The addition of 1000 new ranger jobs across the country has been welcomed by Indigenous land management groups, but they say more ongoing funding is needed to support their work.
Country Needs People, which supports ranger groups across Australia, said it was great to see the $355 million funding commitment.
“It’s great to see the first stage of rollout of the new Indigenous ranger positions announced and the federal government delivering on their long-term commitment,” chief executive Patrick O’Leary said.
“This won’t be the last funding round and there will need to be further rounds of ranger job funding following the next federal election.”
Up to 770 of the new ranger roles will be set aside for Indigenous women, who play an important role in protecting women’s sites, preserving cultural knowledge and practices.
“We know as First Nations people that both men and women have significant roles in our culture, in our society, and we want to see more of our First Nations women be acknowledged through the ranger programs, “Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said from Healesville in Victoria on Thursday.
“So, this will give and boost, hopefully, for our women across the country who receive this funding with their nearby ranger groups.”
The federal government has promised to spend $1.3 billion in the Indigenous Rangers Program until 2026, aiming to double the number of rangers by the end of the decade.
First Nations people have cared for Country for generations, and Indigenous rangers work to protect land, sea and wildlife through traditional knowledge and Western science.
It’s important and varied work, with rangers managing fire, tackling feral animals and controlling invasive weeds while protecting threatened species.
“As well as delivering nature and biodiversity protection, they are uniquely positioned to deliver improved management of cultural values on land and sea,” Mr O’Leary said.
“Combining 65,000 years of ongoing presence, survival and understanding of Country with contemporary science and technology, this an investment that benefits every Australian and that every Australian can be proud of,” he said.
“But we sound a word of caution also for the future. This work is hard, it needs support for Ranger teams and their host organisations to be their most effective in often really challenging circumstances.
“That means adequate operational funding and adequate support for on-ground capability.”
The federal funding will go to 115 projects across the country – 35 in Queensland, 23 in Western Australia, 21 in NSW, 12 in Northern Territory, 11 in South Australia, 9 in Victoria and 4 in Tasmania.
It is the first time in more than a decade that new ranger groups have been able to apply to join the Commonwealth Indigenous Rangers Program.
