Statement from the Biodiversity Council on Nature Positive Bills scuppered by PM

The Biodiversity Council is deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister has vetoed a deal with the Senate crossbench at the 11th hour to deliver a national environment protection authority and an information-gathering agency - two key election promises.

Biodiversity Council Director James Trezise spoke to ABC News about the development.

“News this week that the PM stepped into to shut down progress on the government’s own Nature Positive Bills, at the behest of vested industry interests, will be disappointing to the millions of Australians who care about our unique environment," said James Trezise.

“This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver meaningful legislative reform and leave a long-term legacy for the protection of nature.

“Australia is in a biodiversity crisis. We lead the world on the extinction of mammals, are ranked second overall for the loss of biodiversity and we have 19 ecosystems showing signs of collapse. There are more than 2200 species and ecosystems now at risk of extinction.

“The intervention by the PM to scupper a deal on a national EPA and national environmental standards means that nature and a safe environment for future generations have been the big losers in the last week of parliament.

“Our research has shown that 97% of Australians want to see more government action on nature protection, and 73% support strengthening our national environmental laws. Hundreds of thousands of Australians have signed petitions calling for stronger environmental laws, and hundreds of ALP branches have called on the government to implement these changes.

“The Albanese Government made clear commitments to deliver national environmental reform in this term of government, so the PM’s deliberate act to shut down a deal is a breach of faith with the community and a lack of leadership and foresight about what a meaningful environmental legacy could look like for his government.

The government has one more shot to progress these reforms if Parliament resumes in February as planned, we hope the PM steps up to the challenge.”