Australia's environmental reforms are failing to deliver on promises made by the Albanese government, according to experts in biodiversity and environmental law. The government, which swept to power in 2022 with a commitment to end a decade of environmental neglect, is now facing criticism for its handling of environmental policy.
Funding Declines Despite Public Support
Environmental funding is set to decline from 0.06% of the federal budget for on-ground nature programs to less than 0.04% by 2028-29. This comes despite 96% of Australians surveyed wanting more action to care for nature, and 76% believing that at least 1% of the annual federal budget should be dedicated to protecting and recovering nature.
The government is doubling down on a contentious nature repair market, even as experts question its effectiveness. The biodiversity market register currently shows only one listed project with no biodiversity certificates issued, despite tens of millions spent on policy development.
Flawed Environmental Standards
National environmental standards were meant to be the centerpiece of reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. However, only two standards have been released for consultation, and none have been finalized. Experts have found major flaws in the draft standard for matters of national environmental significance, including threatened species and the Great Barrier Reef.
The department has diluted language that originally focused on environmental outcomes, instead highlighting business demands such as giving clear rules and ensuring fair and consistent decision-making. This shift undermines the purpose of the standards, which were intended to improve environmental protections.
Nature Repair Market Struggles
Nature markets have been promoted as a solution for environmental repair, but evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. A further $36.9 million has been allocated for the nature repair market and biodiversity offsets, despite a lackluster track record. Critics argue that such markets risk giving governments an excuse to sidestep their obligations to conserve nature.
Australia is a wealthy nation that can afford to increase direct investment in environmental protection. The current approach of prioritizing fast-tracked approvals for development and declining budgets is seen as entirely wrong in the face of existential threats like climate change and biodiversity loss.
The government's declaration that the environment was "back" under the Albanese government has been met with public optimism, but experts warn that settling for the mere appearance of action would betray Australia's most important public good.
