The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is pleased to announce the First Nations Director Scholarship Program is now open for applications.

This exciting new national initiative is aimed at developing a pipeline of Indigenous directors with the skills and capability to take up board appointments in First Nations and non-First Nations organisations across the country.

The $1-million program is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and will see 135 governance scholarships delivered over three years from 2024.

OLIVER PETERSON, HOST: The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the Member for Perth is Patrick Gorman, who joins me live on 6PR today. G'day, Patrick.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: G'day, Oly. Good to be with you and your listeners.

PETERSON: Yeah, good to have you on the programme. Any information you've got about this fire currently burning in Kings Park? It is obviously part of your electorate.

The Albanese Government is continuing to support former members of the collapsed Youpla Group.

The Youpla Group Funeral Benefits Program has been extended and will now accept applications until 30 June 2024.

The Program, which was announced as an interim measure in the weeks after the election of the Albanese Government, pays a grant in place of a funeral benefit that would otherwise have been paid by the Youpla Group before its collapse.

KIERAN GILBERT, HOST Joining me now from Perth is the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. Thanks so much for your time. There's been a lot of reaction to the Government's response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, criticism of the Prime Minister's handling of it, to the extent that there have been different views expressed, including by Ed Husic and Anne Aly. Does that open the Government to accusations of division over this crucial issue right now, Patrick Gorman?

The Albanese Government has today released new instructions for the Australian Public Service to limit the use of contractors and consultants.

The APS Strategic Commissioning Framework, published by the Australian Public Service Commission, requires core government work to be done by APS employees and restricts outsourcing to defined circumstances.

Core functions such as drafting Cabinet submissions, drafting regulation, leading policy development, or occupying a role on an agency’s executive, must never be outsourced.

The Albanese Government has today released new instructions for the Australian Public Service to limit the use of contractors and consultants.

The APS Strategic Commissioning Framework, published by the Australian Public Service Commission, requires core government work to be done by APS employees and restricts outsourcing to defined circumstances.

Core functions such as drafting Cabinet submissions, drafting regulation, leading policy development, or occupying a role on an agency’s executive, must never be outsourced.

A recently awarded remote housing contract supplements a pipeline of works across Central Australia worth $256 million.

The building blitz is rolling out across 33 communities and town camps in Alice Springs.

The most recent contract for $30 million was awarded to Pedersen NT to build more than 20 new homes across Luritja Pintubi country.

Works, which also include the upgrade and refurbishment of 18 homes, will transform the housing landscape in Kintore, Mount Liebig, Papunya, and Haasts Bluff.

ALI MOORE, HOST: How do we get to economic equality for women? That has been the question for a government taskforce. In fact, I would say for many taskforces over recent decades, but that particular taskforce I'm referring to has just released a 10-year plan aimed at reducing the gap. Katy Gallagher is the Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service. Katy Gallagher, welcome to Drive.

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

TOM CONNELL, HOST: Welcome back. The Prime Minister about to touch down any minute in the US for a four-day state visit. He's meeting the President, Joe Biden, there. As part of the visit, he'll also lobby Congress to pass the President's bill. It does, amongst other things, promise billions of dollars for the AUKUS submarine programme. It also pledges aid, military aid for Israel and Ukraine. Let's talk now to my panel; Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman and NSW Liberal Party President Jason Falinski. Thanks both for your time.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR WOMEN: Well, thanks, everyone for coming this morning for the release of this important report. I'm joined by the chair of the taskforce, the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce, Sam Mostyn, who has been an incredible chair leading this work, since the Government and I asked her to lead the work.