UPDATE: Conservationists sound alarm bells as new government legislation threatens Australia’s iconic koalas. The Albanese government’s proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act could lead to the fast-tracking of projects that destroy vital koala habitats, raising urgent concerns among environmental groups.
Just announced, these changes propose “streamlined assessments,” allowing companies to self-report environmental impacts. Experts warn this could result in 50% of decisions being made within 30 days, potentially without any community consultation or avenues for appeal. The Lock the Gate Alliance, which includes six conservation groups, argues this could lead to the extinction of one of Australia’s best-known animals.
“Rushing these changes will have consequences that will last for generations,” stated Georgina Woods, head of investigations at Lock the Gate, in an interview with Yahoo News. The urgency of the situation escalates as the government scrambles for support to pass these reforms before Parliament adjourns on Thursday night.
The EPBC Act, which has been in place for over 25 years, mandates environmental approvals for developments that significantly harm threatened species, including koalas, greater gliders, and swift parrots. However, the Albanese government has come under fire for failing to secure necessary backing from the Greens and the Coalition in recent negotiations.
The proposed bill, consisting of 1,500 pages of reforms, aims to overhaul the outdated EPBC regulations. While there is consensus on the need for reform—given Australia’s dismal record of mammalian extinctions—critics fear that the current government’s approach will only worsen the situation.
“Streamlined assessments” could lead to hasty decisions that compromise the habitats of threatened species. The potential impact is staggering; the group Koalas Not Coal has highlighted that 24 proposed coal mining projects could clear more than 10,000 hectares of crucial koala habitats across New South Wales and Queensland.
One project under scrutiny is Glencore’s Hail Creek coal mine expansion, which could clear 600 hectares of known koala habitat. Environmental advocates speculate that Glencore may be waiting for the government reforms to pass before submitting its assessment, making the situation even more precarious.
Despite the backlash, the government is determined to push through these reforms, with Environment Minister Murray Watt at the helm. The ongoing negotiations have become increasingly critical, as the timeline to enact these changes narrows.
Environmental advocates are urging the government to seize this opportunity to enhance rather than undermine protections for Australia’s unique wildlife. “The Albanese government has a golden opportunity to strengthen national environment laws to prevent further destruction of vital habitats,” said Charlie Cox from the Queensland Conservation Council.
With the stakes higher than ever, the future of Australia’s koalas hangs in the balance. As negotiations continue, all eyes are on Parliament to see if they will act decisively to protect these beloved creatures or risk their extinction for the sake of development.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
