Cumberland Conservation Corridor plan delivers election commitment and 700 hectares of bushland rehabilitation and protection

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH FIONA SCOTT MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAY & LOUISE MARKUS, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE The Australian Government will restore or protect approximately 700 hectares of Cumberland Plains woodlands through future land covenants, land acquisition and activities under the Green Army and the 20 Million Trees Programme. This builds on the approximately…

Landcare grants open in Cape York

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON WARREN ENTSCH MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LEICHARDT Land managers and community groups across Cape York are now able to apply for Australian Government grants for projects to help care for the region’s nationally significant wetlands and waterways. Traditional Owners, landholders and Landcare groups are invited to register an expression of…

Joining forces to keep the historic Kokoda Track open and safe

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH THE HON DR STEVEN MILES MP, QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Australia and Papua New Guinea’s historic partnership to maintain the value of the Kokoda Track continues today, with geospatial mapping being undertaken to ensure its safety. The Kokoda Track Authority in Papua New Guinea is working in partnership with officers…

Statement – Retirement of Dr Tony Fleming

The Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Dr Tony Fleming, has today announced his retirement. Dr Fleming has been an outstanding Director of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) for the past four years and a long time public servant in the environment. I wish to convey my personal appreciation for his tireless work in leading…

New measures to protect World War II aircraft wrecks

The Government is proud to announce two RAAF World War II aircraft wrecks in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will be protected under new measures planned to come into effect next month. Special management areas – or buffer zones – will be placed around a Catalina wreck off Bowen and a Catalina that crashed…

Australian Government to host Threatened Species Summit in Melbourne

The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to host a landmark national summit on threatened species and launch its own strategy for our rare and endangered animals and plants. The Threatened Species Summit will be held at Melbourne Zoo on 16 July 2015. There are more than 1750 mammal, bird, reptile, fish, frog, insect…

First Emissions Reduction Fund auction delivers significant abatement

The results of the first Emissions Reduction Fund auction released today clearly prove that the Coalition’s climate change policy is delivering real and significant abatement – just as we always said it would. The Clean Energy Regulator has awarded contracts for 47 million tonnes of abatement at an average price per tonne of $13.95. In…

Government moves to save Victoria’s iconic Leadbeater’s possum

After carefully considering advice from the independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee and submissions from experts, interested organisations and the wider community, I have decided to list the Leadbeater’s possum as a ‘critically endangered’ species. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee’s recommendation was clear and unequivocal regarding the need to transfer the species from endangered to critically…

Anzac grants commemorate a Centenary of service

In commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac, I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government has funded 24 local grants totalling more than $125,000 to groups across the Flinders electorate. Through the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Programme, community groups have had the opportunity to honour the service and sacrifice that epitomises the Anzac spirit.…

Grants to help dairy farmers clean up Tasmania’s rivers

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH MR ANDREW NIKOLIC AM CSC MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS Dairy farmers in Tasmania’s Tamar estuary and Esk rivers catchment areas are set to benefit from grants of up to $5000 to support their efforts to help clean up the region’s waterways. The funding is part of the Australian Government’s National…