{"id":74467,"date":"2025-02-07T21:48:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T21:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/activist\/albanese-government-stalls-on-its-big-nature-promise\/"},"modified":"2025-02-07T21:48:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T21:48:15","slug":"albanese-government-stalls-on-its-big-nature-promise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=74467","title":{"rendered":"Albanese Government Stalls On Its Big Nature Promise"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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\u2019s a bitterly disappointing back down where our wildlife, natural environment and communities stand to lose most.<\/p>\n

\"Deforestation
Koala habitat cleared in Tewantin, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. \u00a9 Paul Hilton \/ Earth Tree Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Decision with Real Consequence for Nature<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Australia<\/a> 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<\/a> of local extinction in Queensland and New South Wales.<\/p>\n

Labor\u2019s positive plan<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

This was based on years of discussion, consultation and an independent review conducted way back in 2020<\/a> that uncovered how broken our national system of environmental protection really is.<\/p>\n

Yet instead of following through on these desperately needed nature law reforms, the government has walked away, at least for this term.<\/p>\n

This decision follows heavy lobbying from fossil fuel and mining corporations as well as political pressure from Western Australia\u2019s Premier Roger Cook who faces his own re-election in March this year.<\/p>\n

\"Woodside's
Woodside\u2019s northwest shelf gas plant infrastructure in the Burrup hub region, Western Australia. \u00a9 Luke Sweet \/ Conservation Council Western Australia \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Compromise Deal Ignored<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But this was quashed following a concerted campaign from mining and fossil fuel interests, particularly in Western Australia.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The government is now heading into an election without delivering on this critical promise.<\/p>\n

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\u201cRather 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 \u2014 more forest and habitat destruction, more wildlife killed, and a diminished natural environment for all Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Glenn Walker, Head of Nature at Greenpeace Australia Pacific<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Australians Want Real Environmental Protections<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Australians care deeply about nature. We love our beaches, forests, and unique wildlife. We don\u2019t want to see koalas driven to extinction or ancient forests bulldozed for logging or mining projects.<\/p>\n

\"Koala
A koala at RSPCA Queensland hospital in Wacol. Koalas, kookaburras, possums, and other native animals continuously flow through the hospital because of habitat loss caused by deforestation. \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The government cannot afford to ignore the public\u2019s demand for real action on nature protection.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A recent poll<\/a> showed that 75% of Australians support strengthening national environmental law to protect nature, with just 4% opposing and the rest undecided.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we head rapidly towards another federal election, it\u2019s time all political parties acted on the strong public support and demand for nature laws that work.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Together, we won\u2019t let fossil fuel and mining companies dictate Australia\u2019s nature laws.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re demanding that all parties make these critical nature law reforms a priority in the first 100 days of parliament.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how you can take action:<\/p>\n