Better nature laws
Right now, our national environment laws are undergoing once-in-a-generation reform.
Australia has an amazing natural heritage, from the Great Barrier Reef to Uluru, right across to the Pilbura. Here in Canberra, we are home to koalas, the earless dragon, and the gang gang cockatoo. Canberrans love living in the bush capital and want to see our nature protected into the future. We should have a world class approach to protecting these natural wonders while building a strong and prosperous economy.
Instead, thanks to our inadequate nature laws, we are a world leader in clearing the bush and animal extinction. We need to do better.
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The Albanese government promised to deliver nature positive laws, but failed to meet that commitment in the 2022-25 term. This term, we call on the government to enact these key environmental reforms:
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Currently major projects are assessed for their environmental impact by the Environment Minister. The Minister is pressured by fossil fuel donations and lobbyists, and has approved dozens of fossil fuel projects in the last few years. These impact assessments and environmental approvals should be conducted by experts, independently of politicians and in line with the law.
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2. Create strong national standards for environmental approvals
Environmental impact assessments should be made against strong, evidence-based standards. National environmental standards will provide clarity and transparency to the approvals process, helping government, industry and the community to understand how decisions should be made. These standards must be high enough to actually protect nature from damaging proposals.
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3. Create a climate trigger to assess projects’ climate impact
Major projects must be assessed for their impact on the climate, not just the environment. Dozens of fossil fuel projects have been approved in the last few years, despite the devastating carbon emissions impact they will have. This major flaw in Australia’s environmental laws allows climate vandalism and must be updated in line with the evidence.
4. No new coal and gas approvals
Australia cannot approve the creation or expansion of any more coal or gas sites. All the progress made towards renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment is undone each time a new fossil fuel project is approved. We must ban the approval of further projects, let alone government subsidies for them, and instead invest in renewable energy.
5. End native forest logging
Despite our renowned native forests, Australia is shamefully the only developed nation on the global deforestation list. Forests are a major line of defence against the climate crisis, and many species are reliant on their survival. We cannot allow their destruction for the sake of corporate profits.
Fix Our Nature Laws!
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