NATURE LAW LEGISLATION IS A DANGEROUS BACKWARD STEP

Australia’s nature laws are broken.

They are allowing the destruction of our forests and waterways and pushing iconic species towards extinction.

At the last election the Albanese Government promised to fix these laws.

Not only has the government failed to deliver on this promise, it is now trying to rush legislation through Parliament this week that would further weaken our nature laws. 

This legislation would exempt the Tasmanian salmon industry from proper environmental regulation despite the direct damage being experienced by the local community, plants and animals. 

It is an alarming backwards step and an example of the government putting the interests of harmful industries over communities and wildlife.

There has been a rapid and unprecedented expansion of Tasmanian salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour in recent years that’s contributing to the risk of extinction for the endangered Maugean skate.

However this legislation is not just about one industry and the fate of one species. 

It would set a dangerous precedent that could be applied to other destructive and polluting industries, including coal and gas expansions.

It would send a message to fossil fuel companies that the Australian Government will not let nature laws stand in the way of their business.

This is why we need an overhaul of Australia’s nature laws and a commitment to deliver this in the first 12 months of the next Parliament.

We need laws that protect our unique wildlife and wild places, not laws that can be tinkered with when it is politically convenient. 

WWF-Australia is calling on the government to reconsider these proposed amendments.

We have long advocated for stronger nature laws to protect Australian wildlife. More than 43,000 WWF supporters have raised their voice to support these reforms.   

This is a critical moment to have your say and call on your leaders to Choose Nature. Send a message to your political leaders here.