There is no funding for the NT Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program in the 2025 Budget for the next four years. Before the 2024 NT Election, Treasurer Bill Yan publicly committed to the NT Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program.  

This is simply a broken promise... unless the Finocchiaro and Yan Government now acts with integrity and restores this funding. 

NT’s Aboriginal Rangers look after the Territory for all Territorians - fighting dangerous wildfires, eradicating harmful weeds, managing feral animals, and protecting threatened species and culture on Country. 

The NT’s Aboriginal Rangers are an Aussie success story, with the benefits wide-reaching for all Territorians. The NT Government has now killed a vital program which supported communities on Country, giving critical support for essential equipment and infrastructure.  

We call on the Territory Government to take action today to reinstate the NT Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program and keep its promise to Territorians.

I am writing to you to express my shock that the Finocchiaro and Yan led NT Government has broken the promise that was clearly made before the election to all Territorians and to Aboriginal Rangers. 

Before the 2024 NT Election, now Treasurer Bill Yan publicly committed to support the NT Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program. He clearly stated that: “The CLP Shadow Minister for Parks and Rangers, Bill Yan, confirmed to The Centralian Today that an elected CLP Government would match the election commitment made by Labor. “ 

"The CLP remains committed to the Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program, and if elected, we will fully fund the program with $12 million over four years.” (Centralian Today, 15/8/24). 

I was shocked to find out that there is no commitment to the NT Aboriginal Ranger Grant Program in the May 2025 budget, which clearly breaks this promise.  

This critical funding supports Aboriginal Rangers to do essential work on Country, looking after nature and people right across our most beautiful and remote places, for the benefit of all Territorians. It supports urgent equipment, vital infrastructure and practical projects needed for Rangers to get out on Country and make their work viable.    

These Ranger jobs are key local jobs right across the NT. They offer hope for young people and provide positive work opportunities and careers for Aboriginal Territorians, men and women, to make a positive contribution to our environment, as well as supporting families in remote communities.

The NT Government made a promise to Aboriginal Rangers and indeed to every Territorian.  

I call on you to implore the NT Government to act with some integrity to rectify this and tell me how you personally will work to urgently to restore the funding that was so clearly promised, before the election. 

I would like to hear about your commitment, as a Territorian MLA, to help reinstate this critical funding for NT’s Aboriginal Rangers. 

Yours sincerely,