Renee Coffey (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

One of the great privileges of representing Griffith is seeing how deeply our community cares for the natural places around us. When I join with the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee or the Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, when I attend our community forums and meet with our local ACF and WWF members, when I see their practical work that's happening to restore our natural habitats—in particular, the care of the koala populations we have in my area and all the work to keep our waterways healthy—I see that care in action. That's why I'm proud that this budget continues our work to protect Australia's natural environment.

Last year, this government passed historic laws through the parliament—landmark reforms that marked a major step forward in the way Australia protects nature. For the first time, Australia will have national environmental standards, providing clear and consistent rules to guide decision-making and better protect our environment. This budget now delivers the funding to put those reforms into action, with $250 million to establish Australia's first national environmental protection agency. This is a massive step forward for our country. In just 48 days, Australia will have a strong independent national environmental regulator with the power to enforce our environmental laws, conduct audits, improve accountability and make sure that the rules designed to protect nature are properly upheld.

This budget also provides $110.8 million to continue protecting native species and biodiversity and $21.1 million to continue water reform activities, including support for First Nations people to access and manage water; transparency and integrity in water markets; and the Goyder Institute for Water Research.

Queensland is home to six of the world's seven marine turtle species, all of which are considered threatened due to climate change, habitat loss and predation. That is why the Albanese government is continuing to deliver $820,000 for the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program in partnership with the Queensland government. Since 2014, this program has helped an estimated 2.5 million hatchlings begin their journey to the sea, with 90 per cent of eggs now hatched through predator control and direct nest protection measures.

After passing the required legislation in March to support Australia's participation in the high-seas biodiversity treaty, this government is now turning that commitment into action through targeted investment and practical project delivery. We're investing $11.5 million to improve the management of Australia's marine parks, support sea country partnerships with traditional owners and strengthen Australia's ocean leadership.

Protecting the environment means protecting the places that sustain us and giving the next generation a country where nature is cared for, threatened species have a future and the restoration of nature is backed in. This budget keeps us moving in that direction with care, ambition and the continued national leadership needed to protect nature and the places that Australians love.

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