The Greens are urging the Albanese Government to stop approving new mines and developments in threatened species habitat to halt extinction and to establish a ‘climate trigger’ to assess the emissions of polluting projects.

The Greens’ push coincides with the long-awaited release of the State of the Environment Report. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“This Report is a devastating assessment of the state of Australia’s environment. It shows a litany of environmental wreckage fuelled by climate change and years of denial and neglect. 

The Federal Environment Minister must rule out approving the 27 new coal projects set to come across her desk according to analysis by the Sunrise Project, the Greens say.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Approving new coal and gas mines that pollute the environment and make climate change worse is a climate crime.

"The Environment Minister needs to stare down the fossil fuel lobby and take a stand for our environment. 

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese’s promise to deliver South Australia’s fair share of water under the Murray Darling Basin Plan is welcomed, however will only be delivered if buybacks are restored, the Greens have said today.

This scheme is critical to restoring water flows to the river and delivering 450GL to South Australia, and the Greens will be needed in the Senate to secure it.

The Morrison Government’s new Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Market Bill looks set to fail Australia’s environment despite promises to help ecosystem restoration, the Australian Greens have said today.

The Greens will refer the bill to a Senate inquiry for review and have called on the Labor Party to back an inquiry, before voting on the bill.

Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for the environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

The Auditor General’s report into threatened species paints a bleak picture for the survival of Australia’s koalas and wildlife, the Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has said today.

“The report by the Auditor General into the management of Australia’s threatened species and wildlife is a damning assessment of the Morrison Government’s treatment of our environment and native animals. 

The Government's announcement of $483m to fund the Urannah Dam, in close proximity to numerous existing and planned mining projects, is an undisguised investment in the expansion of the coal industry. 

The dam, in Joyce's own words, will provide water security for the nearby coal mining industry to grow into the future - even at a time when we need to urgently reduce emissions to avoid the impacts of climate change that parts of our country are currently experiencing. 

The Greens environment and water spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said:

The Government's announcement of a $128.5M environmental reform package is a blatant attempt to bypass environment protections and fast track mining project approvals.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Morrison Government’s announcement is a blatant attack on our environment and wildlife. This is all about putting the profits of big mining companies and greedy developers ahead of our environment and communities, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to greenlight projects that will destroy our environment and make the climate crisis worse.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the announcement the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has approved another new coal project, the third in a month:

“Australia’s so-called Environment Minister is at it again, approving another coal mine that will destroy the environment, endanger wildlife and pollute the climate. 

“Approving this coal mine a month out from the global climate summit in Glasgow shows a complete disregard by the Environment Minister for the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the Minister for Environment's proposal, released for public comment today, to not have recovery plans for 28 ecological communities and 157 threatened species:

“By seeking to rewrite the government’s obligations, the Minister is putting up the white flag on saving our wildlife and native plants. 

“Downgrading the level of obligation the on the Minister is downgrading the protection of our native animals and species.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the announcement the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has approved the Vickery coal mine expansion in NSW:

"This is a disastrous decision by the so-called Environment Minister. 

"Sussan Ley continues to do the bidding of fossil fuel industry and approve coal mines that damage the environment and pollute the planet. 

"The Environment Minister’s job should be protecting our environment and reducing pollution. Once again Sussan Ley proves she’s the Minister Against the Environment, not for.