We just reached an incredible milestone: half a million signatures on the petition for strong laws that actually protect nature. This truly phenomenal display of community demand is just one of so many inspiring examples of people speaking up for our precious places, wildlife and communities. Let's harness this moment to get action from our elected representatives!
We are destroying the forests, wetlands and reefs we love and depend on at a dangerous rate. With one of the worst extinction records on Earth, Australia desperately needs a new vision – and bold action – for nature protection.
The Albanese Government has made some encouraging statements about protecting nature since taking office. Last week Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced a goal of ‘zero new extinctions’ in Australia, and the Prime Minister recently joined over 90 nations pledging to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
Minister Plibersek has announced plans to introduce changes to nature laws in Parliament next year. But the new generation nature laws we desperately need are far from a done deal – it’s up to all of us to make sure they’re bold and ambitious, including strong environmental standards and an independent regulator to enforce them.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is preparing the government's response to the scathing once-in-a-decade review of our failing nature laws, which will shape what changes they could introduce to Parliament next year.
We need Minister Plibersek and our whole Parliament to aim high. We have a critical window now to urge every single member of our government – plus some other key decision makers – to make sure new nature laws are strong, ambitious and include an independent regulator to enforce them.
That’s why 200+ ACF community members have already put their hand up to host a local petition delivery event, and hand over the enormous petition for strong nature laws to their elected representatives’ offices in November.
Will you join them by hosting a local delivery event between 14-18 November?
Engaging with decision-makers, just like these volunteers in Mulgrave (VIC) who spoke with then-Labor candidate and now MP Carina Garland, is a powerful way of making sure protecting and restoring nature is on politicians’ agendas. Photo credit: Julian Meehan.
Hosting a local delivery event involves leading a quick, powerful gathering to hand the petition to your local Labor MP or Senator’s office, on behalf of everyone who has signed it in your area.
Our MPs and Senators care deeply about what their constituents think. Being handed a petition with hundreds – and in some cases thousands – of names on it will make it abundantly clear that nature protection is a big local priority.
If you have never hosted an event like this before, or are not quite sure what to expect, that’s okay!
We will support you to host a smooth, fun and impactful delivery event through:
Working together, we can ramp up the pressure on every single one of our elected representatives. Can we count you in?
If you’ve already signed our biggest-ever petition calling for strong new laws that actually protect nature – thank you! If not, add your name now!
Let’s spread the word and get people from all walks of life adding their voices with us – share the petition with your networks and be part of this incredible moment by hosting a delivery event in your community.
When nature flourishes, so do we. Protecting and restoring nature is good for our communities, our climate, our health and our economy. Let’s get on with it!
Header image: Rainforest in Wooroonooran National Park. Photo: Kerry Trapnell.