JOINT STATEMENT

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment

The Honourable Cameron Dick

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs

The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

The 2022 State Budget will allocate almost $40 million to help protect Queensland’s native animals, including koalas at risk across the south-east.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said $24.6 million will support the further implementation of the Palaszczuk Government’s South East Queensland Koala Strategy 2020-2025.

“Koalas are one of Queensland’s most loved native species,” the Treasurer said.

“In the south-east we’re fortunate to have the highest concentration of koalas in our state, but they now face a number of key threats.

“That’s why the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 includes the strongest koala protections Queensland has ever seen, increasing both area and level of protection for our local koalas.

“This budget funding will underpin critical actions needed to help stop the decline of our koala population, protecting and restoring key koala habitats as we work towards increasing koala numbers over time.”

Minister for the Environment Meaghan Scanlon said koalas remain an integral part of Queensland’s natural environment and lifestyle.

“In addition to the significant expansion of koala habitat restoration programs, the Palaszczuk Government will target funding towards reducing the threat to koalas in identified hotspots,” Minister Scanlon said.

“We know Queenslanders love their koalas, which is why funding will also go towards the development of a sighting app.

"This will allow communities to collect important data on our koala populations.

“This budget will also invest in ongoing scientific research to protect koalas, and to develop solutions that will support on-ground conservation projects."

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Chief Veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne said the funding will go a long way in the fight to save threatened koalas in the south-east.

“Our wild koalas are at risk,” Dr Pyne said.

“This much needed contribution from the Queensland Government will help see more habitat restored, research and for support organisation to protects our koalas, including at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which see over 500 koalas every year.”  

Mr Dick said $14.7 million will also be invested to support Queensland’s Threatened Species Program, which assesses, protects and recovers Queensland species most at risk of extinction.

“Queensland is recognised internationally for its enormous global biodiversity, being home to thousands of species of national and global significance,” he said.

“This includes around 85 per cent of Australia’s mammals, 72 per cent of native birds, and more than 50 per cent of native reptiles and frogs.

“Unfortunately there are currently 1026 species (243 animals and 783 plants) listed as threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act.

“This funding will address three priority areas: recovery programs, policy, and threatened species assessment.”

Minister Scanlon said recovery programs are crucial for managing and conserving threatened species, but they rely on a coordinated response to be delivered effectively.

“We’ll be providing additional support to Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers, community groups, non-government organisations, land managers, and the research community,” Minister Scanlon said.

“There has never been a more urgent time for government to invest in the protection and recovery of its threatened species.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875 (Treasurer)

Francis Dela Cruz 0420 592 078 (Minister Scanlon)