State Government backs new support for indigenous pastoralism

The State Government has committed to take action on the final report of the Review into Industry Training for Aboriginal Pastoralists. 

In releasing the final report, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the report was a culmination of 12 months’ work by the review panel, which was chaired by Central Kimberley-Pilbara MLA Tom Stephens and included representatives from Government and industry with interests in pastoralism and indigenous business.

“The report confirmed that pastoralism can act as a catalyst for economic development of Aboriginal communities in the rangelands, by allowing indigenous people to use their land to produce significant income streams and employment opportunities,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“Equally importantly, pastoral stations can be ideal incubators for skills development, by allowing young Aboriginal people to pursue training and education opportunities close to their homes.

“The report stresses the need for Aboriginal pastoral leaseholders to develop a range of land uses on their leases.

“For the next 18 months, two officers will provide a new Indigenous Pastoral Enterprise Development (IPED) service, working with indigenous pastoral leaseholders to broker changes to pastoral tenure, to increase land flexibility and to encourage the development of a range of appropriate businesses on pastoral lands held by Aboriginal interests.

“Establishing this service was the report’s key recommendation.”

The Minister said IPED, a collaboration between the Pastoral Lands Board in the Department for Planning and Infrastructure and the Aboriginal Economic Development Division in the Department of Industry and Resources, would commence operations immediately .

Mr Stephens said the review had heard from pastoralists, representative bodies and other individuals or organisations with an interest in Aboriginal pastoralism.

"The IPED proposal is exciting and innovative, because it will make it possible for Aboriginal communities to take advantage of existing training and support services in order to realise the full potential of Aboriginal-held pastoral land,” he said.

“This will require more flexible land tenure conditions, as well as removing barriers that have prevented some Aboriginal communities to benefit from existing support services.

 “It will enable Aboriginal pastoral stations to make a major contribution to the future of their communities and to Western Australia’s pastoral sector.”

Ms MacTiernan said IPED would be led by Mr Karel Eringa, a specialist in economic development, with support from an officer with land tenure expertise.

The final report of the Review into Industry Training for Aboriginal Pastoralists is available on line at http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/RITAP   or by calling the Pastoral Lands Board on 08 9347 5126.