Habitat in crisis

There is no doubt that Australians live in a wonderful country: clean air, abundant food, plenty of space, work for nearly all – one could go on and on.

But what about our magnificent native animals which go back in history for millions of years?

Have a great many of these been forgotten by Australians in the rush to “develop” the country?

The answer would certainly have to be yes. It does not paint a pretty picture.

An excellent recent report produced by the Australian Conservation Foundation Investigations Unit indicates that Australians have treated our native animals very poorly indeed, as follows: 25,000ha of koala habitat approved for destruction between 2011 and 2021.

Greater gliders, swift parrots, forest red tailed black-cockatoos and spot-tailed quolls had in total area 12,900ha of habitat approved for demolition.

In the five years to 2016 the Government approved 80,000ha of threatened species habitat for destruction, but then the amount went up to 120,000ha in the following five years.

Mining accounted for 72% of the total habitat destruction approved under the national environment law.

Australia has the terrible distinction of having caused the extinction of more mammals than any other nation.

Our newly elected Federal Government surely must now urgently enact environmental law reform, so our national environmental laws really can properly protect our native animals.

Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank