Published: 2 May 2025

In the lead up to the 2025 Federal Election, Country Needs People has been working hard to get politicians from all sides of politics to commit to growing and securing funds for Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas. Our advocacy includes our National Petition which has accrued over 10,000 signatures. We will never tell you how to vote, that's your choice, but we always work to get support from across the political spectrum. We have been asking pollies to commit to:

1. Continuing the federally funded process to double Indigenous Ranger jobs with an equity target for women by 2030.
2. Continuing to strengthen and grow Australia’s network of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs).
3. Ensuring operational budgets for Indigenous Rangers and IPAs are sufficiently funded and tailored to enable effective work on the challenging land and sea management issues they need to tackle.
4. Rebuilding the staffing capacity of the federal environment department to supply dedicated support to the land and sea management work of Indigenous organisations that host Rangers and IPAs to ensure the best outcomes for people and the environment.
5. Securing both these successful and important programs over the next decade and beyond with clear public statements about their future beyond 2030.

So where do they stand in the 2025 Federal Election? (Scroll down to see the statements from all parties and independents)

Labor

By email to Country Needs People on 2^nd April 2025 the Labor Party stated: 

“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering real, long-term investment in these programs and will continue working closely with Traditional Owners and Indigenous organisations to ensure they have the resources and support needed to manage Country effectively...

Labor Government is investing $1.3 billion in the Indigenous Rangers Program through to 2028, with a clear goal of doubling the number of Indigenous rangers by the end of the decade—a target we are on track to meet. This is the largest investment in the program’s history.

The Albanese Labor government is providing $231.5 million to continue and improve the IPA program. We’re also establishing 12 new Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) right across Australia following a $14.6 million investment. There are now 89 IPAs, managing 90 million hectares of land and protecting 6 million hectares of sea Country."

Links to recent media releases on expansion of Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers here. 

Liberal National Coalition

Received by email on 14^th March 2025 titled 'The Coalition’s response to Country Needs People 2025 Federal Election Questionnaire':

“It was a Coalition Government that established the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) and the Indigenous Rangers Programs, and it was under the previous Coalition Government that more than $1.3 billion in commitments were made to Indigenous Rangers. The Coalition is pleased they have delivered a wide range of benefits.

However, we are concerned by the current uncertainty around these measures and broader mismanagement of Indigenous programs and the Department of Environment by the Albanese Government. A Dutton Coalition Government would undertake an audit of all Indigenous expenditure to identify failed and/or unnecessary funding that can be reprioritised towards frontline solutions and ensure that the outcomes needed by Indigenous Australians are actually being delivered."

The Greens

The Greens have stated in their policy platform for the 2025 Federal Election the following: 

• First Nations Ranger Programs and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are vital for protecting, restoring, and caring for country, particularly in the face of the climate crisis. These programs currently need more operational support, with budgets that primarily cover wages but leave little for essential resources and administration. 
• Returning the administration of these initiatives to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and providing targeted funding will ensure they are better resourced to achieve positive outcomes for country.

Read their full platform on Indigenous Rangers and IPAs here. 

Independents

Country Needs People has worked hard to confirm the position of the various independents running in this election. Independent candidates we have received responses from can be seen listed below alphabetically according to their first name: 

Alex Dyson (Candidate for Wannon) 

As stated in a media release on 02/04/25: "Alex Dyson today highlighted the crucial environmental and economic need to protect Australia’s natural places, in a statement backing Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous ranger programs across Australia.

“Across Wannon Indigenous rangers are already caring for country at four Indigenous Protected Areas at Lake Condah, Kurtonitj, Deen Maar, and the Framlingham Forest."

If elected, I’ll be proud to ensure Indigenous Rangers have the resources they need to succeed."

You can find Alex Dyson's full media release here. 

Allegra Spender (Member for Wentworth)

As per an email received by Country Needs People on 23/04/25:

"Allegra is a strong supporter of the Indigenous Rangers program and Indigenous Protected Areas.

Allegra is very supportive of the commitments made during the current Parliament to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by 2030, ensure gender equity in this program, expand Indigenous Protected Areas, and provide rangers and relevant organisations with proper support from Government.

Allegra previously advocated directly to the Minister for Indigenous Australians and the Minister for the Environment for support to be provided for these types of programs, noting that they provide environmental, social, and economic benefits for not just their own communities but for all Australians."

Andrew Wilkie (Member for Clark)

In email correspondence with Country Needs People received on 30/04/25 Andrew Wilkie stated: "I support the five priorities of the Country Needs People campaign, and am a strong supporter generally of Indigenous ranger programs and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA). Should I be re-elected, I will advocate for these priorities with whoever forms government."

