The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on its re-election, calling on it 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 said: "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," Mr Gamblin said.
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
