Koalas are among the winners in a federal budget claiming to pave the way to environmental protection.
Tuesday’s economic blueprint contains $1.8 billion for the environment.
Almost $97 million over four years will be spent on addressing gaps in a long-term plan to preserve the Great Barrier Reef.
The money will go towards helping commercial fishers minimise their impact on protected species, investigating blue carbon and other restoration techniques, and on reef monitoring efforts.
The measure forms part of a $1.2 billion program to protect and restore the reef.
Conservation efforts to save the koala from extinction and protect its habitat will receive $57 million over six years.
An extra $66.5 million will be set aside to support Indigenous Protected Areas, which the government said will help meet Labor’s promise of conserving 30 per cent of land and ocean by the end of the decade.
The government’s threatened species action plan aims to prevent any further extinctions, with a $224.5 million commitment.
Efforts to control invasive gamba grass from damaging ecosystems and preventing its spread into Kakadu National Park will receive $9.8 million.
And $24.8 million is earmarked for the management of yellow crazy ants in Cairns and Townsville, including the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
The protection of cultural and Indigenous heritage sites will receive $14.7 million.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek described the government’s spend as a “down payment” on strong action.
“The budget will allow us to get to work on protecting, restoring and better managing our natural environment,” she said.
“We don’t have time to waste if we are going to reverse the decline.”
Australian Conservation Foundation spokeswoman Freya Cole said there was a long way to go tackling the climate and extinction crisis.
“Scientists have told us time and time again that at least $1.69 billion is needed annually to tackle the extinction crisis in Australia and this budget … does not have anywhere near enough funding,” she said.
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