MEDIA RELEASE
26 March, 2026
Government Urged to Address Fuel Shortage and Inflation Impacts on Indigenous Land & Sea Managers
The non-profit Country Needs People is urging the government to ensure Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas are catered for in any response to addressing fuel and inflation pressures across Australia.
Indigenous Protected Areas represent over half of our protected area estate, a whopping 108 million hectares of land and 8 million hectares of sea, many in the most remote corners of Australia. It’s critical that Indigenous Rangers can continue to get out and do their work on Country, and have the operational security to run their vehicles, boats, generators and other operational needs.
“We urge the government not to forget the important work done by Indigenous Rangers and in Indigenous Protected Areas in this crisis”, said Paddy O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People.
“Indigenous land and sea managers are working in Australia’s most remote areas, where there are few alternatives. Fuel and inflation pressures are directly impacting their work and community.”
Previously when there was an inflation spike the Federal Government recognised the impact on Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers by increasing operational budgets of Rangers by an appropriate amount. Country Needs People urges the government not to forget the vital work being done by Rangers and in Indigenous Protected Areas nationally, including biodiversity protection, visitor assistance, and often being first responders in cases of fire, flood or cyclone.
“In the medium to longer term, we urge the government to speed up the transition to renewables and electrification of transport and industry nationally” said Paddy O’Leary, “And in the shorter term the government needs to ensure there’s tailored support so Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas can continue managing Country, fire, feral animals, invasive weeds and extreme weather response for all Australians.”
Led by a majority Indigenous board, Country Needs People is a leading national, non-profit, non-partisan organisation committed to Indigenous Land & Sea Management. Alongside 51 Indigenous Partners, Country Needs People works togrow, strengthen and advocate for Indigenous Rangers, to ensure Traditional Owners and their organisations are properly supported to deliver land and sea management Australia-wide.
Photo: Normanby Ranger Vince Harrigan, QLD. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.