mischief /ˈmɪstʃɪf/, noun: 1. The Collective term for a group of rats.
Canberra, ACT – Wednesday 14 August 2024
Last week, the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) unveiled a trio of rather unusual characters in the heart of Canberra: Prudence, Tony, and Stuart – collectively known as 'The Mischief'. These rat-attire-clad individuals took their 'lunch break' alongside AKF Chair, Deborah Tabart OAM, in a light-hearted yet pointed commentary on the bureaucratic and political roadblocks that threaten the survival of Koalas and the recovery process.
These mischievous characters are, in fact, satirical representations of some of the individuals the AKF has encountered over its 36-year history. They epitomise the bureaucratic maze and political rhetoric that stands in the way of urgent legislative action needed to save the Koala.
Deborah Tabart OAM, AKF Chair, said across her 36-year career working to save the Koala, her biggest obstacle has always been the likes of Prudence, Tony and Stuart and many others.
"The Mischief are the masters of smoke and mirrors. They hide behind standard responses, lengthy letters and carefully curated press releases that say nothing at all. They attempt to use big words, powerful signatures and official insignias to disguise their total inaction and glacial pace," Ms Tabart said. The Koala was listed as Vulnerable in 2012 by Minister Burke and then Minister Ley in 2022 as Endangered. A Koala Recovery Plan should have been written 12 years ago and successive governments have failed the Koala in every way.
"The Mischief Members are the single biggest roadblocks to saving the Koala, so I thought it was about time I introduced them to the people of Australia. These three characters are the first of many we have set to unveil. Members of the Mischief come from many fields of endeavour, and are all based on real life individuals I have met in the bush and in the seats of power," Tabart said, with a glint in her eye. This cheeky stunt was a prelude to the 'Koala Army's March for Creatures Great and Small' which will take place on Sunday 1st September through the streets of Canberra. The event will be a glorious celebration of all wildlife, with a strong call to our political leaders – our Koalas, and all animals living within their habitat, must be protected. All Australians are invited to join the March, dressing as their favourite animal.
"The Koala and its habitat will not be saved without urgent legislative action – but, The Mischief Members stand in the way of that happening. The Koala will only have a chance of survival when good science and mapping is adopted. Political interests have to be put aside and powerful lobby groups need to be silenced.
"I've tried many different approaches in my career. I've sent letters to 15 Environment Ministers. I've rattled cages and now I am going to mock the process. Today, I'm having lunch with some rodents; out in the open, instead of them hiding behind closed doors, nibbling away at democracy. I'm doing whatever it takes to shine a spotlight on the plight of the Koala and AKF's mission to have a Koala Protection Act enacted."
