More than 100 scientists have signed an open letter calling on the Albanese Government to use upcoming nature legislation reforms to end tree clearing in the Great Barrier Reef.
To the Prime Minister, Federal Environment Minister, and Members of the Albanese Government,
As researchers who study, document and work to recover Australia’s plants and animals, insects and ecosystems, we are keenly aware of the value of nature to Australians and the world.
Australia has one of the worst rates of deforestation globally. For every 100 hectares of native woodland cleared, about 2000 birds, 15,000 reptiles and 500 native mammals will die. As scientists and experts, we have sounded the alarm for more than 30 years that the large-scale destruction of native woodlands, forests, wetlands and grasslands was the single biggest threat to the nation’s biodiversity. That is still the case today, and it is driving an extinction crisis.
New figures show that Queensland continues to lead the nation in deforestation. The latest statewide landcover and trees study (SLATS) report shows that annually 44% of all deforestation in Queensland occurs in the Great Barrier Reef catchment areas, where over 140,000 hectares are bulldozed each year.
Deforestation in Great Barrier Reef catchments is devastating one of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders. When forests and bushland are bulldozed, erosion causes debris to wash into waterways, sending sediment, nutrients and pesticides into the Reef waters. This smothers coral, fuels crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and reduces water quality. These impacts compound the damage caused by repeated mass bleaching events driven by climate change.
The Great Barrier Reef sustains precious marine life, supports local and global biodiversity, and underpins tourism economies and coastal communities that rely on its survival. Continued mass deforestation threatens these values and could jeopardise the Reef’s World Heritage status. In 2026 the World Heritage Committee will review Australia’s progress in protecting the Reef and may consider placing it on the World Heritage in Danger list, if key threats to the Reef, including deforestation, are not addressed.
This mass deforestation happens due to a loophole in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, our national nature law.
Exemptions allow deforestation to continue largely unregulated by the EPBC Act through a grandfathering clause from 2000 known as “continuous use”. Without meaningful reform, deforestation will continue to drive massive biodiversity loss. This loophole must be closed as part of the proposed EPBC Act reforms. The law is meant to safeguard our wildlife and our most precious places like the Great Barrier Reef. Please support closing major deforestation loopholes in the EPBC Act as an urgent and priority issue for the Federal Government.
Sincerely,
| Professor James Watson, University of Queensland Dr. Michelle Ward Mandy Cheung Mr Lachlan Cross Timothy Ravasi Gillian Rowan Dr Graham R. Fulton, The University of Queensland Dr Alison Peel Dr James Richardson University of Queensland Luke Emerson, University of Newcastle Dr Hilary Pearl Dr Tina Parkhurst Dr Kerry Bridle Dr Tracy Schultz, Senior Research Fellow, University of Queensland Dr. Zachary Amir Prof David M Watson, Gulbali Institute, CSU Naomi Ploos van Amstel, PhD candidate David Schoeman Associate Professor Simone Blomberg, University of Queensland Professor Euan Ritchie, Deakin University Dr Ian Baird, Conservation Biologist Paul Elton (ANU) Melissa Billington Hayden de Villiers Professor Brett Murphy, Charles Darwin University Professor Sarah Bekessy Professor Anthony J. Richardson (University of Queensland) Prof. Winnifred Louis, University of Queensland Dr Yung En Chee, The University of Melbourne Dr Jed Calvert, postdoctoral research fellow in wetland ecology, University of Queensland A/Prof Daniel C Dunn, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland Lincoln Kern, Ecologist Professor Corey Bradshaw, Flinders University Dr. Viviana Gonzalez, The University of Queensland Prof. Helen Bostock Dr Leslie Roberson Bethany Kiss Assoc. Prof Diana Fisher, UQ, and co-chair of the IUCN Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group Dr Jacinta Humphrey, RMIT University Professor Mathew Crowther Christopher R. Dickman, Professor Emeritus, The University of Sydney Fiona Hoegh-Guldberg, RMIT University Dr Bertram Jenkins Dr Daniela ParraFaundes Dr Jessica Walsh Dr. GABRIELLA scata – marine biologist, wildlife protector Katherine Robertson Professor Jane Williamson, Macquarie University William F. Laurance, Distinguished Professor, James Cook University A/Prof Deb Bower Dr Leslie Roberson, University of Queensland Ms Jasmine Hall, Senior Research Assistant in Coastal Wetland Biogeochemistry, Ecology and Management, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Dr Kita Ashman, Adjunct Research Associate, Charles Sturt University Genevieve Newey | Matt Hayward Jessie Moyses Natalya Maitz, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Christina Ritchie Liana van Woesik, PhD Student, University of Queensland Benjamin Lucas, PhD Researcher A/Prof. Carissa Klein, The University of Queensland Conrad Pratt, PhD Student, University of Queensland Dr Ascelin Gordon, RMIT University Professor Nicole Graham, The University of Sydney Professor Murray Lee, University of Sydney Law School Dr Tracy Schultz, Snr Research Fellow, University of Queensland Libby Newton (PhD candidate, Sydney Law School) Hannah Thomas, University of Queensland Professor Richard Kingsford, Director of the Centre for Ecoystem Science, UNSW Sydney Dr Anna Hopkins Lena van Swinderen, PhD candidate at the University of Queensland Professor Jodie Rummer, James Cook University Dr Nita Lauren, Lecturer, RMIT University Dr Christina Zdenek Madeline Davey Dr Rachel Killean, Sydney Law School Dr. Sofía López-Cubillos Dr Claire LarrouxDr Alice Twomey, The University of Queensland Zoe Gralton Dr Robyn Gulliver Ryan Borrett, Murdoch University Adjunct Prof. Paul Lawrence, Griffith University, Brisbane Qld Professor Susan Park, University of Sydney Dr Holly Kirk, Curtin University Deakin Distinguished Professor Marcel Klaassen Dr Megan Evans, UNSW Canberra Dr Amanda Irwin, The University of Sydney Dr Keith Cardwell Professor Don Driscoll, Deakin University Susan Bengtson Nash Distinguished Professor David Lindenmayer Dr Madelyn Mangan, University of Queensland Dr Isabella Smith Geoff Lockwood Dr Paula Peeters, Paperbark Writer Prof Cynthia Riginos, University of Queensland Dr. Sankar Subramanian Associate Professor Zoe Richards Dr Jessie Wells, The University of Melbourne Professor Gretta Pecl AM, University of Tasmania Dr April Reside, The University of Queensland Oriana Licul-Milevoj (Ecologist) Dr Yves-Marie Bozec, University of Queensland Dr Julia Hazel Dr Judit K. Szabo Ana Ulloa Dr Andreas Dietzel Philip Spark – North West Ecological Services Jonathan Freeman Dr/ Mohamed Mohamed Rashad |
Header image: Watch on Nature, Wilderness Society