Recent Updates

2025 was a big year for AEGN member advocacy – from state elections in WA and Tasmania through to the Federal election in May, and the settling in of the new  Parliament – it was all happening.

We continue to be inspired by the hard work, strategy, belief, and funding of AEGN members across the country as you have  stepped up and embraced advocacy as a tool for change. Here’s a snapshot of what we collectively delivered for the environment:  

• Overhauled Australia’s out of date environmental protection laws. In an historic first, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act now sees that native forest logging and agricultural deforestation will require proper assessment, and the reforms will fast-track environmentally responsible renewable energy projects which will greatly assist in accelerating Australia’s energy transition. You can hear more from Rachel Walmsley (Deputy Director,  Policy and Law Reform) in the recorded briefing from the Environmental Defenders Office. 
• Ended years of political protection for feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park. A seven-year campaign, led by the Invasive Species Council and backed by AEGN members, lead to the repeal by the NSW Government of the  Kosciuszko Wildhorse Heritage Act. Members utilised the AEGN network to raise awareness and share updates on the campaign, delivering collaborative and impactful funding. Read more here.
• Delivered a Great Koala National Park, which will include existing national park and add 176,000 hectares of what was formerly state forest creating the second biggest national park in NSW—it will be 500,000 hectares in total, home to more than 12,000 koalas. This win helps to safeguard forests from logging, capturing carbon and reducing emissions.
• Activated Northern Territory Field Trip attendees to engage in a series of advocacy letters in response to issues raised on the field trip, on topics including consultation with Traditional Owners on Country before issuing any licences under water allocation plans, Beetaloo fracking projects, federal government subsidies for Middle Arm expansion, reinstating Aboriginal Ranger grants.  
• Victoria announced a world-leading gas substitution roadmap to support households and businesses to replace polluting gas with electricity. While it’s not all smooth sailing and the Victorian Government has faced strong pushback from industry, the reforms will mean less pollution, cheaper power bills and more efficient homes for any Victorians.
• Chipped away with letters, meetings, submissions, webinars and more on a wide range of issues from salmon farm exemptions to the EPBC, federal budget process engagement, food security, setting expectations of the  philanthropic sector for the new parliament, giving fund reforms, climate litigation, protecting the right to peaceful protest, Freedom Of Information and whistleblowers, and state capture (to name a few!).