Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bushby for the question and his longstanding interest in the outcomes for our First Australians. We are very proud of investment in Indigenous rangers. Our Indigenous Rangers Program not only provides really good work for our First Australians but also allows them to do what they have always been doing, which is looking after both their land and sea country. I am pleased to update the Senate that now more than 2,500 of our First Australians are employed as Indigenous rangers as a consequence of our investment of now more than $500 million to 2020, and that includes the Indigenous Protected Areas Program.

We have been a strong supporter of Indigenous rangers since 2007, when the coalition introduced the Indigenous Rangers Program. They have enjoyed record levels of funding since we entered government in 2013. Funding for Indigenous rangers is now at $70 million. This is a program that is committed to by all in this place. It is terrific that everyone in this place supports it. I would like to acknowledge the commitment from not only the other side but the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team and the other members of the crossbench. Indigenous rangers are just like police and health workers. They are part of the environment forever. There is always a little scuttlebutt that suddenly we are going to cancel the funding. This is an important part of our essential frontline services. I would like to also indicate that we have committed $15 million for the new IPAs.

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate each and every ranger right across Australia who are doing a wonderful job of looking after our environment and their land and country.