The latest Gender Gap Report from the World Economic Forum shows that since the Albanese Labor Government took office, Australia’s world gender equality ranking has jumped up 17 places from 43rd to 26th – the largest increase since the index began in 2006.

At the election, Labor promised to make Australia a world leader on gender equality after a decade of stalled progress under the former Coalition Government. 

This result shows just how serious the Albanese Government is about delivering on this promise and improving the lives of women across the country.

The Albanese Government’s First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan released today outlines for the first time clear priorities to close the digital gap for First Nations Australians.

The Plan provides a framework for delivering Target 17 of Closing the Gap – the elimination of digital inequality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians – by identifying priority actions for Government, community and industry to deliver reliable and affordable telecommunications services and appropriate consumer training.

Ballumb Ambul Gadigal yindamarra. Ngadu – yirra bang marang.

In the language of my people, the Wiradjuri

I pay my respects to the Gadigal of the Eora Nation – and honour their custodianship and care for Country.

And I extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here from all points of the southern sky.

Thank you Yvonne Weldon for the warm Welcome to Country.

To Lord Mayor, Clover Moore -

Thank you for your commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

SARAH FERGUSON, HOST: Katy Gallagher, welcome to 7.30

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

FERGUSON: The incoming Governor of the Reserve Bank, Michele Bullock, says that unemployment would have to rise to 4.5 percent for inflation to come down. Is the possible loss of 150,000 jobs the price we have to pay to achieve that?

The Albanese Government is taking action to turn the tide on the appalling rates of incarceration and deaths in custody of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians by delivering on our commitment to establish real-time reporting.

It has been 32 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, yet the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people dying in prisons and police custody remains a national shame.

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: Federal Minister for the Public Service and Minister of Finance, Katy Gallagher, a very good morning to you.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER: Good morning, Adam.

SHIRLEY: Reflect on that text and the public sentiment, it would seem, on the Big Four, the money they get paid by government to do their work?

Acknowledgements  

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation.

I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Because this always has been, and forever will be, Aboriginal land.

I am honoured to be here on behalf of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

And I am proud that our Government has held firm in our commitment to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

Ensuring First Nations voices across Australia are heard.

The dedication of the Crocodile Islands Maringa Indigenous Protected Area in the Top End has been celebrated with a ceremony in north-east Arnhem Land.

The newly protected area includes 20 islands, covering over 78,000 hectares of land and over 730,000 hectares of sea country.

The islands’ mangroves, mudflats, coastal floodplains, monsoon forests, eucalypt forests, shallow seas and reefs are home to 44 threatened species.

The sun made the new students sweat as they arrived at the University of Western Australia at the start of 1957.

The sandstone buildings echoed with enthusiasm.

Undoubtedly the most enthusiastic, and possibly nervous, student walking onto campus that year was Irwin Lewis. Irwin was the first Aboriginal student to attend university in WA.

The first Aboriginal student, attending university just three years after the abolition of discriminatory the native pass system in Perth.

This is our moment

Later this year, you will all be asked a simple question:

Do you support a change to the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?

Yes or No.

122 years after the Australian Constitution was formed.

More than 80 years since William Cooper's petition.

56 years since the 1967 referendum.

35 years since the Barunga Statement.

30 years since Keating's Redfern speech.

16 years since Howard promised a referendum on recognition.