The Wire

In the far North of Queensland, an historic environmental management agreement has seen 18 Aboriginal nations join together to protect the Wet Tropics. The deal, covering 2.2 million hectares of rainforest and sea, reportedly comes with more funding for Indigenous education and employment programs. Alison Halliday is Co-Chair of the Aboriginal negotiating team which brought the signatories together, and admits the process of getting local tribes and government to agree, was challenging. Government spokespersons have been enthusiastic in their support, Parliamentary Secretary Greg Hunt describing the agreement as “a beautiful thing” that brings 20,000 Aboriginal people together in co-operative management of a World Heritage Area. Queensland Resources Minister Stephen Robertson says the significance was in respect and recognition being given to traditional owners. The deal will bring some new Indigenous jobs in environmental protection, as well as junior ranger programs with the hope of future employment prospects. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Management Agreement is unique within Australia because of the high number of tribal groups which signed on. Radio 4K1G journalist Marcus Smith, who was at the signings, says some participants had reservations about the outcome.