The Albanese Government has today announced a new recruitment strategy to boost representation of First Nations people at senior leadership levels across the Australian Public Service (APS).

The SES 100 initiative, co-sponsored by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, aims to increase the number of First Nations SES leaders across the service from 54 to 100.

TOM TILLEY, HOST: Katy Gallagher is the Minister for Women. Minister, thanks for joining us on The Briefing. 

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

TILLEY: What was your reaction when you heard about the murder of Lilie James?

Thank you very much Selina for Welcoming us to Country. Her grandmother, Agnes, was a remarkable Canberran and I was very fortunate to know her and learn from her and take her advice.

She has left a big hole, I think, in our fabric, our social fabric. But I can see from Selina and her family that her grandmother would be very proud of her achievements to date.

I would also like to begin by paying respect to the ancient Ngunnawal people upon whose land we gather this morning.

ANNA VIDOT, HOST: But as you heard a little earlier, the Federal Government's Medicare changes took effect today. And the Government reckons this will mean more bulk billing options for more people. This, we know, is a challenge in many parts of the country but it’s particularly acute here in the ACT, which has some of the lowest bulk billing rates in the country. GPs say they think these changes, yeah, could help to reverse the decline in bulk billing.

New Learning on Country and Junior Ranger programs will support young people in Central Australian communities to stay engaged with education and training, as part of the Australian Government’s $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.

Students in Ti Tree, Santa Teresa, Papunya and surrounding areas, where school attendance is low, will be offered opportunities to connect with Country and culture, while learning valuable skills from local Indigenous Rangers.

PROF LARISSA BEHRENDT, HOST: Minister Linda Burney has been a leader in First Nations issues for decades. She began her career as a teacher in western Sydney and went on to become Director General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, before spending 14 years in the NSW Parliament. Linda was the first Indigenous person to be elected to the NSW parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to join the Australian House of Representatives. When Labor won office at the last Federal Election, Linda Burney was appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians.

The Assistant Minister for the Public Service, the Hon Patrick Gorman MP, has today launched the APS Academy Campus in Townsville.

This Australian Government initiative will build public service data and digital capability and expand regional employment options in Queensland.

The Townsville Campus, delivered by the Australian Public Service (APS) Commission in partnership with James Cook University, is located at the University's Bebegu Yumba campus.

The Albanese Government has today released the initial report of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (FNDIAG) that outlines positive steps towards narrowing the digital divide for First Nations Australians.

The report recommends practical measures to support greater digital inclusion in line with Target 17 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It aims to ensure First Nations people have access to information and services that enable participation in decision-making on matters that affect their own lives.

MICHAEL CLARKE, HOST: Now today is the official opening of the Australian Public Service Academy, based at James Cook University Townsville campus. The Assistant Minister for the Public Service is Patrick Gorman and he's here with us today. Thank you so much for your time and welcome to Townsville.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: Thanks Michael, and hello to your listeners.

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.