Caz Heise (Candidate for Cowper) 

Caz Heise has signed on to all five of Country Needs People's asks for the 2025 Federal Election and strongly supports Indigenous land and sea management as confirmed by email response to the Country Needs People petition and by media release on 14/03/25 stating:

“This is a proven model for delivering environmental, cultural, and economic benefits,” Caz said. 

“Securing this funding means more jobs for Indigenous people in Cowper, more protection for our environment, and stronger connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together for the benefit of our country.”

See media release here. 

David Pocock (Senator for the ACT)

As per email response to Country Needs People on 10/04/25: "Senator Pocock supports the ongoing effort to increase the number of Indigenous Rangers. Senator Pocock has also advocated for expanding the IPA network to ensure the continued conservation of Australia’s unique landscapes and cultural sites. The Senator believes that funding must be sufficient and appropriately indexed to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. He has sought greater clarity from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) on this matter, including whether ranger groups will have access to additional wage and cost-of-living support allocated in the Federal Budget.

Senator Pocock has also raised concerns about the capacity of contract and agreement managers within the NIAA, noting that many oversee multiple program areas without specialised expertise in land management. He believes it is essential to rebuild staffing capacity in the federal environment department to ensure Indigenous Rangers and IPA managers receive the necessary support to achieve the best outcomes."

You can read more on Senator Pocock's support for the Indigenous Ranger program here.

Helen Haines (Member for Indi) 

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 11/04/25 Helen Haines stated: "The Indigenous Rangers program and Indigenous Protected Areas program are both a valued and crucial part of looking after both cultural heritage and country, with demonstrated benefits to indigenous communities and the Australian people." and "I support continued investment in the Indigenous Rangers program and the Indigenous Protection Areas program". 

Kate Chaney (Member for Curtin) 

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 25/04/25 Kate Chaney: "is very supportive of the work that Indigenous Rangers undertake in protecting natural habitats and managing Country" and "supports the expansion of the Indigenous Protected Areas program". 

Monique Ryan (Member for Kooyong)

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 28/04/25 Dr Monique Ryan: "is committed to advocating for reconciliation efforts to ensure that we respect and listen to First Nations people." Dr Ryan has previously spoke in support of increased funding to the Indigenous Ranger program in Parliament in 2024. 

Nicolette Boele (Candidate for Bradfield) 

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 03/03/25 Nicolette Boele: "supports the ongoing delivery of these programs" and "would also support future expansion of these programs, provided anticipated program benefits are being delivered, and she believes expansion will deliver positive outcomes for the environment, culture and community".

Rebekah Sharkie (Member for Mayo)

Rebekha Sharkie stated by email on 1^st May 2025 to Country Needs People: “her ongoing support for both the Indigenous Rangers programs and Indigenous Protected Areas, with a particular emphasis on initiatives to increase the numbers of women and young people working as Rangers. Should Rebekha be fortunate enough to be re-elected following the impending election she intends to continue to support increasing Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas in the future should such proposals be brought to the Parliament, and indeed would welcome Indigenous Rangers to the electorate of Mayo.”

Sophie Scamps (Member for Mackellar) 

Sophie Scamps has signed on to all Country Needs People's asks for the 2025 Federal Election and strongly supports Indigenous land and sea management as confirmed by email response to the Country Needs People petition. As per detailed email response Country Needs People's petition received on 10/04/25 Sophie Scamps: "supports strengthening the Indigenous Ranger Program over the next term of government". She states: “The Indigenous Ranger and Protected Area programs are a proven success story for the lives of Indigenous people providing an opportunity to share their knowledge and benefit from the social and economic outcomes that come from meaningful employment.”

Zali Steggall (Member for Warringah)

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 15/04/25 Zali Steggall: "supports the continued expansion and long-term security of the Indigenous Ranger Program and the IPA network" and "believes in securing multi-decade commitments for Indigenous Rangers and IPAs". 

Zoe Daniel (Member for Goldstein)

As per an email response to Country Needs People's petition received on 10/04/25 Zoe Daniel stated: “Zoe is a strong supporter of Indigenous Ranger programs and is pleased that in late 2024 the Labor government committed to expanding the program ….and committing to creating new projects and more than 1000 new indigenous ranger jobs. She appreciates the work undertaken by Indigenous rangers including land and water management, cultural and bushfire burning, biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage protection. Zoe will support further expansion of the program and equity targets where needed.”