Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Hon Marion Scrymgour MP, Member for Lingiari
The Albanese Government has now protected 25 per cent of Australia's land mass, an important milestone towards achieving our ambitious commitment to protect 30 per cent of Australia's land by 2030.
With over 196 million hectares now protected - an area larger than the size of Queensland - we are ensuring that Australia's native species are safer for the future.
In October 2022, Federal, State and Territory Environment Ministers agreed to work together to reach the National 30 by 30 target, including through growing Australia's protected area network and establishing a network of conserved areas.
Reaching this milestone is crucial to reversing environmental decline and protecting Australia's native plants, animals and other species from extinction.
The 25 per cent milestone was achieved after the dedication of the Simpson Desert Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) near Alice Springs. The IPA adds more than 4.7 million hectares of land to the National Reserve System.
Located in the south-eastern corner of the Northern Territory, the Simpson Desert IPA is home to unique ecosystems like sand dunes, stone plains and wetlands, which are habitat for the greater bilby, central rock-rat, night parrot and princess parrot.
These are priority species identified in the Threatened Species Action Plan and will benefit from Traditional Owner-led conservation activities, including culturally informed fire management, targeted weed and feral animal control, protection of important water places, habitat restoration, and ongoing monitoring and research.
The Simpson Desert IPA will be managed by the Central Land Council in partnership with Traditional Owners.
