Along with this funding it is critical Australia has a national legal framework that can deal with the growing threats from a rapidly warming world.
In response to Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s announcement of , the Australian Conservation Foundation’s James Trezise said:
“The summer bushfires have had a devastating impact on our wildlife and we are likely to see more species listed as nationally threatened.
“ACF welcomes this announcement by Minister Ley, which represents a sizable investment in ecosystem and wildlife recovery.
“The funding will help with habitat restoration, erosion control, weed and pest management, and should assist species such as the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, the Northern Corrobboree Frog, koalas and more.
“The expert recovery panel has highlighted the need to protect unburnt habitat areas, yet some of these areas are already being opened up for logging, which is heavily subsidised, including with new money announced this week.
“The review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, led by Graeme Samuel, presents an important opportunity for the Morrison Government to build a stronger legal framework with emergency protection for critical habitats to better protect remaining unburnt areas.
“The truth is Australia’s laws are not adequately protecting native species and their homes.
“In the 20 years Australia has had a national environment law, an area of threatened species habitat larger than Tasmania has been logged, bulldozed and cleared.
“Along with this funding it is critical Australia has a national legal framework that can deal with the growing threats from a rapidly warming world.
“We encourage the Government to boost investment in habitat restoration activities further as a key measure to stimulate the economy in response to Covid-19.”
