I am one of more than 80 000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians calling on all parties to:

1. Double funding for Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas;
2. Secure a long term future for these programs; and
3. Set a long term target of 5000 Indigenous ranger jobs nationwide.

I commend Labor’s commitment to double Indigenous ranger jobs over five years and to secure longer term contracts for rangers. There’s a great opportunity for Labor to now enhance this policy with a commitment to grow Indigenous Protected Areas.

Across Australia, more and more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are expressing an aspiration to protect the culture and wildlife alive on country through Indigenous Protected Areas. Right now, funding doesn’t meet the demand from traditional owner groups nor the level needed to protect the vast land and sea country of our continent.

Doubling annual Indigenous Protected Area funding over five years would allow further growth to meet demand and better management of existing areas, to tackle feral buffalo, camels, cats, weeds and reduce destructive wildfires. It will help foster strong local governance and manage tourism impacts and protect our nation’s ancient cultural heritage. All led by grassroots Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on their own country.  

Can we count on Labor to back your positive commitment on Indigenous rangers with a commitment to grow Indigenous Protected Areas?

I am one of more than 80 000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians calling on all parties to:

1. Double funding for Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas;
2. Secure a long term future for these programs; and
3. Set a long term target of 5000 Indigenous ranger jobs nationwide.

I commend the government’s legacy of supporting Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas, including the positive growth of both programs under the current government.

Across Australia, Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas are delivering results for the benefit of every Australian. Rangers are maintaining tourism and cultural sites, tackling feral animals and invasive weeds, supporting research and limiting dangerous wildfires. At the same time, the transformative effect of meaningful work is delivering role models, career and business opportunities and more in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Now there is a great opportunity to build on that achievement for the longer term. Extending all Indigenous Protected Area and Indigenous ranger contracts to 2023 would be of great benefit not only to local Indigenous groups but to every Australian who supports practical management of our natural heritage.

Will you support the extension of Indigenous ranger and new Indigenous Protected Area contracts to 2023?

I am writing to tell you, as candidates in my electorate, that the growth and security of both the Indigenous Protected Area and Indigenous ranger programs is an important issue for me, and to ask you to support the call to further grow these successful programs.

I am one of more than 80 000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians calling on all parties to:

1. Double funding for both Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous ranger jobs;
2. Secure a long term future for these programs; and
3. Set a long term target of 5000 Indigenous ranger jobs nationwide.

Across Australia, Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous ranger jobs are delivering results for the benefit of all Australians. Rangers are maintaining tourism and cultural sites, tackling feral animals and invasive weeds, supporting scientific research and limiting dangerous wildfires. At the same time, the transformative effect of meaningful work is delivering role models, career and business opportunities, and much more to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

What will you and your party do to support the call to grow and secure both Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous ranger jobs for the long term?

I am one of more than 80 000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians calling on all parties to:

1. Double funding for Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas;
2. Secure a long term future for these programs; and
3. Set a long term target of 5000 Indigenous ranger jobs nationwide.

Across Australia, Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas are delivering results for the benefit of every Australian. Rangers are maintaining tourism and cultural sites, tackling feral animals and invasive weeds, supporting research and limiting dangerous wildfires. At the same time, the transformative effect of meaningful work is delivering role models, career and business opportunities and more in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Will you support the call to grow and secure Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas for the long term?