www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Additional Indigenous rangers in Northern Territory supplied by Sen. Scullion’s office 6 March 2014
T
he Australian Government is investing up to $4 million over two years to provide an additional 16 Indigenous ranger positions in the Northern Territory under an expanded Working on Country programme. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, today invited Northern Territory ranger groups to apply for funding for the positions that will help to protect and conserve the environment and strengthen land and sea management. New and existing groups can apply for funding. “Indigenous rangers play a vital role in managing Australia’s land and sea country. Their work is instrumental in protecting and conserving Australia’s environment and heritage assets, and brings with it strong social benefits through employment and economic opportunity for Indigenous people in remote communities,” Minister Scullion said. “The Government is providing $4 million over two years to fund the additional 16 positions at ranger organisations operating in the Northern Territory. “This recruitment round will bring the total number of Indigenous ranger positions in the Northern Territory under Working
on Country to around 320 across at least 35 ranger groups. Working on Country is well on track to meet its target of 730 Indigenous ranger positions across Australia by June 2015.” The Working on Country Indigenous Ranger Programme operates in close partnership with the Indigenous Protected Areas Programme. Both initiatives deliver important environmental outcomes and are highly valued by Indigenous communities as a means of reducing Indigenous disadvantage. “Working on Country delivers
ranger jobs, and so supports the Australian Government’s objective to improve employment outcomes for Indigenous people. It also contributes to improved education and community health outcomes,” Minister Scullion said. “Engagement with country is a pathway to health, strength and cohesion among Indigenous communities.” Applications close on Friday, 11 April 2014 at 4.30pm CST time. Further information on the Working on Country programme is available at: www.indigenous.gov.au/article/ grants-funding/
National NAIDOC Poster Competition and nominations for the National NAIDOC Awards are now open. Forms are available online at www.naidoc.org.au or at your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre. Poster competition entries close Friday 28 March. Award nominations close Wednesday 23 April.
Page 1