Biodiversity
Aim: Conserve and protect Australia's terrestrial and marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
PRIORITIES
- Develop a consistent national approach to reversing biodiversity decline in important ecosystems and ecologically significant communities.
- Manage Commonwealth reserves in accordance with internationally agreed principles.
- Develop a comprehensive environmental information base.
- Develop marine bioregional plans to guide ministerial and government decision-making and support the identification of the marine protected areas in Commonwealth waters.
- To continue our efforts to reform the International Whaling Commission into a truly
21st Century conservation-focused organisation while maintaining best practice cetacean management in Australian waters.
The minister's work under biodiversity includes:
Caring for Our Country
The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to achieve a real and measurable difference to Australia's environment. Caring for our Country is investing funds to improve strategic outcomes across six national priority areas: the National Reserve System; biodiversity and natural icons; coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats; sustainable farm practices; natural resource management in northern and remote Australia and community skills, knowledge and engagement.
Parks Australia
Parks Australia supports the Director of National Parks, a federal statutory authority, to conserve Australia's biodiversity and cultural heritage. It administers the Australian Government's policy and regulations on access and benefit-sharing of biological resources. Australian Government parks and reserves include six national parks (three jointly managed with traditional owners) and two botanic gardens.
Marine
The minister is responsible for leading and contributing to Australia's international engagement on marine conservation issues. His department provides policy advice on marine conservation, administers relevant legislation and implements the Australian Government's marine programs.
Work in this area includes the development of marine bioregional plans, the creation and management of marine protected areas, marine species conservation, cetacean conservation (whales and dolphins) and leadership on environmental biosecurity matters.
LATEST NEWS
- Transcript: Question without notice: Oceans- 4 June 2013
- Media release: Greg Hunt all at sea on marine reserves - 2 June 2013
- Media release: World Indigenous Network takes to the international stage - 27 May 2013
- Media release: Traditional owners lead collaborative marine management - 26 May 2013
- Media release: World Indigenous Network Conference to tackle bid environment issues - 25 May 2013
- Media release: Indigenous Rangers of the world visit Australia - 22 May 2013
- Media release: Supporting Traditional Owners to protect turtles and dugongs - 22 May 2013
- Transcript: Press conference: Cattle grazing in National Parks in Queensland - 16 May 2013
- Transcript: Dedication of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Protected Area Dubuji picnic ground, Cape Tribulation - 8 May 2013
- Media release: Working together to protect the Daintree - 8 May 2013
- Media release: Super trawler stopped again - 26 April 2013
- Media release: Successful Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund projects announced - 24 April 2013
Caring for our Country
- Media release: Creating a refuge along the famous Canning Stock Route - 23 April 2013
- Media release: Gillard Government supports groups to protect Australia's natural resources - 23 April 2013
- Media release: Indigenous grants program supports sustainable use of marine resources - 23 November 2012
- Media release: Protecting critically endangered habitat in South Australia - 16 August 2012
- Media release: Gillard Government supports projects to protect our environment - 23 July 2012
- Media release: Funds secured for assault on killer rats - 15 July 2012
- Media release: Public consultation opens for next phase of Caring for our Country - 21 June 2012
- Media release: Australia announces global indigenous network - 21 June 2012
- Media release: Operation to protect migrating whales - 26 May 2012
- Media release: Grants for sea country management announced today - 17 May 2012
Parks Australia
- Media release: Sydney Harbour joins National Landscapes - 19 February 2013
- Media release: Uluru wins top tourism award - 18 February 2013
- Media release: Taking Tasmania's wild beauty to the world - 3 October 2012
- Media release: Australia's largest land conservation area - ever - 10 July 2012
- Media release: Fish River - Conservation helps close the gap - 6 October 2011
- Media release: WWF praise for Australia's natural safety net - 6 July 2011
- Media release: Uluru tourism plan maps out exciting directions - 13 October 2010
- Director of National Parks media releases
Marine
- Transcript: Question without notice: Oceans- 4 June 2013
- Media release: Liberal Party threatens the future of our oceans - 3 June 2013
- Media release: Greg Hunt all at sea on marine reserves - 2 June 2013
- Media release: Australia working to protect the international marine environment - 16 May 2013
- Media release: Sir Richard Branson Launches Australian Government's Oceans Video - 10 May 2013
- Media release: Super trawler stopped again - 26 April 2013
- Media release: Australia's successful Antarctic blue whale voyage - 27 February 2013
- Media release: Marine Park Management Plans finalised - 12 March 2013
- Statement: Statement from Tony Burke on the Super Trawler - 6 March 2013
- Media release: Super trawler stopped again - 25 February 2013
- Transcript: Interview with Michael Rowland and Karina Carvalho, ABC News Breakfast - 21 February 2013