The Federal Budget has failed to deliver critical funding required to halt extinctions and secure a healthy environment for future generations.

The 30 by 30 alliance of conservation groups warns current funding levels are far below what is needed for Australia to meet its international commitment to protect and conserve at least 30% of land and 30% of oceans by 2030 – known as the 30 by 30 target.

Jason Lyddieth, 30 by 30 Alliance says nature was overlooked in last night’s federal budget.

“96% of Australians want to see more funding for nature. This budget has allocated just one out of every thousand dollars to protecting Australia’s nature. This is far below the 1% investment experts say is needed to safeguard our wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.

“The Government’s own State of the Environment Report paints a sobering picture of Australia: we lead globally on mammal extinctions, 17 of our precious ecosystems from native forests to coastal mangroves are on the brink of collapse and climate change, habitat loss and invasive species are largely to blame. Despite this, the government continues to prioritise spending money on harmful nature-destructive activities like fossil fuel subsidies over funding protection of the precious nature we have left.

“Nature and the economy are intrinsically linked. From fisheries to farming, from tourism to health, our prosperity depends on healthy ecosystems. We need to start treating investment in nature the same way we treat investment in infrastructure.

“Recent experience with SA’s algal blooms is a stark warning on what happens when ecosystems collapse – not just dead life washing up on shores but the jobs, local economies and health of neighbouring communities that rely on it are all devastated.

“The $110.8 million investment to extend the Saving Native Species program is welcome, but overall nature funding remains far below what is needed to meet Australia’s environmental commitments, which will secure a healthy future for people and nature.

“Currently, just 0.1% of federal spending goes towards protecting Australia’s unique and vulnerable nature – far short of the minimum of 1% of the budget that’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%.”