ParlInfo - Landmark funding for Indigenous protected areas delivered this NAIDOC Week
Landmark funding for Indigenous protected areas delivered this NAIDOC Week
Landmark funding for Indigenous Protected Areas delivered
this NAIDOC Week
ï· More than $87 million to 48 Indigenous organisations to support 76 existing Indigenous Protected Areas over the next five years ï· Indigenous Protected Areas now comprise over 65 million hectares, or more than 44 per cent, of Australia’s National Reserve System. ï· Coalition Government is now investing a record $727 million into ranger
programmes since coming to office
This NAIDOC Week the Coalition Government will invest an additional $87 million to support Indigenous organisations to protect biodiversity and cultural heritage through Indigenous Protected Areas.
Indigenous Protected Areas put land and sea country management into the hands of Traditional Owners, providing environmental, employment and social benefits.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that 48 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across the country would receive funding to continue their work managing Indigenous Protected Areas.
“Indigenous Protected Areas support First Australians, to work on land and sea country, achieving significant conservation outcomes, connecting with country and culture and promoting Indigenous business.”
“There are 14 Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in the Northern Territory from Djelk and Anindiliyakwa in the North, down to Katiti Petermann and Angas Downs in the South, so Territorians know and understand the value that IPAs and indeed all ranger programmes deliver to the community.
“The Coalition Government is making a record investment in ranger programmes and is proud to have now invested $727 million since coming to office.
“I look forward to working with the Assistant Minister for the Environment to establish more Indigenous Protected Areas across the country,” Minister Scullion said today.
Assistant Minister for the Environment, Melissa Price, said combined with Indigenous Rangers, these programmes employ over 2,900 First Australians across regional and remote Australia.
“I’m proud of the record support provided to Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers, including a $30 million project to build the capacity of rangers to pursue employment and business opportunities in biosecurity, fisheries and border protection.
“With 15 IPAs located right across my own great electorate of Durack, I see firsthand the work that rangers do to protect and conserve our environment and help fight against the threat of pests and diseases which impact not only our native flora and fauna but also our primary industries as well,” Ms Price said.
Funding for existing Indigenous Protected Areas transferred to the Indigenous Advancement Strategy on 1 July 2018.
Media contacts: Minister Scullion: Brett Chant - 0477 744 614 Minister Price: Andrew Brosnan - 0418 20 33 56
Authorised by Senator Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Darwin