SPECIES UNDER THREAT FROM LABOR
7 Sep | '2025
ANGIE BELL MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
SHADOW MINISTER FOR YOUTH
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MONCRIEFF
7 September 2025
SPECIES UNDER THREAT FROM LABOR
Australia has one of the highest rates of flora and fauna extinctions in the world.
Since the Albanese Labor government came to office, 275 species have been newly listed as threatened bringing the total number to over 2,000.
Shadow Minister for the Environment, Angie Bell is alarmed by the increasing numbers of native flora and fauna being added to the threatened species list under Labor.
“The increased number of threatened native species is deeply concerning and I call on the Labor government to control invasive plants and animals, focus on habitat restoration and threatened species protection to preserve our native wildlife,” said Ms Bell.
“We are so lucky to have such a wonderful array of plants and animals that call Australia home and we must do all we can to preserve the biodiversity for these native species to thrive.
“The Northern Territory’s pig-nosed turtle is just one of many native icons under threat due to invasive pests and feral species.
“This peculiar creature, easily identifiable due to their pig-like nose, is facing significant habitat loss due to the invasive Asian Water Buffalo trampling nests, degrading riverbank vegetation and reducing the pig-nosed turtle’s food source.”
There are 42 species at risk of extinction within the next 10 to 20 years due to invasive species. They pose a significant threat to Australia’s biodiversity, ecosystem and environment.
The primary cause of extinction is due to invasive species and the current ‘Saving Native Species program’ funding is due to expire, creating a funding cliff that will halt projects and further jeopardise Australia’s native threatened species.
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Background:
- National Threatened Species Day is observed annually in Australia on September 7 to raise awareness about native Australian plants and animals at risk of extinction.
- September 7 also marks the day the Australia’s Tasmanian tiger became extinction.
- Australia is home to more than 500,000 species of flora and fauna.
- More than 100 plant and animal species have become extinct in the last 200 years.
- Australia is the worst country globally for mammal extinction.
- 275 species have been added to the List of Threatened Species since May 2022.
- Since May 2022, 59 species have been transferred to a higher category of threat (transferred from endangered to critically endangered; from vulnerable to critically endangered; or from vulnerable to endangered).
- Under the Coalition government, more than $660 million was mobilised for projects directly supporting outcomes for threatened species and ecological communities.
- The Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2021-2026 was a Coalition initiative and set practical actions and targets to improve the trajectory of threatened species and places.
Listed threatened species of fauna and flora, by category
| Category | Fauna | Flora |
| Extinct | Frogs – 4
Reptiles – 1 Birds – 22 Mammals – 39 Other animals – 1 |
35 |
| Extinct in the wild | Fishes – 1 | |
| Critically endangered | Fishes – 28
Frogs – 18 Reptiles – 27 Birds – 17 Mammals – 9 Other animals – 42 |
285 |
| Endangered | Fishes – 30
Frogs – 15 Reptiles – 37 Birds – 70 Mammals – 46 Other animals – 43 |
598 |
| Vulnerable | Fishes – 22
Frogs – 16 Reptiles – 31 Birds – 77 Mammals – 57 Other animals – 16 |
564 |
| Conservation dependent | Fishes – 7 | |
| Total | 676 | 1,482 |
- Source: ‘EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna’, SPRAT, DCCEEW; ‘EPBC Act List of Threatened Flora’, SPRAT, DCCEEW.