The Northern Territory historical wages class action (Minnie McDonald v Commonwealth of Australia) has moved closer to resolution, with the parties reaching a settlement for up to $202 million.

The class action was brought by Minnie McDonald on behalf of thousands of First Nations people who lived and worked in the Northern Territory between 1933 and 1971.

During that time, Commonwealth laws allowed First Nations people in the Northern Territory to be paid much less than non-Indigenous people for the same work.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Anthony Albanese has wrapped up what for him was a four day visit to Western Australia today. Cabinet Ministers started leaving yesterday, among them Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy. We caught up with her from Darwin.

The Albanese Government has today released a landmark report demonstrating the success of First Nations trade and tourism businesses on the global stage.

The first of its kind, the First Nations Businesses Succeeding Internationally Report highlights the significant contribution that First Nations exporters, importers and tourism businesses make to the community, creating jobs and driving our nation’s growth.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing an additional $45 million to extend funding for scholarship programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

This investment will enable nine existing scholarship providers to continue delivering their successful programs which currently support over 2,200 high school students, the majority from remote and regional areas where access to secondary schooling is limited.

The scholarships provide critical support to First Nations students and their families by removing financial barriers to quality education.

Australian National Flag Day is celebrated annually on 3 September, and is an important time to commemorate a key symbol of our shared Australian identity and history.

Our National Flag was first flown at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne on 3 September 1901, and was chosen through an international design competition. Entries were submitted from nearly 1 per cent of the population at that time.

I encourage all Australians to join in celebration of our most prominent national symbol with pride.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Let's go now to the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, for his take on all of this. He loves commenting on polls, Patrick, good to have your company today. We've seen this through a lot of polls.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here Tom.

CONNELL: Why do you think the Prime Minister right now is not all that popular with voters?

Every year on September 1, Australians around the country celebrate National Wattle Day. Commemorating Australia’s national floral emblem, Acacia pycnantha (golden wattle).

Marked by the first day of spring, National Wattle Day is a unifying celebration of the diversity and resilience of the Australian community.

There are over one thousand species of the wattle, and they are uniquely suited to withstand Australia’s droughts and winds, and to rejuvenate quickly after bushfires. 

Hello everyone, it’s Malarndirri McCarthy here – coming to you from the lands of the Larrakia people.

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country where you are tonight the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples - and pay my respect to Elders past and present.

I’m sorry I can’t be there to join you in celebrating your achievements.

I’d like to congratulate each of the award nominees and winners.

And all First Nations business owners in attendance, for creating a legacy for future generations.

For being leaders, role models, and mentors.

Connecting Australians to one another

For 123 years the Commonwealth has had the role of connecting Australians to one another. When Australia Federated, Canberra was bush. Today it is still our Bush Capital. Here in WA, the enthusiasm in Coolgardie for Federation outpaced even Perth CBD.

On 1 January 1901 the largest Commonwealth department was the Postmaster General. 89 per cent of all public servants worked there, and in the years that followed we went so much further.

I have received a copy of the independent review into the progress of the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) in addressing the recommendations of a governance audit undertaken by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

The review was commissioned earlier this year by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

The review shows that the ALC’s governance, operations and decision-making remain deficient.