Queenslanders are heading to the voting booths on Saturday so we wanted to make sure you know where the major parties stand on growing the number of Indigenous ranger jobs.
We've heard a lot of positive statements from politicians about the value of Indigenous rangers for people and nature in Queensland, but we have not seen many real commitments for growing and securing these jobs. Here's each parties' solid commitments and general support for rangers:
Queensland Greens
Action: The Queensland Greens have made an election commitment to support an additional 150 Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers. This would see the total number of rangers increase to 250.
Words:
"Indigenous rangers are not just a successful environmental and jobs program, they're an incredibly important social justice program. Indigenous rangers deserve certainty and a long term plan for the future."
One Nation
Should One Nation secure sufficient support following the State election later this month to influence Government decisions, Steve will advocate for an increase in funding support for Indigenous Rangers.
Queensland Labor
Action: no specific election commitment to grow Indigenous ranger jobs. Increased funding to add 25 new Indigenous ranger jobs over four years in 2017 state budget.
Words:
The Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program is a special success story, delivering environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits to Queensland for ten years since it was first established by Labor Premier Peter Beattie.
A re-elected Labor Government will continue to support this special program and look for ways to build upon its successes to date.
- Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier, Member for South Brisbane
Liberal National Party
Action: no specific commitment to grow Indigenous ranger jobs.
Words:
The LNP sees the program as of vital importance and if successful at the election would look, wherever possible, at expanding the program and employing more frontline rangers - to work with officers across Departments in environmental protection and management, fisheries, land management and tourism. If the LNP is successful at the election and I am fortunate to be Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, I would take a strong interest in expanding existing programs wherever possible.
- Dr Christian Rowan, LNP Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Shadow Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef
Phone calls and visits to your local electorate office have even more weight than messages to local candidates. Would you call or visit your local MP to ask what they'll do for Indigenous rangers? Contact us for more information.
The Country Needs People campaign is non-partisan and advocates to all political representatives the value of increasing and securing funding for Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas.