As Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he is yet to be convinced on the need for a national environment protection agency, the Albanese government is being urged to deliver on its promise to overhaul Australia's ineffective nature law by negotiating with the Senate crossbench.
"The Federal Opposition has shown no interest in supporting critical reforms to Australia's nature laws," said the Australian Conservation Foundation's CEO Kelly O'Shanassy.
"This leaves the Albanese government with one choice if it wants to deliver on a key election promise - take the pathway through the Senate by negotiating with the Greens and independent crossbench.
"Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Plibersek have a golden opportunity to deliver on their promises of nature law reform and no new extinctions by negotiating with Senators.
"The government committed to overhaul Australia's ineffective nature law - now it must deliver. The willingness of Senate crossbenchers to negotiate makes this possible.
"What is on offer is a chance for the Albanese government to show it has credibility on protecting Australia's unique species and special places.
"While the mining industry flexes its political power in Canberra this week, Australia's threatened species list keeps growing because our laws are too weak to protect wildlife from habitat destruction and climate damage.
"The mining lobby ignores the fact nature underpins Australian communities, industries and jobs, and degrading nature weakens our country.
"A strong, independent regulator is critical for Australia to move beyond the status quo where vested interests influence decisions about which projects are given the go-ahead.
"Meanwhile, deforestation and logging continue to push much-loved wildlife like koalas and red-tailed black cockatoos closer to extinction.
"Climate change is having a dramatic impact on nature through increased bushfires, heatwaves, and flooding, yet Australia's nature protection law doesn't require decision-makers to consider climate change impacts.
"We urge the government to work with willing Senators on amendments to strengthen the Nature Positive bills."
