Landmark $4 billion investment for remote housing in the Northern Territory to help Close the Gap

The Federal and Northern Territory Governments have announced a landmark joint $4 billion dollar investment for housing in remote communities across the Northern Territory to help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The Prime Minister made the announcement during a visit to community of Binjari, near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

The 10-year commitment to improve remote housing will see up to 270 homes built each year, with the goal of halving overcrowding. It also includes continued support for repairs and maintenance.

Tasmanian Labor campaign launch

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I salute all my Federal and State colleagues here today, each and every one of them a champion for the people of Tasmania.

And I want to give a special shout out to the volunteers and campaign workers here with us, as well as all those working across the state as we speak: people knocking on doors, making phone calls and spreading the word.

Last year, we came together to celebrate 120 years of Tasmanian Labor.

Radio interview - ABC Radio Canberra Breakfast

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: The Prime Minister of Australia is Anthony Albanese and he's with us on this Canberra Day public holiday. Prime Minister, thanks for making time on ABC Canberra Breakfast.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here. And it was an absolutely stunning morning by the lake. I was there with the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, and with Jodie and we took Toto for a walk along the lakefront there. It was just stunning watching the balloons. And what an amazing setting for Canberra.

Radio interview - ABC AM

DAVID LIPSON, HOST: G'day. Welcome to AM. I'm David Lipson coming to you from Gadigal Land in Sydney. The Prime Minister is today unveiling a major boost to Indigenous housing in the Northern Territory. Along with the NT Government, $4 billion will be spent on the construction of 2,700 new homes over ten years. The aim is to halve overcrowding in Indigenous homes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins me now. PM, thanks for being with us here on AM.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you, David.

State funeral for Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

It is a great and humbling honour to join with you today to honour the memory of one of the most remarkable leaders this country has ever known.

Lowitja O’Donoghue was, to use the words of Noel Pearson, “a leader's leader”.

As we mourn her, we give thanks for the better Australia she helped make possible. Perhaps even more importantly, we reflect on the possibility of an even better Australia, which she placed so clearly before us.

Doorstop - Canberra

ALICIA PAYNE, MEMBER FOR CANBERRA: Today is International Women's Day where we celebrate the contribution of women to all aspects of life and recognise that we have more to do to achieve gender equality. But I'm so proud to be part of a government and have a prime minister that truly believes in that and are already taking big steps, in relatively short time, to get there.

Statement on Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon

Our thoughts are with our friend Joel Fitzgibbon and his family following the tragic death of his son, Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, in a Special Forces training accident.

The extraordinary men and women who volunteer to serve in the Australian Defence Force do our nation proud every day.

Every death in the service of Australia carries the heavy weight of loss and sadness. The tragedy of a life cut cruelly short.

This tragic accident is a harsh reminder that there are no easy days for those who defend our nation.

Joint statement on the elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia

1. Viet Nam and Australia have built a strong and broad relationship through mutual strategic trust and understanding since establishing diplomatic relations in 1973. The Viet Nam Australia Strategic Partnership, announced in 2018, supported the deepening of ties across all areas of the bilateral relationship. Our friendship and cooperation are underpinned by complementary economies, converging interests and deep people-to-people ties.