Australia mourns the passing of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue and it is with great sadness and love that I pay tribute to her remarkable legacy.

The Yankunytjatjara woman was a fearless and passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Throughout her career in public life, Dr O’Donoghue displayed enormous courage, dignity and grace.

She dedicated her life to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and deserves our deepest respect and gratitude.

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Well, last week we had Labor's big move on tax changes. Today we had the Coalition indicate at least part of its response. Joining me live now for the first time this year, the two of them that is, the Assistant Minister for the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, and NSW Liberal Party President Jason Falinski. Gentlemen, thank you both for your time. Jason, I'm going to start with you because the movement's on your side. Peter Dutton said he won't take any tax cuts away that have already been delivered.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Northern Territory Government proudly announce the official opening of AIATSIS Central Australia in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

Coinciding with our 60-year Anniversary, AIATSIS for the first time extends our reach outside Canberra, working closely with local communities in the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing in nine local justice reinvestment initiatives as part of its landmark justice reinvestment programs. The projects announced today will be the first grants delivered under those programs, and are part of the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth.

As part of our $109 million First Nations justice package, the Albanese Government has committed $79 million to supporting up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives in First Nations communities across Australia.

The Albanese Labor Government is taking further action to reduce the rates of family violence and abuse against First Nations women and children.

A new First Nations National Plan Steering Committee announced today will provide advice on the development of the standalone First Nations National Plan to address Target 13of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020-2030.

The official opening of the $5 million Poruma Seawall Project has provided a boost for climate resilience in the Torres Strait community of Poruma (Coconut Island), in Far North Queensland.

The one-kilometre-long seawall is among completed works to mitigate coastal inundation and erosion on the picturesque, low-lying coral cay island community, north of Cairns.

Poruma is one of five island communities to benefit from a $40 million seawall package co-funded by the Albanese Labor Government and the Queensland Government.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE:  I'm Patrick Gorman, Federal Member for Perth, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. I'm joined with Anne Aly, the Member for Cowan, the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth, and workers here in Western Australia who will benefit from Labor's Tax Cut for Middle Australia.

Tax policy has always been a topic of discussion in my family.

While my mum and dad were working as teachers, it was my great-grandmother, Lucy, who looked after me as a child. Lucy had worked at the Australian Taxation Office for decades. She was working when women were systematically paid less than men, and the tax-free threshold was just 100 pounds.

She was a proud public servant who helped war widows like herself get the support they needed. Her final working years were at the new tax office building at 1 St Georges Terrace, now converted to the Duxton Hotel.

First Nations pre-schoolers in a small Victorian Aboriginal community will return from the summer holidays to a new and locally-designed outdoor kindergarten, offering cultural learning activities and adventures on-Country, thanks to a grant from the Albanese Government.

Lake Tyers or Bung Yarnda, is on the south coast of Victoria, on the lands of the Gunaikurnai people.

The Commonwealth’s $45,000 investment means 3-5 year old kindergarten kids will have a tailor-made outdoor learning and playground, offering;

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Happy Australia Day, Patrick Gorman. So many awardees; who inspired you the most?