UPDATE: With just days left until Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marks his first 100 days in office, the pressure is mounting for urgent action on nature laws in Australia. As the government faces criticism for its recent approval of the Northwest Shelf gas hub extension, advocates stress that this is not what Australians expect or deserve.
Australians are calling for stronger protections for their unique wildlife and natural landscapes. Recent surveys reveal that 70% of the population believes the federal government must do more to protect nature. The call for reform is echoed by 86% of citizens who support the implementation of stronger federal nature laws, while an alarming 96% fear further extinctions without immediate action.
In a critical moment for the Albanese government, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) has been in place for 25 years, yet it has failed to prevent broad-scale deforestation and wildlife decline. Many species are now at even greater risk, highlighting the pressing need for stronger environmental protections, especially as the clock ticks on significant habitat loss. Since the current laws were enacted, an astonishing 7.7 million hectares of threatened species habitat have been destroyed—an area larger than Tasmania.
The independent review of the EPBC Act by Graeme Samuel has laid out a clear path forward. It recommends binding National Environmental Standards and the establishment of an independent regulator to enforce these regulations effectively. This would not only provide much-needed accountability but also ensure that timely decisions are made based on up-to-date environmental data.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: Recent developments have shown increasing urgency. In the past year alone, the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo have experienced severe bleaching events, while marine life in South Australia is dying due to climate-induced ocean heatwaves. The koala has been declared endangered in New South Wales, underscoring the need for immediate protective measures.
Despite these alarming trends, the Albanese government has the opportunity to turn the tide. With a strong parliamentary majority and a fresh mandate, officials are urged to pass the full Nature Laws package. Doing so would signal to communities that Australia’s unique ecosystems are not negotiable and offer businesses the certainty they need to operate sustainably.
Advocacy groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, and WWF-Australia, represent millions of Australians eager for enforceable nature laws. Together, they emphasize that decisive reform is not only necessary but also economically viable. Well-defined standards can streamline project approvals, reduce duplication, and protect fragile ecosystems.
The window for action is still open, but it won’t last long. Every month of delay costs more habitat, stalls critical projects, and holds back investments. Passing these laws now could unlock new opportunities for conservation while ensuring a regenerative economy.
In conclusion, the public is watching closely as the Prime Minister reaches this pivotal milestone. The choice is clear: seize the opportunity to protect Australia’s irreplaceable natural heritage or risk inheriting a legacy of inaction and rising extinctions. The time to act is NOW. Let this first 100 days be a testament to progress, not pause.
