Prime Minister’s veto threatens Queensland’s endangered species

Queensland Conservation Council strongly condemns the decision by the Prime Minister not to proceed with Nature Positive legislation before the senate, in spite of reported agreement between the Greens in the Senate and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Dave Copeman, QCC Director, said

It is extremely discouraging to see the Albanese Government walk back its election commitment to strengthen nature protection laws. Queensland will bear the brunt of this decision.

We face a worsening extinction crisis that is driven by the destruction of habitat. Koalas, spotted-tailed quolls, regent honeyeaters, greater gliders, and more than 1000 other species in Queensland are at risk of extinction, and we have to protect their homes if we are to give them a chance to survive.

There are loopholes in our current nature laws that you can literally drive a D9 bulldozer through, with 323,676 hectares of forest cleared in Queensland in our most recent reported period, overwhelmingly for pasture.

We need an independent EPA to enforce national nature laws, and hold lawbreakers accountable.

Right now, coal mining company Vitrinite has cleared koala habitat without authorisation, while it’s still applying for Federal approval. And yet its mining companies like Vitrinite are the ones that Mr Albanese reportedly listened to as he decided to kill his Government’s own bill.

Giving in to pressure from multinational mining companies is just weak, and we need a strong Government that is prepared to keep its word to end extinctions.

The negotiations over passage of this legislation through the Senate have taken a long time, and there has been both political positioning and legitimate debates on both sides.

If it’s correct that there has been an agreement reached between the Greens and Minister Plibersek, there is absolutely no excuse to give up now.

Queenslanders expect the Albanese Government to strengthen nature protection laws, and keep their election commitments.

We are calling on the Prime Minister to reconsider, and the Senate to pass the agreed legislation, and commit to work together to deliver the whole of the Nature Positive legislative reform.

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