Our national environment laws are supposed to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the places and wildlife we love.
But the once-in-a-decade independent review of our environment law found that nature in Australia is in trouble, and our laws are not fit to deal with current or future challenges – like climate change or extinction.
The Albanese Government has accepted this and is now overhauling our national environment laws. This is a rare and critical opportunity to reverse nature destruction across the continent.
Email your local Member of Parliament and ask them to speak up in Parliament for laws that actually protect nature, including:
- strong outcome-focused environmental standards that genuinely protect our unique places, plants, animals and ecosystems.
- an independent national Environment Protection Authority to oversee environmental decision-making
Tips for your email
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Briefly introduce yourself, including your name and where you live (so your elected representative knows you live in the area they are responsible for). You might like to also briefly say a little about who you are e.g. a young person, a person of faith, a local community group member, a teacher, a parent, a bushwalker.
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Explain your concern—identify clearly the issue that you wish to address. Remember, MPs and Senators have to be informed about a lot of issues. So be clear on what you are talking about! Then explain why you are concerned about or interested in this issue.
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Ask your MP to take action. Tell them clearly and respectfully what you would like them to speak up in Parliament for strong national environment laws that actually protect nature, and an independent regulator to enforce them.
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Thank them and sign off.
More tips for writing a persuasive email to your MP.
Our elected representatives must choose to protect our precious wildlife and ecosystems for years to come. It’s up to all of us to make sure they listen to the recommendations and make laws that actually protect nature.
Further reading
Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
Fast-tracking extinction: Australia's national environmental law
Header image: Dale Cochrane