nature law reform has potential to transform Australia’s environmental record

IFAW response to Australian government's environment reform announcement:

Sydney, 8 December 2022 – IFAW Oceania Regional Director Rebecca Keeble said:

“IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) welcomes the long-waited Australian government response to Professor Graeme Samuel’s independent review into our national environment laws (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).

The government has set an ambitious goal to end Australia’s alarming rates of extinction and biodiversity loss and we are pleased our concerns have been listened to.

It has the potential to transform Australia’s woeful environmental record into one that we can be proud of.

However, these reforms need to be put into action now and this goal must be met.

IFAW is concerned about the lack of urgency as the reforms are set to be introduced to parliament before the end of 2023. Our wildlife, people, and the places we call home cannot afford such a delay. We no longer have the luxury of waiting — the time to act is now.

In order to halt habitat destruction and wind back Australia’s extinction crisis – these standards must be developed by independent experts and be properly resourced.

Australia has experienced three years of climate change extremes and so climate change must be a key part of all environmental decision-making going forward – we cannot afford to lag on this any further.

Australia has an opportunity to change the history books and create a future where animals and people are thriving together – but only if we act boldly now.”

ENDS

Press Contact

IFAW Australia

Dominica Mack

m: 0460 432 901

e: dmack@ifaw.org

About the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) - IFAW is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org