The discussion paper seems…

The discussion paper seems to focus on relaxing protections for endangered species rather than enhancing protection. This is distressing for the fate of our endangered species since a number of exemptions have already been given to industry. Extending timelines for the processes required to protect and report on results of endangered species protection will only reduce protections required to support endangered species. Instead adequate resources should be provided to ensure that assessment reports, recovery strategies, government response statements, habitat regulations and five year progress reviews are completed in a timely manner.

It is proposed that the Minister be given discretion to remove automatic protection for a threatened or endangered species at risk. This would reverse the science based process of classifying species at risk making the fate of species susceptible to political pressure.

The discussion paper proposes that an applicant be allowed to pay into a conservation fund rather than implement site specific measures to provide overall benefit to the species at risk. This proposal is worrisome since it is not evident that the species at risk would benefit from this.

Overall the discussion paper does not give due consideration to the importance of protecting endangered species and is more concerned with "streamlining" processes rather than putting emphasis on species protection.