Australia's new environment laws
Ask Minister Watt to set high standards
Send Environment Minister Murray Watt and PM Anthony Albanese a quick email calling for strong Standards that actually protect nature.
Right now, the Albanese Government is finalising one of the most important parts of Australia's new environment laws – Standards.
The Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance will help set the rules for decisions affecting threatened wildlife, habitat, World Heritage areas, internationally important wetlands and other nationally protected nature.
The Government is finalising these rules now, with the Standard expected to be tabled in Parliament soon.
Earlier drafts raised serious concerns. The rules were unclear, left too much room for discretion and politicised decision-making, and contained loopholes that could decision makers to follow a process without having to deliver the environmental result the Standard is meant to achieve.
After decades of nature destruction, these new laws need to raise the bar.
Our government still has an opportunity to get these important rules right.
Tips for writing your email
Make it personal: We’ve drafted some text to get you started, but your message will be stronger in your own words. You could share why environmental standards matter to you.
Focus on what strong Standards need to deliver: Ask Minister Watt and PM Albanese to:
Please deliver National Environmental Standards that set clear rules for protecting nature, require decision-makers to follow them, and deliver real results for threatened wildlife and the places they call home.
You can read more detail about these asks in this explainer.
Keep it clear and respectful: A short, personal and courteous message can make your concerns clear.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Setting high standards
Strong National Environmental Standards were a central recommendation of the independent Samuel Review and a key part of the government’s environment law reforms.
But a Standard is only as strong as the rules inside it.
Previous drafts raised serious concerns about whether the rules would actually constrain decision-makers and deliver stronger protection for nature.
Governments don’t make strong laws in a vacuum – they respond to pressure.
Industry and other lobby groups are already active in the reform process – the public voice must be just as strong.
By emailing your local representatives, you’ll show decision makers you're watching closely – and won’t settle for weak reforms dressed up in good headlines.
