Conservation organisations urge quick action from Federal Government to protect Australia's oceans, reefs and wildlife

Conservation organisations including WWF-Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) have congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor on victory in the federal election while urging for quick action on protecting Australia's oceans, reefs and wildlife.

WWF-Australia urges the government to deliver bold action on nature and climate in Prime Minister Albanese’s initial 100 days of his second term with a view to getting Bills tabled in the first year of Parliament.

Dermot O'Gorman, WWF-Australia Chief Executive notes "the impacts of climate change and nature loss are being felt across Australia and the window for effective action is rapidly closing.

"Voters have endorsed representatives that champion a clean energy future and the protection of our wildlife and wild places.

"Labor has made significant investments to keep Australia's transition to renewables on track, but continues to approve coal and gas projects. Australia also remains a world leader on exporting climate-damaging fossil fuels.

"Every single tonne of additional coal and gas is putting the future of Australian communities and our iconic reefs, forests and wildlife at risk. We must change course this year to have any hope of a safer climate future.

"Australia needs to set an emissions reduction target of at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2035 and commit to a phase out of fossil fuels to truly become a renewable energy superpower.”

WWF-Australia will submit a brief to the incoming government that identifies 10 urgent actions to protect nature and address climate change in the first 100 days.

They include immediate steps to:

• Invest 1% of the budget into nature

• Complete the reform of Australia's nature laws

• Catalyse global and regional ocean protection

• Build a nature positive economy

• Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is also calling on the Federal Government to deliver urgently needed protections for Australia's oceans, reefs and wildlife, warning that the next term must not repeat the mistakes of the last one.

AMCS Chief Executive Paul Gamblin noted "the Prime Minister declared that this was an election about Australian values. What could be more core to our values than stepping up to take much better care of our incredible environment?

"We stand at a crossroads. Australia's oceans, among the most biodiverse on the planet, face escalating threats - from the clear and present danger of climate change, habitat loss and pollution, to unsustainable fishing and industrialisation of the coast.

"This election result is both an opportunity and a test. The previous Labor government began with momentum and promises on climate and nature laws but lost its way. We are already halfway through the critical decade. The time for incrementalism is over. It's time we consider future generations with the resolve that deserves.

"Labor was re-elected on the promise of progress, and Australians expect and deserve strong national environment laws and real action to curb fossil fuel expansion. This must be the term where promises are kept.

"The dual climate and nature crises are existential - and if we are serious about securing prosperity, progress and our way of life, as the Prime Minister outlined in his victory speech, the government must move fast and with ambition for all Australians.

"Our world famous coral reefs were bleaching on both the east and west coasts as underwater bushfires raged, all during the election campaign, starkly illustrating the climate crisis unfolding in real time. Meanwhile, polling showed climate action remained a top concern for millions of Australians.

AMCS looks forward to working with the new government and all parties, MPs and senators in the next Australian parliament to deliver meaningful protection for Australia's coasts and oceans, while remaining vigilant and vocal in holding decision-makers to account.

"We're ready to work with the government to protect what makes Australia special - our reefs, marine life and coastlines. If the government fails to act on better protections - or approves more climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects - it's not just our environment that's at risk, but the jobs, communities and way of life that depend on healthy oceans. Protecting nature is a reaffirmation of Australia's core values and an investment in future prosperity," Gamblin added.

Ocean Agenda 2025
As a strictly non-partisan organisation, AMCS wrote to all political parties and key independent MPs, setting out the priorities the next Australian Government must deliver on. These priorities are detailed in the Ocean Agenda 2025.

• Stop extinctions - protect and restore marine life

• Safeguard unique ocean ecosystems

• Act on climate and stop fossil fuel expansion

• Invest in the future - fund nature protection and restoration

• Lead in global ocean conservation