TheTerritory Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to give AboriginalRangers more power to manage and protect their land with amendments to the TerritoryParks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 passing in Parliament today.
Theamendments enable Aboriginal Rangers to become conservation officers by law,giving them more powers to manage their traditional lands, including againstillegal activity and other threats.
Theamendments follow extensive consultation with Ranger groups across theTerritory, as well as Land Councils and other key stakeholder groups, and are afirst in Australia.
Around1000 Aboriginal Rangers operate across 46 established Aboriginal Ranger groups,protecting 460,000 square kilometres of land, undertaking invaluable work.
Theamendments are also in line with the Territory Labor Government’s commitment to LocalDecision Making, returning decision-making and governance to localcommunities.
Agovernance framework will be established to support the new provisions, with work already underway,ensuring Aboriginal Rangers are able to access the training and capabilitydevelopment they need to take on the new powers.
As noted byMinister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
We made an electionpromise to recognise the important role of Aboriginal Ranger groups in theTerritory and today we have delivered on that promise.
AboriginalRangers will be recognised as conservation officers under law, giving themmore powers to better manage and protect their traditional lands.
These new lawsmean they will be better supported to carry out those responsibilities, includinghaving more powers to manage against illegal activity on their lands.
Theseamendments are the result of extensive consultation and will also open up moredevelopment, training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal Rangers oncountry.
