An Albanese Labor Government will tackle gamba grass in the Northern Territory, creating jobs and reducing the intensity of bushfires.

Labor will commit $9.8 million over four years to contain and eradicate dangerous gamba grass infestations in the Northern Territory.

Gamba grass is one of the greatest environmental threats in the Northern Territory. It is an invasive weed which grows up to 4 metres high and fuels hotter and more intense fires, threatening the lives and homes of Territorians as well as destroying the environment.

The Northern Territory Gamba Army have proven successful, but they need to scale up their work to contain the invasive weed.

The Morrison-Joyce Government have failed on environmental protection and disaster preparation and mitigation, and have let invasive species thrive.  

Part of Labor’s $9.8 million commitment will go to scaling up the already successful work of the Northern Territory Gamba Army to remove the grass from public lands which present a high fire risk to lives, homes and infrastructure.

This commitment will also help keep gamba grass out of out of Kakadu national park as part of federal Labor’s ongoing commitment to the future of protecting of Kakadu and protecting it from the threats of invasive species.

This funding will create jobs in the Northern Territory, creating around 30 positions and drawing on other Indigenous Rangers and also Ranger groups. It will reduce the impact of bushfires, and protect the cultural and environmental heritage of the Northern Territory.

Only an Albanese Labor Government will tackle gamba grass and deliver a better future for Territorians.