Understorey: Cutting the environment, one amendment at a time

Australia’s native species are disappearing at an alarming late, with already more than 1800 plants and animals formally listed as threatened with extinction.  The Australian government’s own report to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in March 2020 revealed the government failed to meet or measure the majority of its targets. Graeme Samuel’s interim report for his review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act has highlighted the lack of resources being given to the department of the environment, and the need for an independent authority to audit and report on approvals processes.  However, before Samuel’s final report has been written, federal minister Sussan Ley has shown her readiness to shed federal environment approval powers and give them to the states and territories.   Understorey speaks with Fremantle MP Josh Wilson, Shadow Assistant Minister for the Environment, about how the government’s reduced resourcing strategy and “streamlining approvals” amendments will affect biodiversity across the continent, and impact the rule of law.