As we mark Threatened Species Day today, the Australian Government is continuing to take significant action to protect our nation’s rare and remarkable fauna and flora.
The Coalition has made the protection of threatened species a major environmental priority.
Since coming into government, we have taken major steps to protect our threatened species, including:
– appointing Australia’s first ever Threatened Species Commissioner
– committing over $110 million in funding for threatened species
– bringing national attention to our native animals and plants at our first Threatened Species Summit
– launching Australia’s first national Threatened Species Strategy
– declaring war on feral cats, the biggest threat to our species
– establishing a $30 million dedicated research hub for threatened species recovery
The first ever Threatened Species Commissioner has driven a fresh new approach to conservation based on science, action and partnerships.
Our new five-year Threatened Species Strategy shows how we can prioritise effort and pool resources to bring our native animals and plants back from the brink.
As part of the Strategy, we have set hard targets for real improvements to the recovery of 20 mammals and 20 birds on our national threatened species list by 2020, as well as for 30 priority plant species. That means humane culling of one of our wildlife’s worst enemies – feral cats.
By 2020, we want to see two million feral cats culled, five new islands and 10 new mainland ‘safe havens’ free of feral cats, and control measures applied across 10 million hectares.
The Green Army, 20 Million Trees, and the National Landcare Programme allow us to invest more in local communities to reduce threats to our plants and animals, to establish safe havens, and to restore habitat.
There is tremendous work happening in our communities across Australia to save our threatened species. It’s crucial work, because protecting our unique species is absolutely vital.
(ENDS)