TOM CONNELL, HOST: Joining me for more on this, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman and NSW Liberal Party President, Jason Falinski. Gentlemen, thanks as ever for your time. So, there’s sheen coming off. The interesting thing, Patrick Gorman, is that the approval rating on Anthony Albanese's job. It's gone from +35 to -10. Why is that so, do you think?

The Australian and Northern Territory governments are continuing to deliver housing and infrastructure improvements to Territorian First Nations communities, as part of the $2.2 billion Remote Housing Investment Package.

Completing another major housing build and handover milestone, the community of Wugularr (Beswick) received 28 new homes – supporting the local community with the housing infrastructure they need to achieve better outcomes.

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting diverse and unique experiences for both domestic and international visitors, providing $6 million in grants to more than 100 First Nations tourism businesses and community organisations across the country.

With international visitor numbers rising post-pandemic, it’s a great time to invest in the sector and ensure First Nations tourism operators are well placed to benefit from the ongoing recovery of Australia’s tourism industry.

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.