Federal Member for Gippsland and Nationals Deputy Leader Darren Chester has called for a major shift in Australia’s environmental priorities, arguing that invasive species — not climate activism — remain the greatest threat to biodiversity in rural and regional areas.
Mr Chester said pest plants and animals continue to cause widespread damage across the country and warned that more practical, on-the-ground action is needed to protect both agriculture and native ecosystems.
“Lost in the commentary of green extremists is one simple fact: the greatest threat to biodiversity is the pest plants and animals which continue to impact vast areas of rural and regional Australia,” he said.
Mr Chester said the Federal Government should redirect focus from international climate summits towards domestic environmental management, citing CSIRO research which estimates invasive species cost Australia more than $25 billion in lost agricultural production each year and are a leading factor in native species extinction risk.
He said regional Australia needed a “positive environmental agenda” centred on science-based, practical solutions that also deliver local employment.
“Regional Australia needs its own positive environmental agenda which focuses on practical outcomes, science-led solutions and delivering the jobs our communities need,” he said.
The Gippsland MP said farmers, Landcare and Coastcare volunteers, trappers and hunters were the “real environmentalists” doing much of the frontline work in pest and weed control, revegetation and land restoration.
“As a nation, we need more boots and less suits,” Mr Chester said.
“That’s more boots on the ground in the regions undertaking practical environmental projects like invasive species control, and less suits in the cities making excuses for the lack of action.”
He argued governments should work more closely with states, natural resource management bodies and landholders to deliver coordinated, long-term programs targeting invasive species such as pigs, deer, feral cats, rabbits, foxes, carp, wild dogs, fire ants and pest weeds.
Mr Chester also called for more stable funding models, saying current support is often short-term and reliant on ad hoc grant programs.
“Negotiating a partnership with willing states to lock in long-term funding for control programs and natural resource management roles will deliver the environmental outcomes and sustainable jobs our younger voters are demanding,” he said.
He said the Federal Budget should place greater emphasis on biocontrol measures and practical land management projects, which he argued would both protect the environment and support regional communities that underpin Australia’s food security.
