2022-11-22
A report released today highlights the urgent need for Australia’s environment laws to be reformed to prevent further destruction of critical habitat, and for those laws to be enforced by an independent environment watchdog, the Greens say.
The ACF ‘Double Standard’ report shows 400,000 hectares of threatened species habitat was destroyed in Queensland in just one year for sheep and cattle grazing. None of that clearing was assessed under Australia’s national environment laws and no action taken for breaches of the law.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“This report is a damning indictment on Australia’s broken environment laws.
“It provides even greater impetus for the Environment Minister to urgently strengthen environment laws and establish a national independent watchdog to enforce them.
“In the meantime, Minister Plibersek must announce a moratorium on the clearing of critical habitat.
“Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world.
“Our iconic koala is an endangered species and on the brink of extinction in Qld, NSW and the ACT. When their homes are destroyed at this shocking rate, it is no wonder.
“Albanese’s Labor Government could today back the Greens’ bills currently before the parliament that will halt land clearing, establish an independent EPA and introduce a climate trigger that will factor in the pollution of a project.”