MEDIA RELEASE: A MILLION SPECIES FACING EXTINCTION

THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR WATSON
 
A MILLION SPECIES FACING EXTINCTION
 

Federal Labor is alarmed at the results of the global biodiversity report launched today by the United Nations. The report details that a million species of flora and fauna are rapidly facing extinction.

This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which has a comprehensive policy package to protect our environment and take on the challenge of species extinction, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.
 
It is now clear: 

  • We are on the pathway to a million extinctions.

  • We are potentially facing the sixth mass extinction in the history of the planet.

  • Australia remains the extinction capital of the world. 

 
This reinforces the need for Labor’s comprehensive policy agenda to fight extinction, which we launched over the weekend. 
 
Labor’s policies tackle a number of important issues currently facing our environment. These policies are designed to undo years of neglect, cuts and chaos from the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government. 
 
Labor’s policy outlines:

  • Reform environmental laws.

  • Establish an Environment Protection Agency. 

  • Establish an $100 million Extinction Fund. 

  • Increase the role and authority of Indigenous Rangers in land management. 

 
A Shorten Labor Government will also engage on environmental issues in the international arena, a space the Liberals have vacated. Our international focus will include:
 

  • Climate change negotiations.

  • Biodiversity.

  • Ocean protection, the Coral Triangle and the high seas.

  • Threats such as marine pollution, plastics and seabed mining.

  • Updating CITES and ratifying international heritage conventions (e.g. underwater and intangible cultural heritage).


Scott Morrison has virtually vacated the international arena when it comes to environmental initiatives and programs.

The Liberal Government has not endorsed a number of international agreements on ocean protection, marine litter and plastics, coral reef protections, updating the international law of the sea and reviewing and updating CITES.

Labor is the party for the environment. 

End the chaos. Vote for change. Vote for Labor.

TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2019 

Tony Burke