Tim Storer (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Dodson, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) this is the 20th year of operation of Australia's Indigenous Protected Areas network, since the first Indigenous Protected Area in Australia was designated at Nantawarrina in South Australia,

  (ii) Australia's Indigenous Protected Areas network is a world-leading model that represents almost half of all Australia's terrestrial protected areas at 68 million hectares and growing,

  (iii) the everyday work in Indigenous Protected Areas is delivered by Indigenous Rangers, an initiative primarily funded by the Federal Government,

  (iv) Indigenous Protected Areas provide crucial and necessary land and sea management, protecting against environmental threats, such as destructive wildfires, feral animals and invasive weeds,

  (v) Indigenous Protected Areas, managed by Indigenous Rangers, deliver up to three dollars for every one dollar spent, as outlined in a report commissioned by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,

  (vi) Indigenous Rangers work provides significant social and cultural benefits to local communities, and

  (vii) Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers are a contemporary expression of the unbroken and ancient connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to this land; and

(b) urges the Federal Government to acknowledge the significant cultural and environmental significance of Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas, and to commit to further expanding these valuable programmes.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Liberal-National coalition government has invested around $180 million over 10 years in Indigenous Protected Areas as part of our expanded investment in Indigenous ranger programs. These programs support more than 2,900 jobs for Indigenous Australians. It is the Liberal-National coalition government that established the Indigenous ranger program and it is the Liberal-National coalition that is delivering record investment in this important program.

Question agreed to.