Queensland will receive the lion’s share of places under a boost to the Indigenous Rangers Program.
More than 1000 new Indigenous ranger jobs will be created across the country, with the Federal Government investing $355 million over four years to expand the program.
Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said 115 projects would receive funding, including 35 in Queensland.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said 23 would be funded in Western Australia, 21 in New South Wales, 12 in Northern Territory, 11 in South Australia, nine in Victoria and four in Tasmania.
“First Nations women will make up the vast majority of the new full-time, part-time and casual roles, with up to 770 Indigenous ranger positions,” she said.
“This marks the first time in more than a decade that new ranger groups have been able to apply to join the Commonwealth Indigenous Rangers Program.”
Senator McCarthy said the expansion round also included grants of up to $50,000 per year over four years to strengthen ranger groups and support their long-term sustainability.
She said the $1.3 billion investment to 2028 aimed to double the number of Indigenous rangers by the end of the decade.
“Women Indigenous rangers play an important role in ensuring the protection of sacred women’s sites and the preservation of important cultural knowledge and practices.
“For more than 65,000 years, First Nations people have been caretakers of Australia’s land, rivers, seas, flora and fauna.”
Senator McCarthy said Indigenous rangers continued that legacy today, managing Country according to Traditional Owners’ objectives combined with modern conservation training.
“They use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, and Western science, to manage land, river and sea Country and deliver environmental, cultural, social and economic development outcomes for First Nations communities.”
Learn more about the Indigenous Rangers Program.
