Former ranger becomes first Indigenous head of Parks Australia

Ronald (Ricky) Archer, Djungan man from the Western Tablelands region of North Queensland, has been appointed as the inaugural First Nations person to lead Parks Australia.

Archer will be taking on the role of Director of the Commonwealth agency for responsible for the protection and conservation of some of the country’s most precious natural areas, including the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks and the nation’s marine parks.

A former ranger with a long background of conservation and land and sea management, he takes up the position at a time when national parks having been impacted by falling tourism numbers, ageing infrastructure and feral animals.

In a statement, Archer said National Parks protected some of Australia’s most stunning and valuable natural and cultural assets.

He explained “I look forward to supporting and strengthening the role of Traditional Custodians in caring for their country in partnership with Parks Australia.

“We have an amazing opportunity to make a greater impact in the ways we manage our natural and cultural resources whilst supporting and strengthening the skills and expertise of our stakeholders, including Rangers, Parks Australia staff, First Nations people, community, and the conservation sector.”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was "proud to appoint the first Aboriginal director of National Parks", noting "I know he will work to build and improve relationships between First Nations peoples, management, and the community.”

Archer's appointment comes off the back of criticism of the agency’s financial management and tension between Parks Australia and the traditional owners of Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu's traditional owners have launched High Court action against the agency, over illegal construction works carried out near a sacred site near popular tourism site Gunlom Falls.

Prior to this, Kakadu's board of management had called for the sacking of a previous Director of National Parks, James Findlay, over a lack of consultation with traditional owners.

More recently, Kakadu has seen an explosion of feral animal populations, including wild pigs, buffalo and horses, which tourism operators and rangers have said have caused untold damage to the park.

Images: Ronald 'Ricky' Archer, the new Director of Parks Australia. Credit: Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.