The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

our report card on the government's handling of Australia's extinction crisis

  • Written by Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University
our report card on the government's handling of Australia's extinction crisis

Australia is losing[1] more biodiversity than any other developed nation. Already this year the charismatic and once abundant gang gang cockatoo has been added to our national threatened species list, the koala has been listed as endangered and the Great Barrier Reef suffered another mass bleaching event.

The Australian public consistently rates the loss of our unique plants and animals as a key concern[2]. Indeed, in a recent poll[3] of 10,000 readers of The Conversation, “the environment” was identified as the second-biggest issue affecting their lives, behind climate change at number one.

The Coalition has been in government since 2013. So what has it done about the biodiversity crisis? Unfortunately, the state of Australia’s plants, animals and ecological communities suggests the answer is - not nearly enough.

In fact, as the extinction crisis has escalated, protection and recovery for threatened species has declined. Poor decisions are contributing to the problem, rather than solving it.

The sorry state of Australia’s biodiversity

Australia has formally acknowledged the extinction of 104 native species since European colonisation, but the true number is likely much higher[4].

Threatened bird, mammal and plant populations have, on average, halved or worse since 1985[5]. Species recently thought to be safe – such as the bogong moth, gang gang cockatoos[6], and even the iconic koala – are being added to the global and national threatened species lists following drought, catastrophic fires and habitat destruction.

The federal government listed the koala as an endangered species in February this year. Shutterstock

Today, 19 ecosystems[7] show clear signs of collapse. This includes the Great Barrier Reef, savannas, mangroves, tropical rainforests, and tall mountain ash forests. These losses have profound ramifications for clean air and water, productive agriculture, pollination, and well-being.

Biodiversity is a crucial part of Australia’s national identity and Aboriginal culture. It delivers billions of dollars in tourism revenue and underpins most sectors of our economy[8].

It’s important for our health, too. COVID lockdowns recently brought the critical role of nature to our well-being into sharp focus, with thriving biodiversity shown to[9] deliver avoided costs to the healthcare system.

Read more: 'Existential threat to our survival': see the 19 Australian ecosystems already collapsing[10]

Ignoring key recommendations

A 2018 Senate inquiry into the extinction crisis[11] of Australian animals (fauna) concluded that native fauna was declining. It found biodiversity protection was under-resourced and failing, and Australia urgently needs an independent environmental regulator.

In 2022, the federal Auditor-General[12] reviewed the government’s implementation of Australia’s threatened species legislation, finding:

limited evidence that desired outcomes are being achieved, due to the department’s lack of monitoring, reporting and support for the implementation of conservation advice, recovery plans.

The national Threatened Species Strategy[13] focuses on 100 species and a few iconic places. But more than 1,800 species and ecosystems are threatened with extinction.

And economic analyses indicate we currently spend about around 7% of the targeted A$1.6 billion per year[14] required to halt species loss and recover nationally listed threatened species.

Sussan Ley Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley. AAP Image/Ethan James

These findings were reinforced in 2020 by a major independent review[15] of Australia’s environment law – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

The review by Professor Graeme Samuel made 38 recommendations, but almost none have been implemented. They include establishing an Environment Assurance Commissioner, rigorous national environmental standards and resourcing compliance and enforcement of environmental regulations.

Failure to protect what we have

Land clearing is a key threat to Australian wildlife, yet the government has not made meaningful progress to halt it.

The hectares cleared in New South Wales over the last decade have tripled[16], and a staggering 2.5 million hectares have been cleared in Queensland[17] between 2000 and 2018.

Read more: A Victorian logging company just won a controversial court appeal. Here’s what it means for forest wildlife[18]

Worryingly, more than 7.7 million hectares[19] of threatened species habitat have been cleared since the EPBC Act came into force (between 2000 and 2017), including 1 million hectares of koala habitat.

Invasive species[20] – such as cats, foxes[21], rabbits[22], deer and buffel grass[23] – continue to wreak havoc on many of our most endangered species.

Cats alone kill 1.7 billion native animals each year and threaten at least 120 species with extinction. While feral predator control has received some focus[24], the effort still falls well short of what’s required.

Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND[25] Lack of transparency and accountability Official[26] reviews[27] have consistently found the federal government’s approach to protecting biodiversity lacks transparency and accountability. Questions have also been raised about the federal government’s delay[28] in releasing its five-yearly State of the Environment Report ahead of the election. And investigations have raised serious concerns about how the government handled decisions regarding grasslands illegally destroyed[29] by a company part-owned by a government minister. long-nosed potoroo The long-nosed potoroo is extremely vulnerable to cats and foxes. Shutterstock A key advisor to the government recently labelled a major scheme to promote forest restoration as carbon credits as environmental and taxpayer “fraud[30]”. A federal integrity commission[31], if it existed, could have explored these cases. The government also continues to back activities that cause damage to biodiversity, including the fossil fuel[32] and forestry[33] industries. Read more: The Morrison government wants farmers to profit from looking after the land – but will anyone want to pay?[34] On agriculture, the government is pursuing a “biodiversity stewardship[35]” policy, to financially reward farmers for protecting wildlife. But ongoing approval of unsustainable land management practices, particularly land clearing (of which agriculture[36] is responsible for the lion’s share) will likely overshadow any stewardship gains. The 26 Australian frogs at greatest risk of extinction | Threatened Species Recovery Hub.So what’s needed to prevent future extinctions? Labor has not yet revealed its full suite of environment policies. This week it told[37] Guardian Australia it will release more details before the election, and has called on the government to release the State of the Environment report. So what policies are needed to reverse the biodiversity crisis? The answer is: spend more and destroy less. Just two days of Coalition election promises (estimated at $833 million per day[38]) would fund recovery[39] for Australia’s entire list of threatened species for a year. Read more: 5 big ideas: how Australia can tackle climate change while restoring nature, culture and communities[40] Systems for protecting biodiversity need stronger legal mandates and less discretion[41] for ministers to override decisions about project approvals, species listing and other matters. Biodiversity should be integrated into key aspects of government practice. For example, it makes no sense to invest[42] in protecting koalas while simultaneously approving koala habitat clearing[43]. And we need investment in every threatened species, not just a hand-picked few[44]. bleached coral The Great Barrier Reef this year suffered the fourth mass bleaching event since 2016. Shutterstock Finally, transformative policies are needed to support the substantial opportunities to enhance and restore biodiversity. This includes: The fate of nature underpins our economy and health. Yet in the election campaign to date, there’s been a deafening silence about it. References^ losing (www.nature.com)^ key concern (www.canberratimes.com.au)^ recent poll (theconversation.com)^ true number is likely much higher (www.theguardian.com)^ halved or worse since 1985 (tsx.org.au)^ gang gang cockatoos (www.theguardian.com)^ 19 ecosystems (theconversation.com)^ economy (www.australiasnaturehub.gov.au)^ shown to (www.sciencedirect.com)^ 'Existential threat to our survival': see the 19 Australian ecosystems already collapsing (theconversation.com)^ extinction crisis (www.aph.gov.au)^ Auditor-General (www.anao.gov.au)^ Threatened Species Strategy (www.awe.gov.au)^ A$1.6 billion per year (conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)^ major independent review (epbcactreview.environment.gov.au)^ tripled (www.theguardian.com)^ Queensland (www.abc.net.au)^ A Victorian logging company just won a controversial court appeal. Here’s what it means for forest wildlife (theconversation.com)^ 7.7 million hectares (conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)^ Invasive species (invasives.org.au)^ cats, foxes (theconversation.com)^ rabbits (theconversation.com)^ buffel grass (theconversation.com)^ some focus (theconversation.com)^ CC BY-ND (creativecommons.org)^ Official (epbcactreview.environment.gov.au)^ reviews (www.anao.gov.au)^ delay (www.theguardian.com)^ grasslands illegally destroyed (www.theguardian.com)^ fraud (www.smh.com.au)^ federal integrity commission (www.aph.gov.au)^ fossil fuel (theconversation.com)^ forestry (www.smh.com.au)^ The Morrison government wants farmers to profit from looking after the land – but will anyone want to pay? (theconversation.com)^ biodiversity stewardship (theconversation.com)^ agriculture (www.abc.net.au)^ told (www.theguardian.com)^ $833 million per day (www.smh.com.au)^ fund recovery (conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)^ 5 big ideas: how Australia can tackle climate change while restoring nature, culture and communities (theconversation.com)^ discretion (epbcactreview.environment.gov.au)^ invest (www.pm.gov.au)^ approving koala habitat clearing (www.acf.org.au)^ hand-picked few (www.awe.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/fail-our-report-card-on-the-governments-handling-of-australias-extinction-crisis-181786

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping