Australia's wildlife is in grave danger, with volunteers left to pick up the pieces as the country grapples with the climate crisis, devastating fires, and floods. The situation has sparked calls for urgent action, with advocates pushing for tougher national rules to protect vulnerable species. The former Treasury boss, Ken Henry, is leading the charge, warning that the risks to wildlife could reach a critical point of no return. Henry, who gained attention for his five-week leave to care for a rare northern hairy-nosed wombat, is now the chair of Wildlife Recovery Australia. He is advocating for a coordinated national approach to wildlife protection, which is currently patchy across states and territories. The proposal aims to address the biodiversity decline and fund services such as veterinary treatment and long-term rehabilitation for animals, many of which are currently provided by volunteers. The soaring demand for wildlife rescue is driven by climate change and habitat destruction, with volunteers responding to over 320,000 calls for help last financial year. However, the current system leaves the responsibility for injured animals on the community, with practicing vets in some states legally obliged to treat wildlife without compensation. This has led to a tipping point for the volunteer workforce, with advocates arguing that government investment is essential to ensure the survival of vulnerable species. The Albanese government is under pressure to act, with a major overhaul of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act already secured. The changes will introduce new environmental standards, faster project assessments, and a new environmental protection agency. As the federal budget approaches, the question remains: will the government rise to the challenge and provide the necessary support to protect Australia's precious wildlife?
