🛑 Breaking News: Labor and Liberal Just Signed an Endangered Species' Death Warrant

Today, in a dark moment for environmental protection in Australia, the Labor and Liberal parties joined forces in our Parliament to pass legislation that effectively dooms the critically endangered Maugean skate.

But this isn't just about a strange, flat fish in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It’s a signal that endangered species can - and will - be sacrificed when corporate lobbying and marginal seat politics come knocking. It’s a harbinger of what’s to come unless we stand up now.

What just happened?

The Albanese Government, with support from the Coalition, passed new laws to block federal environment ministers from revisiting old environmental approvals, no matter how outdated the original science was or devastating the impacts.

That’s right. Even if evidence emerges that a species is sliding toward extinction - like the Maugean skate - ministers will be legally prevented from acting if the project was approved more than five years ago.

Why? In this case to protect dirty and foreign-owned salmon farming companies in marginal Tasmanian electorates.

The Maugean Skate: Ancient, Endangered, and Abandoned

The Maugean skate is a rare and ancient species found nowhere else on Earth but Macquarie Harbour. It's been around for tens of millions of years but is now being smothered - literally - by pollution from dirty industrial salmon farms.

Salmon farming is creating marine dead zones in the skate's habitat. It's population has already plummeted by 47%.

But instead of shutting down the dirty farms and investing in sustainability, the government has fast-tracked legislation to legalise the harm. And the Liberals are behind it 100%.

Bob Brown Foundation: Tireless Advocates for a Silent Species

The Bob Brown Foundation has worked tirelessly to raise the alarm. Their marine scientists, campaigners, and legal teams have exposed the damage salmon farming is doing - not just to the Maugean skate but to Tasmania's entire marine ecosystem. They've stood in courtrooms, marched in the streets, and led public education campaigns. And yet today, they were betrayed by the very institutions meant to protect the environment.

Dr Bob Brown said it clearly: "This is not democracy, it’s a sell-out."

It’s Not Just About One Species

This moment matters because it opens the floodgates. The new laws don’t just threaten the Maugean skate - they undermine all of Australia’s environmental protections.

Here’s why this is a national emergency:

🟠 Sets a precedent: If a government can block intervention to save one critically endangered species, it can do the same for others.

🟠 Emboldens polluters: Other companies now know they can lobby for similar carve-outs.

🟠 Guts the EPBC Act: Australia’s cornerstone environmental law - the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 0 is already weak. This just made it weaker.

🟠 Erodes public trust: Decisions based on science are being replaced with decisions based on donations, lobbying, and votes.

We Must Respond - Loudly and Now

It’s time to send a message to Labor and Liberal MPs across the country: You will not get our vote if you continue to side with dirty profits over Country.

📞 Call your local Labor or Liberal MP

Tell them you’re outraged. Tell them that by sacrificing the Maugean skate, they’ve lost your trust. And your vote.

🗳 Pledge to vote for credible independents

Support candidates who genuinely care about biodiversity, climate, and democracy.

📢 Amplify this message

Share this blog. Tag your MP. Use the hashtags #SaveTheSkate #RealClimateAction #NoMoreExtinctions

Extinction of the Maugean skate should not go unnoticed. Let it be a line in the sand - a rallying point for everyone who cares about nature, justice, and truth.

Albo and has mates may have signed a death warrant today. But we, the people, are the ones with the power to stop the killing - at the ballot box.