NT Environment Minister Kate Worden flags biodiversity laws for the first time as experts push for urgent reform

A bold election promise could mean that the Territory is no longer the only place in Australia without clear biodiversity laws. See why 20+ experts have called for urgent reforms to protect our natural beauty.

Labor NT Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Kate Worden and CLP opposition Environment spokeswoman Jo Hersey.

The Territory’s birds, bugs, mammals, plants, frogs and crocs could be given clear legal protections for the first time under a Labor election promise to strengthen biodiversity laws.

Environment Minister Kate Worden has committed to developing the Territory’s biodiversity protections including through legislation, 200 days out from the August election.

“This will incorporate ongoing collaboration with Aboriginal Territorians to integrate their knowledge, incentivising actions to protect our biodiversity, and measures to ensure the Territory is well positioned to adapt to climate change,” Ms Worden said.

It comes as 27 of Australia’s leading science and conservation experts have challenged the government to overhaul its environmental protection laws, which have been labelled woefully inadequate.

Kate Worden, speaks during National Police Remembrance Day 2023 in Darwin on September 29, 2023. Photo by PEMA TAMANG PAKHRIN

In a joint letter to Chief Minister Eva Lawler on Monday, the environmental experts called for the government to develop specific biodiversity conservation legislation, long-term catchment management and conservation planning and a NT Biodiversity Strategy.

It stated that the current Environmental Protection Act did not address the major threats to the Territory’s natural wonders, such as land clearing, pests, weeds, fire and climate change.

“The NT can still avoid the catastrophic mistake of too much land clearing and inappropriate development that has left a legacy of destroyed ecosystems and permanently depleted fauna in other states,” it said.

Currently, the Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia without native vegetation law, specific biodiversity conservation legislation, State of the Environment reporting, an NT-wide biodiversity strategy or threatened species policy.

Alongside the election promise to review biodiversity laws, Ms Worden confirmed that a State of the Environment reporting process was expected to be finalised later this year.

Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey this was the first time the government had admitted that biodiversity laws needed to be fixed.

“We welcome that, but we would like to see far greater clarity about exactly what it is they’re committing to,” Dr Howey said.

However Ms Worden appeared to back away from comprehensive land clearing reform, emphasising that only 1 per cent of the NT had been cleared — unlike 54 per cent of NSW and 66 per cent of Victoria.

Kirsty Howey from the Environment Centre NT talks about conflicts of interest in the NT's water licencing regime. Picture: Glenn Campbell

One of the joint letter signatories and Charles Darwin University Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Professor Brett Murphy said precisely because the NT was home to “some of the most pristine and ecologically intact landscapes on Earth” there was an even greater need to legislate protections.

“Our natural landscapes and biodiversity are increasingly under threat, and we need stronger laws to protect them,” Professor Murphy said.

The CLP has not committed to the environmental protection reforms, stating that balancing the environment with economic growth “does not require additional laws or regulation”.

“We need decisive action to propel our economy forward while preserving our unique environment and lifestyle,” Opposition Environment spokeswoman Jo Hersey said.

Ms Hersey said a CLP government would “streamline” project approvals, with an aim to cut regulatory timelines by 50 per cent — a commitment that has concerned Dr Howey.

“While no one would criticise the need for efficient approvals, it’s really important that arbitrary decisions aren’t made and that such streamlining come at the expense of proper and rigorous regulatory scrutiny and public participation,” Dr Howey said.

Opposition Environment spokeswoman Jo Hersey. Picture: Sierra Haigh

“As it stands we’re seeing companies taking shortcuts, we’re seeing decisions by the government that don’t pass the sniff test.”

“If things were done properly to start with, and the public had confidence in regulatory protections that were being put in place, then it would avoid the need for any (court) action.”

Ms Hersey called the failed attempt to block the Santos Barossa pipeline and criticism of the Environmental Defenders Office a “wakeup call to environmental activists acting as economic vandals”.

However, Dr Howey said ability for the community to challenge potentially unjust government decisions through the courts was “absolutely essential for a functioning democracy”.

The bullet point summary was created with the assistance of AI technology (PaLM2) then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as NT Environment Minister Kate Worden flags biodiversity laws for the first time as experts push for urgent reform