The McGowan Government has today welcomed a pledge from the Federal Labor Party to double the number of Aboriginal Rangers in Western Australia over the next five years.
Since coming to office, the McGowan Government has rapidly progressed its $20 million Aboriginal Ranger Program to deliver on-ground action to support new and existing ranger groups throughout the State.
About $8.5 million in funding has already been provided to 13 groups under round one of the State Government program, providing real jobs and economic and social benefits.
Under a Shorten Labor Government, the Federal program will look to partner where possible with WA Aboriginal Rangers to maximise employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.
Co-operation between the two levels of government will create more opportunities across the State, including more opportunities to train young and emerging rangers as well as women rangers.
Expressions of interest for round two of the McGowan Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program closed on March 15, 2019.
As noted by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“A commitment from Federal Labor to work with the State Government to further expand the State’s ranger program is great news for the environment, and great news for the economic and social resilience of remote and regional Aboriginal communities.
“This commitment will expand the pathways for Aboriginal people to develop a career in land and sea management, while providing for long-term cultural and conservation outcomes.”
As noted by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“The Aboriginal Ranger Program here in WA is a great program that is achieving tangible outcomes for Aboriginal communities right across Western Australia.
“I am sure news of a Federal commitment to on-country jobs will be welcomed right across remote and regional WA, and we thank Federal Labor for its proactive leadership in this space.”
