Title:
A WIN-WIN-WIN: HOW ABORIGINAL PEOPLE, KOALAS AND ALL OF AUSTRALIA BENEFIT FROM GREATER GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN INDIGENOUS ECOLOGICAL EXPERTISE

Authors:
Dr Adam Paul Heaton ,Australia

Abstract:
Following the most recent 2019-20 Australian bushfires, the koala is under peril. The ecological knowledge and expertise of Aboriginal people, currently largely underutilised, is imperative for their survival. This paper presents the authors’ response to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Amendment (Save the Koala) Bill 2021under consideration by the Australian Senate. His response supports the intention of the Bill to prohibit the Minister from approving activity that would lead to the further destruction of koala habitat. He argues that in all aspects of protecting Australia’s natural environment, the traditional knowledge and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ecological experts, community representatives and organisations, particularly Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCOs), must be drawn upon. Genuine partnership between Federal, State, Territory and Local Governments and these Indigenous experts, community representatives and organisationsis essential for improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Saving the koalais in the best interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are the nation’s traditional custodians, all Australians and, of course, koalas themselves.