Government bill fails to protect Australian wildlife

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is concerned the national environment legislation introduced to parliament today fails to deliver the protections that Australian wildlife need.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standards and Assurance) Bill 2021 is a small step forward as it does include a framework for national environmental standards and a new standards assurance commissioner, which IFAW welcomes. But, as a whole, the Bill falls short of the recommendations made by Professor Graeme Samuel in his independent review of the EPBC Act.

IFAW Wildlife Campaigner Josey Sharrad said:

“The Bill introduced today fundamentally fails to deliver what Professor Graeme Samuel recommended in his independent review. Professor Samuel’s report was clear: if the government doesn’t act now to implement all the reforms recommended, it is accepting the extinction of our most threatened plants, animals and ecosystems.

“Without stronger standards, we’re concerned this Bill could push Australia’s unique and vulnerable wildlife, including the iconic koala, closer to extinction. Our wildlife and the places they call home cannot afford such a weak response. We need the federal government to get serious about protecting Australia’s unique wildlife and halting this extinction crisis.

“The basis of this reform should be strong, binding national standards, rigorous independent oversight and enforcement, and guaranteed rights for communities to have a say in how we protect our environment.”