Country Needs People launches petition to get Aboriginal ranger grants program extension

The Territory government’s Aboriginal ranger grant program has proved highly successful but ends soon, leading a not-for-profit to launch a petition.

Tiwi Ranger Stanley Tipungwuti undertaking aerial fire management to protect biodiversity, reduce wildfire risk on the Tiwi Islands. Photographer Annette Ruzicka. Courtesy Country Needs People

A government grant program hanging in limbo has spawned a petition in a bid to ensure its post-election survival as the Labor government said support for the program had never been stronger.

On May 16, Country for People launched a petition to pressure politicians into keeping the NT government’s Aboriginal Ranger Grants program post election.

Minister for Parks and Rangers Selena Uibo said support for Aboriginal rangers had never been stronger and “there is no intention to stop funding” for the program.

“We have been funding Aboriginal ranger grants every year since 2016. The $2.3 million in Budget 2024 completes the current multi-year agreement,” she said.

“Our agreement with INPEX to fund an extra category of Aboriginal Ranger Grants runs for 20 years, and we support the Australian Labor Government whose funding will see a doubling of rangers nationally by 2030.”

But Country for People chief executive Patrick O’Leary said there needed to be more clarity on what the minister was proposing.

Minister for Parks and Ranges Selena Uibo with the Nitmuluk National Park rangers.

“We’d certainly like to certify if what they’re saying is them committing to another four years of funding and we’d love to have more conversations with them about that,” he said.

“The Aboriginal Ranger Grants program has been highly successful in delivering benefits not only to traditional owners right across the Territory, but in helping them manage fire, control feral animals and weeds, protect threatened species, and respond to emergency situations like cyclone or flood damage, it benefits every Territorian.”

CLP Namatjira MLA Bill Yan did not directly comment on whether the party will continue the grants program but said they will work to increase resources for Aboriginal rangers.

“The CLP has committed to supporting Aboriginal rangers with training and enforcement and compliance powers to work in Territory Parks and Reserves as well as on country,” he said.

“We will work with the commonwealth government to increase the numbers of Aboriginal rangers and their resources.”