By Abbas Nazil
The Greens have called on Australia’s Labour government to take a stronger stance on environmental protection, urging it to prioritise its commitments to nature and climate amid mounting pressure from political opponents and powerful industry lobbyists.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens’ environment spokesperson, has criticised Labour for delaying key reforms and challenged the party to demonstrate the courage required to honour its promises.
Hanson-Young identified the climate crisis and environmental degradation as the “elephant in the room” for the next general election, arguing that these issues must not be sidelined despite the expected dominance of cost-of-living concerns in public debates.
According to Hanson-Young, the Greens will play a critical role in ensuring environmental priorities remain central to national discourse.
The Greens have demanded an immediate moratorium on the destruction of koala habitats, underscoring the urgency of protecting vulnerable species.
Hanson-Young recently attended a rally in Coffs Harbour, advocating for an end to native forest logging to help establish the proposed “Great Koala National Park”.
She emphasised that stopping habitat destruction is vital to preventing species extinction and preserving Australia’s biodiversity.
Labour’s inability to advance its “nature-positive” plan, which includes creating a federal environment protection agency and establishing national environmental standards, has become a contentious issue.
Although Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, was close to finalising a deal with the Greens to pass the legislation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly shelved the proposal following lobbying from the mining industry and the Western Australian government.
Hanson-Young argued that Labour must stand up to vested interests and fulfil its 2022 election promise to implement stronger environmental protections.
The national environmental standards, a cornerstone recommendation from Graeme Samuel’s review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, remain in limbo, with no clear timeline for implementation.
Related Posts
Hanson-Young criticised Labour’s lack of progress, warning that delays risk alienating environmentally conscious voters.
She challenged the Albanese government to prioritise the reforms and deliver the full package of promised changes, including the establishment of a nature watchdog.
The Greens have already made significant concessions in negotiations, including dropping their demand for a climate trigger on new projects.
However, Labour has shown little willingness to reciprocate, with Albanese recently stating that his government would not compromise on its principles regarding the proposed nature watchdog.
This impasse has left the fate of the nature-positive plan uncertain, with little chance of resolution before the 2025 election.
Hanson-Young dismissed Labour’s accusations that the Greens have strayed from their environmental roots, a criticism stemming from the party’s recent focus on housing and international issues.
She reaffirmed that the Greens remain committed to their foundational mission of environmental advocacy, accusing Labour of using the critique to divert attention from its own shortcomings on climate and nature.
The Greens are preparing to make environmental issues a focal point of their 2025 election campaign, championing causes such as protecting Scott Reef from Woodside’s Browse gas project, securing world-heritage status for the Great Australian Bight, and safeguarding the endangered Maugean skate in Tasmania.
Hanson-Young called for a decisive government response, asserting that continued delays and half-measures would only worsen the climate crisis and erode public trust.
“Mother Nature has compromised a lot,” Hanson-Young said. “It’s time for the fossil fuel industry, the loggers, and big business to step aside and allow meaningful environmental protection to take place.”
The Greens’ push for stronger environmental action underscores their determination to hold Labour accountable and ensure that climate and nature are not overlooked in the lead-up to the general election.
With the government relying on Greens’ support in the Senate to pass critical legislation, the pressure is mounting for Labour to deliver on its promises and take a bold stand for the environment.
