National Forum

Steve Szabo

Steve Szabo is the Director of the Indigenous Policy and Coordination Section in the Parks Australia Division of the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage.

Steve joined the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1986 as a Training Officer after ten years teaching with the WA Education Department. He developed and implemented Aboriginal Ranger Training Programs in remote areas of Western Australia including the Pilbara, Kimberley and Central Ranges. He has 20 years experience working with Indigenous people and issues at a local, regional and national level and 8 years experience in Commonwealth environment policy development and program administration.

His current responsibilities include Administration of the Indigenous Protected Areas Program which seeks to involve Indigenous lands and land managers to enhance the National Reserve System. Steve played a central role in developing this program from the conceptual stage through to being funded Commonwealth Program with projects in all Australian states and territories.

He also manages a national network of Indigenous land management facilitators based in across regional Australia.

His section in Parks Australia provides policy advice to the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage and the department. He convenes and provides secretariat support for a national Indigenous Advisory Committee established under new Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Steve formerly worked in primary, secondary and adult education, specialising in Aboriginal education, training positions in national parks and community organisations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.