Jason Lyddieth, 30 by 30 Alliance Lead:   
 
“The announcement of 2.3 million new hectares of protected areas is a significant and welcome contribution towards Australia’s goal of protecting 30% of our lands by 2030.  

“Nature is critical economic infrastructure supporting around 20% of GDP, so it’s great to see the allocation of $100 million to 12 new land conservation projects across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania as part of the Albanese Government’s $250 million Australian Bushland Program. 

“However, given the critical role and value of nature to our economy, we need sustained and increased investment to achieve 30 by 30 and secure a prosperous future for people and nature.  

“Currently, just 0.1% of federal spending goes towards protecting Australia’s unique and vulnerable nature – far short of what’s needed to prevent extinctions and protect ecosystem services like clean air, water and pollination which keep us healthy and support critical sectors such as agriculture. 

 “Australia must still conserve tens of millions of hectares by 2030 to meet its 30 by 30 commitment. This goal is within reach if we continue working in partnership with states, landholders, and First Nations communities and scale up investment to at least 1% of the federal budget, which could boost Australia’s annual productivity growth by more than 40%.”