More than 350 Australian public servants will gather for the first face-to-face Roadshow in Perth since 2019.

Building on the recent State of the Service Report, the Roadshow is a free event series for Australian public servants. 

The Report features stories of Australian Public Service (APS) teams delivering support and services to the Australian people and their communities all over the country.

I'd like to begin by acknowledging the traditional lands of the Lenape people. I'm a Yanyuwa Garrawa woman from Borroloola, a small town in the Northern Territory of Australia. And I come here as Senator for the Northern Territory and as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health.

The Albanese Government is expanding the highly successful Junior Ranger program, offering on-Country learning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Australia.

The $50 million funding boost means thousands of First Nations primary and secondary students will now be able to access the Junior Rangers program at 50 new sites.

The program is designed to boost school attendance and engagement, while providing students with practical skills in land and water management, presenting opportunities to pursue future careers as Indigenous Rangers.

It’s Chinese New Year this weekend, and the year of the Dragon, symbolising new beginnings, luck, happiness and prosperity.

But in an unfortunate and unexpected end to 2023 which continued through January, my family spent many days at the bedside of my 25-year-old son who survived a heart attack. He’s on track to recovery thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses who cared for him. 

I’m ever conscious it’s a tough time for a lot of people across Australia, for many reasons. 

‘Our Voice, Our Future: Reclaiming our Rightful Place after the Referendum’

Good morning. If I could firstly just acknowledge the Larrakia people on whose land we gather and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. Thank you all for your invitation to have been here to speak…