Labor recognises that First Nations peoples have authority, knowledge and experience derived from many millennia of custodianship over land and water.
That’s why an Albanese Labor Government will double the number of Indigenous Rangers to 3,800 jobs by the end of the decade. Indigenous rangers play a vital role in the restoration and preservation of land and water.
We will work towards a target of gender equality in ranger positions so that these roles are accessible to all.
Labor will boost funding for management of Indigenous Protected Areas, providing $10 million each year.
We will provide certainty for Ranger groups and IPAs by committing to longer contracts and requiring that contract extension negotiations begin no later than 18 months before the end of the contract.
Labor will deliver the $40 million of cultural water promised in 2018 but not yet delivered by the Morrison-Joyce Government.
We will work to increase First Nations peoples’ ownership of water entitlements in the Murray Darling Basin by providing a full response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations in its National Water Reform report.
And we will make sure that First Nations peoples’ authority, knowledge and experience better informs the work of relevant agencies and is incorporated into planning for environmental watering.
You can read more about these policies and commitments here.
The Country Needs People (CNP) campaign welcomed Labor’s announcement, calling on other parties and candidates to make similar commitments. CNP Executive Director, Patrick O’Leary said:
“Anthony Albanese’s statement today that Labor will commit to doubling Indigenous ranger jobs across Australia by 2030 is a major recognition of the value of First Nations land and sea management.” You can read the rest of their statement here.
Listening to First Nations people is at the core of Labor’s approach. Labor is the only party that has the capacity and the will to double the number of Indigenous Rangers and provide ongoing support for their important work in healing country.
