- Cook Government and Commonwealth co-invests $690,000 to support Aboriginal landholders and producers across southern Western Australia
- Funding to build capacity of Aboriginal workforce for WA land rehabilitation and restoration
The Cook Government is helping strengthen the Aboriginal workforce across the supply chain for land restoration and rehabilitation work in the State's south.
The State Government has contributed $490,000 to the First Nations Regenerative Agribusiness Program, alongside $200,000 from the Federal Government's Future Drought Fund for Farm Business Resilience.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is working with First Nations partners to provide on-Country, place-based training and support to increase capability for landholders, land managers, farmers and producers.
To support program delivery, DPIRD is entering a two-year $250,000 partnership with Outback Academy Australia (OAA) to coordinate training and develop practical on-ground tools for farm business resilience and diversification through their Follow the Flowers initiative.
OAA is an Aboriginal-led not-for-profit entity working with First Nations farmers across Australia. Follow the Flowers provides capacity and capability building for farmers to meet national and stand-alone supply opportunities.
The program will also work with training providers and Aboriginal ranger groups over the next three years to support skills training and workforce development for Aboriginal people involved in land regeneration business activities.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Cook Government has a proven track record working with Aboriginal landholders to strengthen essential farm business skills.
"Through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Outback Academy Australia, this program will accelerate the restoration of Country while also supporting Aboriginal economic empowerment in this growing industry."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"I am proud to be part of a Government that is supporting Aboriginal landholders and producers across Western Australia.
"Agriculture is a growth industry offering a diverse range of rewarding career opportunities.
"By investing in training and prioritising land rehabilitation we can better support our agriculture industry to thrive now and into the future."
