Australia is a world leader in extinctions, deforestation and habitat loss. All permitted under broken federal environment laws that State of the Environment Report author Professor Graeme Samuel described as so bad they “need to be torn up and thrown into the bonfire.”
At a Roundtable on Environmental Law Reform in Canberra today, hosted by ACT Independent Senator David Pocock, nearly 20 experts and NGOs discussed how the Albanese Government can deliver on its promise of a once-in-a-generation overhaul of these failed laws.
“Our federal environment laws should protect what we love, but instead they’ve allowed ongoing destruction” Senator Pocock said. “The result is that national icons like the Great Barrier Reef, the Koala and the Greater Glider are under serious threat, as well as dozens of iconic species found nowhere else on earth. That’s unacceptable and Australians want to see real change.”
Senator Pocock said the Government’s long-promised reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) represents a critical opportunity to halt and reverse the decline.
“Australians care deeply about nature. We want to see the places and species we love protected, not lost on our watch,” Senator Pocock said. “This is the Government’s chance to deliver for this incredible continent, for all of us, for our children and for future generations. It’s an opportunity to strengthen our laws so they actually safeguard our natural heritage.”
The Roundtable brought together environmental law experts, conservation groups and community voices to discuss how reforms must move beyond carve-outs and loopholes to instead provide clear, enforceable protections for threatened species and ecosystems. Key to successful reforms are ending deforestation, consideration of climate impacts and bringing integrity to federal environmental laws.
Senator Pocock said there is overwhelming community expectation that the Government will deliver strong, effective laws.
“I will continue to work with the ACT community and with organisations across Australia to reflect the strong desire for laws that actually protect nature. The Government has support in the parliament for bold reforms that will actually protect nature and must seize this opportunity to get it right.”