Former Australian Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has issued a stark warning, declaring the nation's environmental laws 'broken' and in desperate need of reform. In a recent interview, Henry emphasised that current legislation fails to safeguard Australia's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
A System in Crisis
Henry, who chaired a major review of Australia's environmental protection framework, argued that existing laws are outdated and ineffective. 'The system isn't just struggling - it's fundamentally not fit for purpose,' he stated.
Key Failures Identified
- Inadequate protection for threatened species
- Lack of coordination between federal and state governments
- Failure to address cumulative environmental impacts
- Insufficient climate change considerations
Call for Comprehensive Reform
The economist-turned-conservationist stressed that piecemeal adjustments won't suffice. 'We need a complete rewrite of environmental legislation, not just tinkering at the edges,' Henry insisted.
He highlighted how Australia's current approach often leads to reactive rather than proactive environmental management, with devastating consequences for native wildlife and habitats.
The Path Forward
Henry proposed several critical changes needed in any new legal framework:
- Stronger national environmental standards
- Independent oversight body with enforcement powers
- Proper funding for conservation initiatives
- Integration of Indigenous ecological knowledge
The call comes as Australia faces increasing international scrutiny over its environmental record, particularly regarding habitat destruction and species extinction rates.
