The significant contributions of Australia’s Indigenous Rangers have been celebrated on World Ranger Day which fell last week (31 July).
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the expert knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rangers about Country played a critical role in Australia’s national biosecurity system.
“Northern Australia poses a high-risk pathway for exotic pests and diseases that threaten our agriculture, our export markets and our environment,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Australia’s First Nation peoples, including Indigenous Ranger groups have made important contributions to the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy initiative since its inception in 1989,” he said.
“The Rangers help provide early surveillance and detection of emerging biosecurity threats across the north that protects the nation’s $66 billion agricultural industries and our communities.”
Mr Littleproud said Indigenous Rangers undertook aquatic, animal and plant health surveillance; insect trapping; plant host mapping; and community-based biosecurity engagement and awareness.
The Minister said over $7 million had been allocated this year to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in biosecurity activities and capability building initiatives.
“We thank our Indigenous Rangers for their work to protect our status as a nation free from many of the world’s most destructive pests and diseases,” Mr Littleproud said.
