SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY

MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

SENATOR FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY

TANYA PLIBERSEK MP

MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

KRISTY MCBAIN MP

MEMBER FOR EDEN-MONARO

As part of $74.7 million flowing across New South Wales, the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council, in partnership with the Merrimans and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Councils, will receive funding to employ local First Nations rangers.

This investment, under the Albanese Labor Government’s expanded Indigenous Rangers Program, will support vital land and sea management efforts while creating jobs for First Nations people in the region.

They are among more than 1,000 new Indigenous ranger jobs that will be created across the country, with the Albanese Government investing $355 million over four years to expand the Indigenous Rangers Program.

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.

115 projects will receive funding nationally, 21 in New South Wales.

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.

This expansion round also includes grants of up to $50,000 per year over four years to strengthen ranger groups and support their long-term sustainability.

The Albanese Government is investing a total of $1.3 billion to 2028 in the Indigenous Rangers Program with aims 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.

Indigenous rangers continue this 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.

More information can be found on the Indigenous Rangers website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

“Expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program will provide more opportunities for First Nations people to share their knowledge and benefit from the social and economic outcomes that come from meaningful employment.

“This expansion delivers on the government’s commitment to increase the Indigenous Rangers Program’s footprint and bolster activity in existing locations, with new opportunities for women Indigenous rangers who play a unique role in caring for Country.

“I acknowledge the work of all rangers and the care and strength they demonstrate in looking after Country. I also want to show appreciation for all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who cross paths with and learn from them.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“We are so lucky in this country to have the world’s most successful environmentalists to learn from.

“First Nations people have actively managed Country for 65,000 years and provide skilled environmental and cultural expertise that benefits all of Australia.

“That’s why we have expanded both the Indigenous Rangers Program and the successful Indigenous Protected Area program – continuing to support Traditional Owners to manage and protect land and sea Country for future generations.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:

“This is fabulous news for the Bega Valley – and something I have been calling for many years.

“Expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program strengthens communities like ours by combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation methods.

“This funding will support more Indigenous rangers right up and down the Bega Valley to continue their vital work of caring for country, while also creating long-term, sustainable jobs.”