- Strong support among WA voters for robust nature protection laws
- Nature needs a strong, independent, national environmental regulator
- Pathway for Nature Positive Bills through crossbench negotiation
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) urges the Albanese government to heed public sentiment following the strong support shown by WA voters in a new poll today.
AMCS recommends the government modify its Nature Positive Bills to establish a strong, independent national environmental regulator as part of urgently needed national nature law reforms.
Research commissioned and published today by independent ACT Senator David Pocock and conducted by Redbridge shows strong concern among Western Australian voters about environmental protection and climate change. This comes as some WA-based corporate resource interests have vigorously opposed urgently needed improvements to federal nature laws.
Key findings from the polling indicate that a significant majority (78%) of respondents support stronger national environmental protections, including laws that assess the climate impact of new projects (79%).
AMCS WA Director Paul Gamblin said: "The clock is ticking for crucial nature protections to pass federal parliament. Western Australians want to see genuine negotiation now to protect our unique natural places and wildlife.
"This new polling confirms what we know, which is that Western Australians love WA's nature and want stronger nature laws. We're proud of places like Ningaloo-Exmouth Gulf, Shark Bay and the Margaret River region but we know WA's nature is under considerable pressure and needs better protection.
"This new polling should give WA federal members of parliament even more confidence to do what's right and actively support the passage of better nature laws in the upcoming senate sitting week.
"The broad Western Australian community expects our members of parliament to step up and actively support these sensible, improved nature laws, not weaken them at the behest of some narrow interests. This is about the greater good and representing the community's wishes and interests."
To meet the government's zero extinction commitment and build public trust and integrity into Australia's national nature laws, the Albanese government needs to agree to essential improvements to the legislation tabled by the crossbench.
AMCS Threatened Species Campaigns Manager, Alexia Wellbelove said: "Senator Pocock and the crossbench have offered a clear pathway for the Nature Positive Bills in the Senate and we urge the Government to negotiate with the crossbench on this important legislation. Our oceans and wildlife cannot afford to wait."
