Federal government accused of watering down proposal to protect Australia’s threatened species and ecosystems

Green groups have accused the Albanese government of watering down a proposal to protect threatened species and ecosystems. National environmental standards were the key plank of reforms to Australia’s nature laws, passed by the parliament in November. The government has been consulting on a draft standard for projects of national environmental significance, including endangered wildlife, world heritage areas and the great barrier reef. Environmentalists have criticised the latest draft which they say removes the requirement for developments to meet specific environmental objectives. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Changes to the draft standard, released Thursday, would mean developers would be considered to have met the objectives if they follow certain processes or “principles” in their environmental assessments – rather than directly demonstrating the required environmental outcomes can be met. The Wilderness Society said the changes undermined the intent of national standards, which was to reverse the decline of plants, animals and ecosystems. “The draft standard is a step backwards and will not protect wildlife from extinction or stop the destruction of forests,” biodiversity policy and campaign manager, Melanie Audrey, said. Audrey said the draft standard for matters of national environmental significance was “riddled with weak language, loopholes and fails to set clear red lines to protect nature”. …