A government agency has explained a delay in plans for a new Indigenous ranger strategy. 

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has told senate estimates that the planned Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy needs an Indigenous-led process in order to be finalised. 

The NIAA says that an Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy draft was published in April last year, aiming to create an integrated, national approach for Indigenous ranger organisations in both the private and public sectors.

Following questioning from independent senator David Pocock, the NIAA’s Deborah Fulton said the agency wants to share stakeholder feedback on the strategy later this year.

“It will not be a final strategy, because I think the feedback is that we need an Indigenous-led process to finalise the strategy, which will result in some additional process,” the group manager said.

“So what we would be hoping to be in a position to share is the compilation of feedback across a wide range of consultations.”

She said that the strategy will be finalised when a summary of the consultations is completed.

“It’s essentially something of a living process because it’s about how you grow the sector, have a more joined-up approach across commonwealth and jurisdictions and build the entrepreneurial capacity of ranger groups as well,” Ms Fulton said. 

Senator Pocock also asked how current Indigenous ranger programs are managed.

Ms Fulton says it is a combined effort across several teams.

“[A] grant management unit is set up, essentially to manage the administration of grants,” she said.

“Our NIAA colleagues in the regions have broad experience and usually have quite a lot of local knowledge and contexts and relationships with community groups in the region.

“And then our policy area in Canberra is made up of staff that many of whom do have a history and background in environmental management and ranger programs.

“So we all collaborate and work to our advantages,” Ms Fulton said.