Groundbreaking research has uncovered that the Australian Government is providing $26 billion per year in financial support to activities that harm the nation's unique natural environment, known as biodiversity-harmful subsidies.

The study used a best-practice OECD-developed method to identify subsidies, including cash payments and tax concessions, and evaluate the potential harm to nature from the activities that they support.

“We identified 36 separate subsidies for activities that are driving environmental decline, such as native forest logging, fossil fuel mining and projects that clear native vegetation,” said Mr Elton.

“They include $22.5 billion per year in direct payments from the government and an additional $3.8 billion per year in tax concessions, totalling $26.3 billion per year, based on 2022-23 data.

“This represents about 4% of the total federal budget. That is twice as much as the federal government invests in supporting government schools nationally, and 25 times more than they spend on looking after nature.

    • arbilp3@aussie.zoneOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      One positive is that the research is now in the open so it will be easier to monitor the flow of money. However, how it will be turned around to become fairer is not clear. At least knowing it allows conservation and other environment organisations to keep asking questions and demanding change.