[Canberrabirds] Fwd: We Need “tougher” National Environmental Protection Laws!

["Kim Farley via Canberrabirds " <>]

A post below from our colleagues in the Southern NSW branch of Birdlife Australia. This update is about taking Action for Stronger Nature Laws at the federal level, and what we as citizens and nature lovers can do to help. 

Kim

President, Canberra Birds/COG

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: BirdLIfe Southern NSW <>
Date: Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Subject: We Need “tougher” National Environmental Protection Laws!
To: Kim Farley <>

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SPECIAL BULLETIN

 

A Call to Action for Stronger Nature Laws

15 June 2026

Photo above: Australian Conservation Foundation

 

Prevent the weakening of promised “tougher” national environmental protection laws

A key element of the federal nature laws enacted last year was to be the introduction of strong national environmental standards that can be enforced by the newly established Environmental Protection Authority. The most important of these standards now being developed by Minister Watt, called the draft Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) standard, has just completed its public consultation phase. The federal government is soon expected to announce its response to the submissions received. Submissions lodged by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), BirdLife Australia and other major environmental groups were highly critical of the draft, and for good reason. Big changes are needed.

What’s wrong with the draft MNES standard?

The draft MNES is no improvement on the old laws that we have been arguing for years were not fit for purpose. The government must be persuaded to strengthen them. Five key changes are needed to the MNES as outlined clearly by the ACF at this LINK.

What can nature lovers do to help?

In the short time available to influence Minister Watt’s decision on this, only urgent lobbying of federal Labor politicians is likely to be effective. So you are asked to call your federal Labor MP or, if you don’t have one, call any or all the NSW Labor senators to let them know why they should be dissatisfied with the government’s disappointing failure to take their own environmental protection policies and election promises seriously. We want the MNES to be strengthened before the final version is released.

What can you say to your representatives when you call?

The ACF has a sample script to use when you call an MP’s or senator’s office and speak to them or their staff or leave a recorded message – see it at this LINK.

A phone call is likely to more effective than an email, but an email will help too if that’s your preference.

Which Labor politicians could I call?

Federal Labor senators for NSW are
Tim Ayres (02) 9159 9330
Tony Sheldon (02) 9719 1078
Deborah O’Neill (02) 4367 4565
Jenny McAllister (02) 9719 8100

These key Labor MPs have been champions of nature in the past and will be receptive if you are a constituent: 

David Moncrieff (Hughes) 9521 6262
Sally Sitou (Reid) 9715 7444
Jerome Laxale (Bennelong) 9869 4288

The contact details of other MPs can be found at https://www.ahttps://www.aph.gov.au/Members

Thank you for helping!

Contact us by email at if you need more information or guidance.

BirdLife Southern NSW, a branch of BirdLife Australia,
Discovery Centre and Office,
Newington Armory, 1 Jamieson St, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127

Office holders and management committee members of BirdLife Southern NSW are:  David Marquard (Chair), Barry Walsh (Secretary), Chris Binns, Christine Kelly (Treasurer), Elisabeth Dark, Kristine Drummond, Julie Fitness, Cathy Goswell, Kerrie Gribble, Judy Harrington, Jenny Nicholls, Peter Thorn, Dan Vickers and Kathryn Warwick.

Contact us at email:  .Subscribe to this newsletter by completing this online form

Provide feedback about this newsletter or any aspect of our work via BirdLife Southern NSW: Feedback Form

Our website: https://birdlife.org.au/groups/birdlife-southern-nsw/

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