5 years ago
INDIGENOUS RANGERS AND INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREAS IN WA
BILL SHORTEN MP
A Shorten Labor government will work with the McGowan Government to double the number of Indigenous Rangers in Western Australia, and take action to expand the number of Indigenous Protected Areas. Rangers combine traditional knowledge with the latest environmental science. Their work is essential.
Federal Labor has previously announced our commitment to close the gap in Indigenous employment outcomes by doubling the number of Indigenous rangers, ensuring more Indigenous Australians have the opportunity to have their land and sea work recognised as paid employment.
The conservation work done by these rangers is also invaluable in the protection of our environment. That is why Labor will double the number of Indigenous rangers over five years. This will mean over 1650 Full-Time-Equivalent ranger jobs across the country.
Rangers apply traditional knowledge to land and sea management and when combined with the latest science the country benefits. Whether it be fire management and traditional burning, management of weeds and pests, protecting threatened species or preserving stories and culture – it all benefits from the work of rangers on country.
Many of these new jobs will be based in Western Australia – there are already 27 Indigenous Ranger groups in Western Australia, and this number will grow if a Shorten Labor Government is elected.
At the same time, Western Australia has established its successful Aboriginal Ranger Program, which now employs around 85 people across 13 Aboriginal Ranger groups in land and sea management.
Aligning the programs means Labor can work towards doubling the number of rangers in Western Australia.
Under a Shorten Labor Government, the federal Indigenous Rangers will look to partner where possible with WA Aboriginal Rangers to maximise employment opportunities for Indigenous people in Western Australia, and the country being cared for by Indigenous Australians.
Where possible, Labor will work to ensure established Ranger groups can grow, while mentoring opportunities are available to newer groups.
Co-operation between the two levels of government means there will be more opportunities across the state, with more opportunities to train young and emerging Rangers as well as women rangers.
Federal Labor is also seeking to expand the number of Indigenous Protected Areas and improve sea country management for species such as turtles and dugongs around Australia and we will work with the Western Australian Government to do this.
Federal Labor has previously announced our commitment to close the gap in Indigenous employment outcomes by doubling the number of Indigenous rangers, ensuring more Indigenous Australians have the opportunity to have their land and sea work recognised as paid employment.
The conservation work done by these rangers is also invaluable in the protection of our environment. That is why Labor will double the number of Indigenous rangers over five years. This will mean over 1650 Full-Time-Equivalent ranger jobs across the country.
Rangers apply traditional knowledge to land and sea management and when combined with the latest science the country benefits. Whether it be fire management and traditional burning, management of weeds and pests, protecting threatened species or preserving stories and culture – it all benefits from the work of rangers on country.
Many of these new jobs will be based in Western Australia – there are already 27 Indigenous Ranger groups in Western Australia, and this number will grow if a Shorten Labor Government is elected.
At the same time, Western Australia has established its successful Aboriginal Ranger Program, which now employs around 85 people across 13 Aboriginal Ranger groups in land and sea management.
Aligning the programs means Labor can work towards doubling the number of rangers in Western Australia.
Under a Shorten Labor Government, the federal Indigenous Rangers will look to partner where possible with WA Aboriginal Rangers to maximise employment opportunities for Indigenous people in Western Australia, and the country being cared for by Indigenous Australians.
Where possible, Labor will work to ensure established Ranger groups can grow, while mentoring opportunities are available to newer groups.
Co-operation between the two levels of government means there will be more opportunities across the state, with more opportunities to train young and emerging Rangers as well as women rangers.
Federal Labor is also seeking to expand the number of Indigenous Protected Areas and improve sea country management for species such as turtles and dugongs around Australia and we will work with the Western Australian Government to do this.