• Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, and iconic species like koalas are under serious threat.
• To help stop species loss, Labor will establish a Saving Native Species Program.
• The Program focuses on reducing the threats posed by invasive species and will help clear the backlog of overdue native species recovery plans.

Why we need this

Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world.

The national bushfire crisis killed or displaced more than 3 billion animals, and koala populations could become extinct in less than thirty years.

But under the Morrison Government only two percent of recovery plans for threatened species have been made on time. There are now more than 200 outstanding recovery plans required by law.

Scott Morrison hasn’t even taken the necessary steps to save Australia’s iconic koala.

Australia’s National Koala Conservation Strategy expired in 2014, and it hasn’t been replaced over the decade the Liberal Government has been in power.

The details

Labor’s Saving Native Species Program will help arrest species decline and restore populations of endangered plants and animals. It will also help clear the backlog of overdue recovery plans – which is important to make sure we take action to stop extinctions.

This investment of $224.5 million over the forward estimates will mean Labor can: 

• Work with States and Territories on a national koala conservation strategy.
• Expand koala hospitals and services and invest in koala chlamydia vaccines and fertility projects.
• Boost protection for native species and combat invasive species including by investing:
  • $24.8 million to fight Yellow Crazy Ants in Cairns and Townsville.
  • $24.5 million for koala conservation programs.

The program will help address the years of neglect, cuts and mismanagement by the Morrison Government.