Australia’s Wildlife Vanishes: Politicians Turn a Blind Eye

Sydney (Australia), report

Over the past 200 years, Australia has witnessed the highest rate of species extinction worldwide, a dismal record. Currently, over 600 animal species are listed on the Australian government’s endangered list, with 141 categorized as in « critical danger of extinction ». Each year, the continent edges closer to losing dozens more species, primarily due to climate change, habitat destruction, and the spread of invasive species.

Despite the inclusion of iconic species such as koalas on the list of threatened animals, successive governments have not made adequate efforts to reverse the trend and safeguard Australia’s unique wildlife.

The election of a Labor government in 2022, which promised to break away from the previous Prime Minister’s climate inaction and enhance environmental protection, has led to no significant changes.

Three years later, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is unable to boast about his environmental protection policies. He is seeking another three-year term in the upcoming federal elections on Saturday, May 3.

« Labor made big promises that they did not fulfill », laments Lis Ashby, head of policy and innovation at Biodiversity Council Australia, a nonprofit comprising experts and academics advocating for the protection of Australian biodiversity. Indeed, Anthony Albanese’s government has « increased spending on protected species, but it is still far from sufficient ».

Environmental advocacy groups particularly criticize the government for abandoning a set of laws meant to enhance the protection of flora, fauna, and their natural habitats. These laws were supposed to establish a new federal environmental protection agency capable of imposing fines and auditing companies to ensure they comply with development permits (real estate, energy infrastructure, mines, etc.).

« Unfortunately, Anthony Albanese has succumbed to the powerful mining industry lobby and has personally put these laws on hold », regrets Darcie Carruthers, a campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Scientist Hugh Possingham from the University of Queensland believes that the current legal framework is « ineffective » and has even been « weakened » by the Labor party: « The only amendment made to the environmental protection law was one protecting salmon farming in Tasmania, making it difficult to revise past granted exploitation permits ». Salmon farming is controversial in Tasmania due to its environmental cost, especially its impact on the endangered Maugean skate species.

During the Labor term, the number of animals and plants added to the endangered list even set a record in 2023. « This has been the busiest year for the threatened species list since its inception, says Darcie Carruthers. One hundred and forty-four additional plants, animals, and ecosystems were added to this ever-growing list. »

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, environmental degradation has continued since the Labor party returned to power in 2022. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese’s government has approved ten new coal mining projects or extensions of existing ones across the country.

Leading the polls for the elections, the Labor Party has once again promised during its campaign to do more for environmental protection. In contrast, the other major party, the Coalition (conservatives), « has no proposals for environmental protection », states Darcie Carruthers.

As the federal elections approach, environmental groups remain hopeful: they wish to see the Labor party achieve a relative majority in Parliament, forcing it to form alliances with minor parties or independent members who are more inclined to protect Australia’s exceptional wildlife.