The Albanese government has just caved in to pressure from mining executives. As a result, the long-promised reformed nature laws and national independent environment watchdog will not be legislated this term of government. It’s a bitterly disappointing back down where our wildlife, natural environment and communities stand to lose most.
A Decision with Real Consequence for Nature
Australia has one of the worst deforestation rates in the world. We are in the middle of an extinction crisis, with iconic species like the koala pushed to the brink of local extinction in Queensland and New South Wales.
Labor’s positive plan was supposed to address this accelerating environmental decline. It was meant to provide better protection for wildlife and forests and include an independent environment watchdog with real power to hold corporations accountable for environmental destruction.
This was based on years of discussion, consultation and an independent review conducted way back in 2020 that uncovered how broken our national system of environmental protection really is.
Yet instead of following through on these desperately needed nature law reforms, the government has walked away, at least for this term.
This decision follows heavy lobbying from fossil fuel and mining corporations as well as political pressure from Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook who faces his own re-election in March this year.
A Compromise Deal Ignored
The government needed the votes of a combination of the Greens and independent Senators to get its proposed legislation through parliament. The legislation had already passed the lower house last year and negotiations had apparently led to a compromise deal.
But this was quashed following a concerted campaign from mining and fossil fuel interests, particularly in Western Australia.
A last ditch attempt to get this critical deal done in early February was made over the past week in the hope these reforms could finally be legislated just before the next election. But once again vested interests stood in the way and the reforms have been dumped for this term of government.
The government is now heading into an election without delivering on this critical promise.
“Rather than standing up for nature and wildlife, Prime Minister Albanese and WA Premier Roger Cook have caved to big fossil fuel and mining executives railing against environmental protection in the interest of profits. The outcome will be devastating — more forest and habitat destruction, more wildlife killed, and a diminished natural environment for all Australians.”
– Glenn Walker, Head of Nature at Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Australians Want Real Environmental Protections
Australians care deeply about nature. We love our beaches, forests, and unique wildlife. We don’t want to see koalas driven to extinction or ancient forests bulldozed for logging or mining projects.
The government cannot afford to ignore the public’s demand for real action on nature protection.
A recent poll showed that 75% of Australians support strengthening national environmental law to protect nature, with just 4% opposing and the rest undecided.
As we head rapidly towards another federal election, it’s time all political parties acted on the strong public support and demand for nature laws that work.
What You Can Do
Together, we won’t let fossil fuel and mining companies dictate Australia’s nature laws.
We’re demanding that all parties make these critical nature law reforms a priority in the first 100 days of parliament.
Here’s how you can take action:
- Add your name to our petition calling on the Albanese government to implement strong nature protection laws that will end Australia’s deforestation crisis
- Contact your local MP and demand they stand up for nature, not corporate polluters.
