As The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP gets her feet firmly settled under the desk as the new Environment Minister, the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has written to the Minister urging she supports the Koala Protection Act as the fate of the Koala now rests in her hands.
AKF Chair Deborah Tabart OAM, says she has written to the new Minister requesting to sit down and discuss the plight of the Koala and what needs to be done to save them, starting with the Koala Protection Act.
"The new Environment Minister is the 15th during my 33-year career at the Australian Koala Foundation. I hold great hope that with the Minister's parliamentary experience and expertise she will be able to help save the Koala," said Deborah.
"The Koala Protection Act is firm but fair. It requires no funding just the Minister's signature and the political will to convince industry that they now have to do things by the book. The Koala Protection Act is a revolutionary piece of legislation which will change environmental law forever. I know it is feared by both sides of politics and the industries that support them, but it's ultimately what's needed to truly save the Koala."
"I have expressed to the Minister that I do not envy some of the decisions she will need to make to protect Koala forests and the waterways that sustain them, but it's what is required to lead to a more sustainable future."
"Recently the Federal Government upgraded the status of the Koala from 'Vulnerable' to 'Endangered' in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. However, South Australian and Victorian Koalas are not protected by federal laws, which is ridiculous. Why should some Koalas miss out?" Tabart said.
"Minister, the existence of our beloved icon, the Koala now rests in your hands. Bulldozers continue to destroy habitats and that has to stop. I urge that you take the opportunity to sit down with me and discuss what needs to be done to save the Koalas.".
AKF has spent three decades engaging in the very best scientific minds to develop detailed habitat mapping, population data and carefully considered solutions to save the Koala, including drafting the Koala Protection Act and launching the Koala Kiss Project aimed at connecting fragmented habitat.
AKF is calling for the urgent adoption of a Koala Protection Act. Australia's laws do nothing to protect Koala habitat. Cash splashes and band-aid solutions will not save the Koala, strong legislative action is needed to stop the bulldozers. The message is simple – 'no tree, no me'.
