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

I thank the senator for the question. The Working on Country Indigenous ranger program was a coalition government initiative commenced in 2007, and I would like to acknowledge the fact, and thank those opposite for continuing this good program during their term of government. Through the Indigenous ranger program, this government is delivering on the commitment to provide meaningful employment and training opportunities to Indigenous people that reflect the Indigenous aspirations and values of caring for land and sea. Their work is instrumental in protecting and conserving threatened species, marine ecosystems and cultural places, and is also primary in addressing environmental threats. That is why this government has brought the Working on Country program into the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. We have prioritised this program, as it is much more than an environmental program—it is an employment program that will deliver training and jobs for Aboriginal and Islander people and build longer-term employment outcomes in these communities.

Under this government, there are 764 Indigenous rangers employed in 105 ranger teams across the country. This well exceeds our commitment to have over 730 rangers trained and employed by June 2015. The expansion of Working on Country in the Northern Territory was a targeted initiative under the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory jobs creation package to deliver 50 new Indigenous ranger positions by 2015-16. I am pleased to report to the parliament: this target has already been exceeded, with a current total of 53 positions.