Put our forests first. Stronger national environmental laws to protect unique habitats

The Issue

The election date is set but where is the commitment to our natural environment? 

My name is Jorj Lowrey. I’ve spent the past two years on the frontline in Manyana NSW, fighting alongside my community to save the last remnants of unburnt native forest from the Black Summer Bushfires that were being threatened by housing development.

We have engaged with all levels of government and seen firsthand how weak environmental laws threaten our beloved forests and the native wildlife that call them home.

The Morrison Government has always prioritised the economy over the environment. And now it plans to undermine proper environmental protections under a new single-touch environmental approval process that will give greedy developers and miners the greenlight to destroy native forests, without needing approval under national environment laws. 

I’m calling on federal leaders to first develop new legally binding national environmental protections, as recommended by Graeme Samuel’s review, before committing $62 million to this new regime. 

As our environment comes under ever-increasing pressure our forests need greater protection, not less. This new legislation would speed the way to even more mining and development. We are already witnessing the knock-on effects of biodiversity loss in the form of extreme weather events everywhere in Australia.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s wildlife-wrecking plans would override the need for project-by-project federal approval and instead establish 10 regional zones in major project hotspots. It seems the government's aim is to make things easier for fossil fuel companies and developers rather than protect our natural environment.

Australia is in an extinction crisis and the 2021 Samuel independent review of Australian environment law confirmed that we are in deep trouble.

The independent Samuel review called for a comprehensive overhaul of our national environment laws if we are to truly preserve Australia’s iconic and unique landscapes and wildlife. 

It’s not too late for us to protect the invaluable native forests and wildlife but we need action NOW. Ahead of the 2022 federal election, let’s send a message to every candidate, every party.

Put our forests first!

avatar of the starter
Jorj LowreyPetition StarterI’m an environmentalist and animal lover who’s passionate about standing up for what’s right. I believe in treading lightly on the earth and living simply. I want to leave the planet in a better state than I found it. Together, we can!
Media enquiries

16,047

The Issue

The election date is set but where is the commitment to our natural environment? 

My name is Jorj Lowrey. I’ve spent the past two years on the frontline in Manyana NSW, fighting alongside my community to save the last remnants of unburnt native forest from the Black Summer Bushfires that were being threatened by housing development.

We have engaged with all levels of government and seen firsthand how weak environmental laws threaten our beloved forests and the native wildlife that call them home.

The Morrison Government has always prioritised the economy over the environment. And now it plans to undermine proper environmental protections under a new single-touch environmental approval process that will give greedy developers and miners the greenlight to destroy native forests, without needing approval under national environment laws. 

I’m calling on federal leaders to first develop new legally binding national environmental protections, as recommended by Graeme Samuel’s review, before committing $62 million to this new regime. 

As our environment comes under ever-increasing pressure our forests need greater protection, not less. This new legislation would speed the way to even more mining and development. We are already witnessing the knock-on effects of biodiversity loss in the form of extreme weather events everywhere in Australia.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s wildlife-wrecking plans would override the need for project-by-project federal approval and instead establish 10 regional zones in major project hotspots. It seems the government's aim is to make things easier for fossil fuel companies and developers rather than protect our natural environment.

Australia is in an extinction crisis and the 2021 Samuel independent review of Australian environment law confirmed that we are in deep trouble.

The independent Samuel review called for a comprehensive overhaul of our national environment laws if we are to truly preserve Australia’s iconic and unique landscapes and wildlife. 

It’s not too late for us to protect the invaluable native forests and wildlife but we need action NOW. Ahead of the 2022 federal election, let’s send a message to every candidate, every party.

Put our forests first!

avatar of the starter
Jorj LowreyPetition StarterI’m an environmentalist and animal lover who’s passionate about standing up for what’s right. I believe in treading lightly on the earth and living simply. I want to leave the planet in a better state than I found it. Together, we can!
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Sarah Hanson-Young
Sarah Hanson-Young
Greens Senator for South Australia
Responded
“Dear petition signers, Our environment is in crisis - and this election could determine its future. Our ecosystems are on the verge of collapse and species extinction so rapid, Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world. Even our precious koala is at risk of being extinct in parts of Australia by 2050. And yet, the Morrison Government wants to continue polluting, destroying and clearing critical habitat for mining and development - even in places like Manyana that were destroyed by the Black Summer Bushfires - and our environmental laws are too weak to stop it. We cannot afford another three years of inaction and obstruction. It is great to see grassroots movements like Manyana Matters fighting to stop land clearing and protect local wildlife - it is thanks to people like you that we can bring attention to critical issues like this in the leadup to an election. With Greens in the Senate and in balance of power we will push the next government to protect our environment and wildlife before it is lost forevermore. As you know, what our environment needs is urgent reform and strong investment for protection and restoration - this means zero extinctions through restoration of critical habitat, cleaning up our rivers and lakes, and implementing strong laws to protect our environment from destruction. The Greens have a plan to do this. We will invest $24.4 billion over the next decade in a mass greening and restoration program, and establish an Independent Environment Watchdog to enforce stronger environmental laws and hold governments, mining corporations, and property developers to account. To Green Australia we will: - Halt the extinction crisis through setting a goal of Zero Extinctions by 2030; - Invest $24.4 billion over the next decade into greening and restoration to ensure we are protecting habitats for native plants and animals; - Establish an Independent Environment Watchdog to enforce stronger environmental laws and protect our natural environment and wildlife from land clearing, pollution, and destruction; - End native forest logging to help reduce fire risk, and transition workers into sustainable plantation forestry; - Save the Great Barrier Reef with grants to improve farming practises to stop runoff, stopping damaging maritime projects, and banning offshore dumping to protect our oceans; - Make our rivers swimmable by 2030, including Adelaide’s Torrens River, Melbourne’s Yarra, and Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, so we can create new jobs and boost tourism; and - Save the Murray Darling from corporate greed through water recovery targets and water buybacks. You can read our full plan to Green Australia here: https://greens.org.au/platform/enviro#greenaus In balance of power, the Greens will continue to fight for our endangered species, our environment, and all the communities that rely on them. We have already introduced legislation that would strengthen our environmental laws in line with the recommendations of the Samuel Review, and we are committed to passing this in the new parliament. Australians do not want to stand by and watch as corporate greed pushes our environment to the point of collapse, and climate disasters continue to devastate both communities and the environment alike. The Greens are ready to fight with you. In solidarity, Sarah Hanson Young, Greens spokesperson for the environment. Authorised by S. Hanson-Young, Australian Greens Adelaide SA 5000”

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Petition created on 13 April 2022