Save Threatened Wildlife

Australia’s nature laws are better known as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. It is the country’s environmental legislation. It’s purpose is to protect and conserve our environment and biodiversity including threatened wildlife, critical habitats and special places, including the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu.

Here’s just one example why it’s so important we seize this opportunity to make these laws better. The EPBC Act is supposed to protect the homes and habitats of our most threatened species, but in the 20 years since the laws were passed more than 7.7 million hectares of threatened species habitat has been destroyed – that’s an area bigger than the whole of Tasmania.

Our environmental laws are failing to protect our wildlife and the places we love.

Australia is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife that is found nowhere else on the planet. Over 30 million years of geographical isolation has created fascinating animals that are unique to our vast continent.<

But now, more than 1,800 species of plant, animal and ecological communities are officially listed as threatened. This includes 517 species of wildlife.

Our iconic animals including the koala, black-flanked rock-wallaby and hairy-nosed wombat are currently under threat. And it’s not just our mammals and unique marsupials at risk.

Countless rare birds, like the regent honeyeater and swift parrot, are also on the brink. As are some of our most fascinating reptiles and frogs, like the beautiful green and golden bell frog, and all could soon be gone forever if we don’t act now.