GOVERNMENT MUST WORK WITH CROSSBENCH TO STRENGTHEN AND PASS NATURE LAW REFORMS

The federal government should work with crossbenchers to strengthen and pass its long-awaited reforms to Australia’s nature laws, said WWF-Australia.

The Senate Environment Committee today released its report on the government’s signature environmental legislation to establish a federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and a body responsible for collecting, managing and reporting on environmental data.

The Greens and independent Senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe also reiterated their willingness to work with the government to pass the legislation if it will support amendments to:

• Strengthen the integrity and independence of the new EPA.
• Address deforestation and close the loopholes that stop native forest logging and land clearing being assessed under the law.
• Integrate climate considerations into decision-making so that polluting projects are assessed for their impact.
• Ensure greater inclusion of First Nations ecological knowledge and expertise in environmental governance and decision-making.

WWF-Australia’s CEO, Dermot O’Gorman welcomed the release of the Senate committee report, specifically the recommendation that the legislation be amended to allow the government to issue National Environmental Standards.

WWF is urging the government to work with the crossbench on its proposed amendments and deliver on its promise of nature positive law reform.

“We have a once-in-a-generation chance to fix our failing nature laws. The crossbench has provided a pathway to get this done, and now it’s time for the government to step up,” said Mr O’Gorman.

“We welcome the crossbench’s support for a strong and independent EPA.

“A watered-down version of an EPA will do little to stop the loss of threatened species. Our wildlife needs a truly independent watchdog.

“We’re also pleased to see crossbenchers pushing to address deforestation and the loss of native forests and woodlands.

“We must close the loopholes that allow native forest logging to happen without any assessment under federal nature laws, knocking down the homes of koalas, greater gliders and other endangered species.

“WWF urges the government to take these constructive and nature positive amendments seriously and seize this opportunity to strengthen and pass meaningful reform to regenerate nature.

“Our wildlife and wild places cannot afford to wait a moment longer.”