October 2007
Leading Indigenous and environment groups expressed their strong
support for a new policy package for conservation work on
Indigenous lands announced by the ALP today in Alice Springs.
The package would provide 300 new jobs for Indigenous Rangers,
support for Indigenous Protected Areas (conservation reserves on
Indigenous lands) and further development of a ‘carbon
economy’ in Northern Australia by reducing carbon pollution
from wildfires.
‘Labor has put forward a very good package. Long term
Indigenous Ranger jobs provides benefits for all Australians.
Employing Rangers provide environmental benefits that everyone
shares, and the work provides much needed jobs and dollars for many
people living in remote communities,’ said Mr. Joe Morrison,
Executive Director of the Northern Australian Indigenous Land and
Sea Management Alliance.
‘We are
particularly pleased that Labor has reversed the plan to completely
wipe out the current Ranger positions on the Community Development
Employment Program-the work for the dole scheme that currently
supports nearly 700 existing Indigenous Ranger positions
nationally. It is vital we maintain this as a means of allowing
people to enter into new employment prospects as there is a great
need for entry support for long-term unemployed,’ said Mr.
Morrison.
‘In the long term
we will be requiring even more focus and support on land and sea
management and Indigenous Rangers. To manage the vast areas of
Australia under Indigenous ownership thousands rather than hundreds
of trained and active Rangers are needed. However, the ALP package
provides an excellent start,’ said Mr. Morrison.
‘This is a solid package which would greatly improve
environmental management in many remote areas of Australia. We need
people living on the country and managing it, to protect threatened
species, to control fires, to remove noxious weeds and feral
animals, and to detect border incursions along the coast,' said Dr.
Barry Traill, Director of the Wild Australia Program, PEW
Environment Group.
‘The support for the carbon economy work in Northern
Australia is very timely. Work by Indigenous Rangers, and support
by NAILSMA to reduce wildfires in Northern Australia reduces carbon
pollution, and can provide regular income and work through payments
from the developing market in carbon offsets,’ said Dr.
Traill.
‘We will be seeking similar levels of commitments from all
parties in the run up to the Federal election,’ finished Mr.
Morrison.
For further comment or interview:
Mr. Joe Morrison, Executive Officer NAILSMA, 0429695324,
Joe.Morrison@cdu.edu.au;
www.nailsma.org.au
Dr. Barry Traill, Director, Wild Australia Program, Pew
Environment Group, 0427261885/ 0754296622, btraill@pewtrusts.org,
www.pewtrusts.org
