Published: 16 May 2025

Country Needs People is shocked this week to hear that the Northern Territory Government has broken their $12M four-year election commitment to Aboriginal Rangers, and calls on Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Treasurer Bill Yan to immediately restore this money in the budget. 

[Sign our Petition Here to Stop the NT Govt's Aboriginal Ranger Cuts]

“Country Needs People and the entire ranger network are shocked by the NT Government’s broken commitment to Aboriginal Rangers” says Patrick O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People. “Cutting this funding - which has run successfully for many years - doesn’t just affect one ranger, it impacts their whole community, and it breaks a promise to every Territorian.”

“We call on Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Treasurer Bill Yan to rebuild their integrity and act now to restore this money to the budget, as they promised unconditionally before the election”, says Patrick O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People.

A very clear and unambiguous commitment was made by Treasurer Mr Bill Yan MLA to Aboriginal Rangers before the 2024 NT election: “The CLP Shadow Minister for Parks and Rangers, Bill Yan, confirmed to The Centralian Today that an elected CLP Government would match the election commitment made by Labor. 'The CLP remains committed to the Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program, and if elected, we will fully fund the program with $12 million over four years.' Mr Yan said. (Centralian Today newspaper, 15th August, 2024.) 

“Indigenous Ranger jobs are one of the most positive initiatives happening right around the Territory, and throughout most of remote Australia. Investing in people through creating local jobs is one of the huge benefits of this work”, says Patrick O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People.

“We have never at any time, with Liberal, Labor or other candidates at state or federal level, had a commitment made during an election to Indigenous Rangers, that was not then honoured by the government post-election”.

NT’s Aboriginal Rangers are an Aussie, and Territory-grown success story, protecting nature and culture for all Territorians and providing essential local jobs. Rangers are tackling invasive weeds like Gamba Grass, reducing the impact of feral animals such as pigs and cats, protecting threatened species, and managing fire in the Territory’s most beautiful and remote landscapes.  In addition, they often provide emergency assistance and clean up support during extreme weather events, whilst also positive role modelling in their communities - building skills, confidence, wellbeing and opportunity for young people. 

“The Territory’s Aboriginal Ranger Program Funding has provided a modest but critical investment in practical equipment, infrastructure and project support keeping Aboriginal Rangers working from the desert to the sea.  We hope this is an oversight or mistake by a new government. If so, it needs to be urgently rectified. If that’s done we’ll be the first to commend the Chief Minister and Treasurer. They need to act.”, says Patrick O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People.

Country Needs People is an independent, non-partisan nonprofit dedicated to growing, supporting and advocating for Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas. Alongside over 50 Indigenous partners we work Australia-wide at a state and federal level. Country Needs People do not support or oppose a vote for any party or candidate, but work in good faith with all candidates and politicians around support for Indigenous Rangers and their work.