This week I spoke in partial support of the Nature Repair Market Bill 2023 and Consequential Amendments Bill. The fundamental principles of the Bills mirror a Coalition policy from 2022 which creates a biodiversity stewardship market that financially rewards landholders who restore, protect and enhance their local environment. However, Labor’s Bills extend the market beyond just agricultural lands, ignoring research and consultation the Coalition had done in collaboration with the ANU. This change to the stewardship market (and others I outline in my speech) needs further scrutiny and the Coalition supports the move for the Bills to be reviewed by the Senate Environment and Communications Committee.
