Published: 22 Mar 2025

We welcome Minister Plibersek’s announcement today of new funding for protected areas, which includes new Indigenous Protected Areas, on the eve of our National Indigenous Protected Areas Workshop in Canberra, which will see over 20 Indigenous organisations supporting Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) converge on the Capital during Budget Week.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to support new Indigenous Protected Areas”, says Denis Rose, Gunditjmara man and Country Needs People board member. “First Nations landowners are contributing their land, knowledge and efforts towards the betterment of Australia’s biodiversity. The future of Indigenous Protected Areas rely on consistency of funding and adequate resources.”

“It’s particularly important at this time to hear really clear statements from all parties and candidates about how they will fund and support Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers that work in them” says Patrick O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People.

"So with this announcement we’re keen to see more detail of specifically what funding is allocated to Indigenous Protected Areas, which now make up the majority of Australia's protected areas on land. IPAs need support commensurate with the contribution they make to Australia's protected area system and the pressures they face”, says Patrick O’Leary.

“Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers are delivering real value right across Australia” said Country Needs People’s Chair Dr. Bhiamie Williamson, a Euahlayi man from North West NSW. “Every Australian benefits through an investment in Indigenous Protected Areas because they are genuinely community driven, protect biodiversity, sustain and respect culture, and generate local jobs and better working partnerships.”

"IPAs are at the frontline of climate change impacts and it's vital that all parties strengthen their funding and support to help them navigate and respond including to increasing extreme weather events and other pressures", says Dr. Bhiamie Williamson.

Australia’s Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) estate is now larger than the size of France and Germany combined, covering over 54 % of Australians Reserves on land. With 91 IPAs in Australia, covering over 110 million hectares of land and sea Country, future security is more critical than ever. Combining traditional knowledge and western science, Indigenous Rangers manage IPAs responding to intensifying threats from changed fire patterns, invasive weeds, feral animals and a heating climate.

This week Traditional Owners will travel in from 20 organisations across Australia – from Cape York, to South East Arnhem Land, the Great Sandy Desert, the Kimberley, Tiwi Islands, regional NSW and Victoria and beyond, to discuss Indigenous Protected Areas and how to strengthen their management.

Organised by non-profit Country Needs People, the workshop will see Traditional Owners discussing the challenges ahead for Indigenous Protected Areas and their critical role protecting nature, sustaining culture and supporting jobs for all Australians. 

Alongside a network of over 50 Indigenous Partner groups Country Needs People works to improve the quantity, quality and security of support for Indigenous-led land and sea management nationally.