The Central Land Council condemns the Northern Territory Government’s decision to backflip on its $12 million Aboriginal Ranger Grants election promise.
“The CLP has betrayed our trust and puts jobs, cultural knowledge and land management at risk,” CLC chair Warren Williams said.
Before the 2024 election, the Country Liberal Party promised to deliver $3 million annually over four years to support Aboriginal ranger groups with critical training, equipment and infrastructure – a commitment it has now scrapped in this week’s budget.
“This is a slap in the face to the rangers who are out there managing country on the smell of an oily rag, protecting sacred sites and fighting fires in some of the most remote areas of the Territory,” he said.
“Aboriginal ranger programs benefit all Territorians – from tackling feral pests to reducing carbon emissions – and the government’s broken promise puts this work and these jobs in jeopardy.”
The CLC supports 15 ranger groups across Central Australia, employing more than 90 Aboriginal rangers. The promised funding would have supported critical training, equipment upgrades and job security.
“This broken promise hits especially hard in communities where ranger jobs are among the few opportunities for meaningful, culturally appropriate work,” Mr Williams said.
“It undermines decades of investment in local efforts to look after country.”
Mr Williams called on the government to honour its promise and reinstate the grants in full.
“Your fine words before the election about supporting the bush ring hollow when you turn your backs on one of the proven success stories in remote community development as soon as the election is over,” he said.
“Our rangers and the country they care for, deserve better. They will remember your backflip, as will voters.”