Stronger National Nature Laws

Australia is in an extinction crisis

Climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species and other human disturbance are all contributing to the decline of Australia’s native species and natural areas. Unless we take action urgently, we will see the extinction of more species like the Swift Parrot within decades.

Luckily, we already know what works to turn things around, and what we can do to see these actions implemented across the country.

Conservation action works when well-resourced and implemented. Projects like the translocation of Western Ground Parrot and slow recovery Hooded Plover in eastern Australia show how we can start bring species back.

But the political will to protect important habitat, direct management efforts and provide funding to support communities caring for our precious bird life is critical.

Putting pressure on politicians to do the right thing for the environment

Our current national environmental laws are not strong enough to protect critical habitats or ensure threatened species can recover their populations. An independent review of the Environment Biodiversity and Conservation Act was scathing and recommended wholesale reform. To protect and restore native species and ecosystems we need new laws that deliver:

• An independent federal regulator to enforce the law
• Access to justice so the community has a legal voice in standing up for the environment
• Nature laws that truly value and incorporate the rights, knowledge, and culture of First Nations people
• A quantum leap in investment for threatened species, habitat and ecosystem recovery and threat abatement, including better monitoring, data collection and evaluation

You can help to get these nature laws passed. Contact your MP and ask them to commit to raising stronger nature laws in their party room and in parliament. Let them know you want a government that:

• Will implement stronger national environment laws that protect nature and an independent regulator to enforce them
• Is ready and willing to fund the recovery of Australia’s threatened species and the restoration of ecosystems

The Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeater is at risk of becoming extinct. Photographed by: Andrew Silcocks

Share the facts that powerful people need to know

You can use the Action plan for Australian birds and now the State of Environment report as key evidence with politicians as to why we need stronger laws. Pull one or two of these facts from when chatting with political candidates:

• Australia has one of the worst records for extinctions and land clearing in the world. The number of species that are threatened with extinction continues to grow, and the status quo is unsustainable
• The drivers of decline are largely driven by the actions of humans; the need for resources to support agriculture, extractive industries, and urban development
• 1 out of every 6 Australian birds is now threatened with extinction, totalling 216 threatened birds
• The impacts of climate change, fire, habitat destruction and feral predators are the main drivers for many birds being pushed towards extinction

Reaching out to decision-makers

As well as contacting your candidate or MP directly, there are many other ways to try and influence them to pass stronger nature laws. For example:

• Ask them for a meeting or invite them to an event, e.g., a bird walk to talk about the issues – Sharing the birds that you love will show them what’s at stake and create a social media opportunity they will be more likely to share.
• Use social media like Twitter to get the message out to candidates. For example, you could tweet something like: Hey @KristyMcBain, #Swift Parrots are endangered in Eden Monaro. Will the Albanese government implement stronger national environment laws that protect nature, and an independent regulator to enforce them?