Australia’s promise to protect 30% of the country’s nature, wildlife and landscapes has been boosted following a federal government announcement today of a 4.7 million hectare Indigenous Protected Area in the Simpson Desert. 

The promise is, however, at risk of being broken if much greater investment does not occur in the 2027 federal budget, a national alliance of conservation organisations said today. 

The 30 by 30 Alliance welcomed the announcement and it marking a milestone of 25 per cent of the nation’s land now protected. 

An additional $750 million for nature protection in the next federal budget is now essential if the promise to protect 30% of Australia’s land mass is to be kept and the nation’s unique nature, wildlife and iconic landscapes are safeguarded. 

Many of Australia’s fragile ecosystems are at risk of collapse and remain unprotected. To meet the 30% promise, significant additional investment through the 2027 federal budget is essential to provide the incentives, funds for land purchases and long term management for conservation on public and private land. 

Jason Lyddieth, 30 by 30 Alliance Lead:   
 
“Reaching 25 per cent protected land is a significant achievement and demonstrates what can be accomplished when governments, Indigenous communities, conservation organisations and landholders work together. 
 
“This shows Australia is making meaningful progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and our commitment to protect 30 per cent of Australia’s land by 2030 (30 by 30). But it also highlights the scale of the task ahead. 

“Australia still needs to protect around another 39 million hectares of land by 2030 if we are to honour that commitment. This won’t happen without a significant and urgent increase in investment. 

“Despite nature underpinning our economy, food security and wellbeing, less than 0.1 per cent of the federal budget is currently invested in protecting Australia’s unique and threatened natural environment. 
 
“That’s why we’re calling on the Australian Government to commit an additional $750 million for nature protection in the next Federal Budget, as the key towards delivering the long-term goal of investing at least 1% of the federal budget in nature to secure a healthy future for people and wildlife.”