Rebel ex-MP says Coalition will pay at the polls for reigniting koala wars

A former NSW Liberal who was punished by her party for opposing a “koala war” bill says the state government’s push to ease land-clearing rules will cost it dearly at the March 25 election.

Former upper house MP Catherine Cusack, who stepped down from Parliament earlier this year, said the Coalition was “screwing up” on the issue of protecting koalas and that the Nationals deserved to be “removed from power” because of it.

“I find the entire lazy exploitative relationship between Liberals and Nationals is not to be trusted,” she said. “They keep screwing up on this issue, angering koala advocates. The Liberals’ pattern of allowing Nationals to accelerate destruction of habitat in exchange for peace and discipline in the Coalition is, in my opinion, going to prove costly.

“The Liberals persistently choosing Nationals over koalas is highly likely to lead voters to choose teals over Liberals, and Labor over the Coalition.”

Her comments come amid a flare-up in the state’s long running “koala wars”. A controversial Nationals bill that would have made it easier for private landowners to remove trees on their properties was withdrawn on Monday in an embarrassing U-turn for the government.

Opponents said the bill would have had disastrous consequences for the state’s koala population and it was pronounced dead after a key crossbencher in the upper house would not support it.

Several government MPs had reportedly also indicated they would oppose the bill, leading opponents to scratch their heads over why the Coalition had decided to push for it. 

“I’m perplexed as to why they would do such a divisive thing in the last week of Parliament,” Labor’s environment spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said. “The government has made two attempts at it, and they’ve pulled it for now. But if you read their statement, it says they’ll continue to consult on it. If they’re reelected next year, you know this issue will be back.” 

Cusack agreed the government would likely try the issue again if reelected: “I do not want to be fighting the Nationals a third time [on this issue]. The only way to prevent a future battle is to remove them from power altogether. It is exhausting for everyone, fighting this over and over again. Everyone is fed up with the Nationals and the small number of greedy businesses pulling their strings on habitat.”

A Nationals member who requested anonymity to speak candidly said the bill had “nothing to do with koalas” and was aimed at ensuring timber supply and rural jobs without burdening local councils.

“Those ill-disciplined, soft, city-based Liberals who threatened to cross the floor didn’t understand the policy, and didn’t seek to consult on the ground,” they said. “They caved under the smallest amount of pressure and it just demonstrates how weak they are.”

Agriculture Minister and Nationals MP Dugald Saunders said in his second reading speech last Wednesday that the bill would take a “balanced approach [to] ensure that private native forestry continues to balance the dual aims of protecting biodiversity and supporting the timber industry, while reducing the regulatory burdens on landholders”. 

Environment Minister James Griffin, a Liberal whose seat of Manly could be vulnerable to an independent teal challenger, declined to directly support the bill in question time. Instead he highlighted a budget package for environmental initiatives worth $2 billion. 

“As part of that, the state will make the biggest investment in koalas in the nation by providing $190 million,” he said last week. “A critical part of that will go to critical koala habitat conservation.” 

A Nationals push to change rules around land clearing two years ago almost blew up the NSW Coalition after then party leader John Barilaro threatened to move his MPs to the crossbench. 

Cusack killed that 2020 bill by crossing the floor to oppose it, angering then premier Gladys Berejiklian who punished her by sacking her from a role as parliamentary secretary.

Koalas are listed as endangered in NSW, and the state’s environment agency says “loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat” is one of its top threats. 

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said two-thirds of the state’s koalas lived on private land and protecting their habitat was crucial: “This bill would have spelled the end to koalas in NSW. I think the Nationals wanted to see if they could get away with it. They’re desperate to appease the logging industry.”  

Saunders said in his Monday night statement the government would “continue to have further conversations with local councils to progress legislation that unites communities and industry”.

“There is significant public interest in this bill that warrants further consultation,” he added. 

The state Parliament will sit for three days this week, and has put aside three days next week when MPs could meet again if necessary. After that, Parliament won’t sit again until after the election. 

The government MPs who had reportedly threatened to vote against the bill included the Liberal MP for Sydney’s North Shore Felicity Wilson who, like Griffin, would be vulnerable to a possible teal challenge, and the Nationals MP for Tweed, Geoff Provest.

Upper house independent Fred Nile said he would oppose the bill because he supported “local decisions being made about local issues”.

“Local communities should be empowered to make independent decisions regarding their local environment,” he said. “I am greatly concerned that this bill will set a legislative precedent winding back the role of local government in NSW.

“I acknowledge and respect the sacred nature of koalas to Aboriginal Australians as totems. The koala is also a much loved and iconic native animal that is known throughout the entire world … I would seek to protect their habitats rather than create the conditions for their potential loss.”

Climate 200 founder and teal backer Simon Holmes à Court told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier in the week that the NSW government had handed independents a “gift” by reopening the debate around koalas and land clearing so close to the election.

Whose side are you on, the Nats or the koalas? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.