- Intense lobbying by big corporations lets nature and Australian people down
- Lack of nature law reforms leaves Australia's coasts and oceans vulnerable to further harm amid extinction crisis
- Government must now set out how it will deliver no new extinctions on its watch and get nature law reform back on track
28 November 2025 – Raw corporate self interest has let nature and the Australian people down, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS). Australia's environment has suffered a significant setback with reports that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has blocked critical negotiations to strengthen nature laws in this final parliamentary sitting for the year.
The proposed reforms, which include the establishment of an independent regulator, Environment Protection Australia (EPA), are essential to begin to address the destruction of nature. These reforms are needed to hold violators accountable, enforce the laws and protect Australia's unique biodiversity.
"Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far failed to deliver on Labor's election promise to reform nature laws, leaving Australia vulnerable to a worsening extinction crisis. This week in parliament has demonstrated more clearly than ever how powerful corporate interests can dictate terms and undermine the broader community's interests," said AMCS CEO Darren Kindleysides.
Just as indications of a constructive negotiation between the Government and the cross-bench became known, vested corporate interests mobilised aggressively again, reportedly leading to an intervention by WA Premier, Roger Cook, and the Prime Minister's response to end negotiations, at least for now.
"All parties have agreed that Australia's current nature laws are not fit for purpose. New nature laws could provide more certainty for business, and real outcomes for nature, yet any attempt to reform them have been repeatedly rejected and derailed by vested interests.
"The government's failure to deliver the promised Environment Protection Australia so far this term will be felt by our oceans and our precious wildlife.
"The public has demonstrated they support stronger laws to protect nature and expects the government to have a plan to pass meaningful reforms when Parliament next sits. The government must now set out how it will ensure there are no new extinctions under its watch. Nature needs us to be strong, and it's time for our leaders to rise to the challenge."
