❓ Mrs. Clarke asks about the Cook Labor government's Aboriginal ranger program's positive outcomes and development of Aboriginal organisations. The Minister highlights the program's success in job creation, environmental benefits, and community empowerment, citing significant investment and positive social, economic, cultural, and environmental value.
AnsweredQoN 510Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL RANGER PROGRAM
The SPEAKER : Just before I give
the member for Murray–Wellington the call, I would like to welcome baby
William Scaife on his first visit to question time.
[Applause.]
510. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to create employment
and training opportunities for Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government's Aboriginal ranger
program is delivering positive outcomes in communities across the state?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this program is helping to develop Aboriginal
organisations to manage country and protect the state's vast
environment?
The SPEAKER : Just before I give
the member for Murray–Wellington the call, I would like to welcome baby
William Scaife on his first visit to question time.
[Applause.]
510. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to create employment
and training opportunities for Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government's Aboriginal ranger
program is delivering positive outcomes in communities across the state?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this program is helping to develop Aboriginal
organisations to manage country and protect the state's vast
environment?
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would
also like to acknowledge and greet the arrival of baby Bill! Is it baby Bill?
Well done! I thank the member for
the question. It is a very important question because often I think some of the
things that governments achieve over time get overlooked. This is a significant
legacy that began under our former Premier and has been continued under our new
Premier. The delivery of the WA Aboriginal ranger program is significant. It is
a proud legacy of this government, and is changing lives and communities.
(1)–(2) It is delivering better outcomes for our
environment and creating jobs, training and community development opportunities, with the ultimate goal of empowering Aboriginal people in
communities across the state. We are actually doing real, tangible things that
make a difference to Western Australian lives and benefit Aboriginal people,
giving them new opportunities.
Since 2017, the program has funded 32
different ranger groups, underpinned by an investment from this government of
$83 million—a significant amount. Last week, I announced the opening
application for round seven of the program,
which is making $13 million available under a new grant stream of the program known as the development fund. It is about targeting groups with aspirations to
start a ranger program or that are in the early stages of operating one. Round
seven grants include grants of up to $150 000 for planning and development and
larger grants of more than $150 000 for ranger operations. I encourage Aboriginal organisations throughout the state to
apply for funding to help new and emerging groups continue to make our
community stronger.
The
success of the Aboriginal ranger program is overwhelming. Since its
establishment, over 650 on-country jobs have been created, of which
nearly half are held by women! The groups funded through the program are
building knowledge and skills in conservation and land management, Aboriginal
site management and tourism on country.
A
2022 evaluation into the social outcomes of the program found that the program
had resulted in increases in self-confidence, pride, gender equality and
improved mental and physical health. The return on this investment is far
larger than the money we are putting into it. Indeed, research shows that for
every dollar invested, the Aboriginal ranger program creates approximately $3 million
worth of—sorry, it probably could be $3 million, Madam Speaker! I will
be a bit more realistic. The research showed that for every dollar spent, $3 worth of social, economic,
cultural and environmental value was created. This is a critically important program. It is delivering jobs and opportunities
to people who often do not get those opportunities . It is changing
lives. I thank the member very much for the question.
also like to acknowledge and greet the arrival of baby Bill! Is it baby Bill?
Well done! I thank the member for
the question. It is a very important question because often I think some of the
things that governments achieve over time get overlooked. This is a significant
legacy that began under our former Premier and has been continued under our new
Premier. The delivery of the WA Aboriginal ranger program is significant. It is
a proud legacy of this government, and is changing lives and communities.
(1)–(2) It is delivering better outcomes for our
environment and creating jobs, training and community development opportunities, with the ultimate goal of empowering Aboriginal people in
communities across the state. We are actually doing real, tangible things that
make a difference to Western Australian lives and benefit Aboriginal people,
giving them new opportunities.
Since 2017, the program has funded 32
different ranger groups, underpinned by an investment from this government of
$83 million—a significant amount. Last week, I announced the opening
application for round seven of the program,
which is making $13 million available under a new grant stream of the program known as the development fund. It is about targeting groups with aspirations to
start a ranger program or that are in the early stages of operating one. Round
seven grants include grants of up to $150 000 for planning and development and
larger grants of more than $150 000 for ranger operations. I encourage Aboriginal organisations throughout the state to
apply for funding to help new and emerging groups continue to make our
community stronger.
The
success of the Aboriginal ranger program is overwhelming. Since its
establishment, over 650 on-country jobs have been created, of which
nearly half are held by women! The groups funded through the program are
building knowledge and skills in conservation and land management, Aboriginal
site management and tourism on country.
A
2022 evaluation into the social outcomes of the program found that the program
had resulted in increases in self-confidence, pride, gender equality and
improved mental and physical health. The return on this investment is far
larger than the money we are putting into it. Indeed, research shows that for
every dollar invested, the Aboriginal ranger program creates approximately $3 million
worth of—sorry, it probably could be $3 million, Madam Speaker! I will
be a bit more realistic. The research showed that for every dollar spent, $3 worth of social, economic,
cultural and environmental value was created. This is a critically important program. It is delivering jobs and opportunities
to people who often do not get those opportunities . It is changing
lives. I thank the member very much for the question.
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