Justin Field MLC
  • News (current)
  • Issues
    Climate Change CSG Moratorium Bill Fire Moratorium on Logging Now
  • About Justin
  • Take Action
    Sign a petition
  • Shoalhaven and South Coast
    Shoalhaven and South Coast Media Local Issues

Calls for Independent investigation and review of NSW biodiversity offset scheme following reports of profiteering and conflicts of interest

Calls for Independent investigation and review of NSW biodiversity offset scheme following reports of profiteering and conflicts of interest
16 April 2021

Independent NSW MLC Justin Field has called on the NSW Government to commit to an independent investigation into the state’s biodiversity offset scheme following revelations in the Guardian that consultants advising the Government on major developments had made windfall profits buying land to obtain and sell biodiversity conservation offset credits back to the Government.

Independent NSW MLC Justin Field said, "The allegations raised in the media today should be independently investigated by the Auditor General as part of a thorough review of the entire biodiversity offsetting scheme in NSW. 

"It is totally unacceptable that consultants with specialised inside knowledge of a process are able to make windfall profits from public money. This is money that now won’t be available for further investments in biodiversity protection. 

“There are either fundamental problems with the scheme in terms of addressing conflicts of interest or the wrong thing has been done. The internal investigation promised by the Government is not enough, it needs to be independent. 

The revelations come just as the NSW Government is consulting on changes to how offset credits and developer charges are calculated with a plan to reduce transparency in those calculations. 

“Any changes to the scheme should be paused until a thorough independent review is completed. 

"We need to step back and ask if the currently biodiversity offset scheme is even fit for purpose in terms of protecting biodiversity. 

"Australia is in the grip of an extinction crisis, driven in large part by the loss of habitat through land clearing and development. You cannot offset your way out of that crisis and allow a continual loss of habitat which is what this offset scheme allows. 

"It's time we had biodiversity protection laws that drew a clear line in the sand and protected what is important as well as investing in the regeneration of degraded land," Mr Field said.

Share Tweet

Continue Reading

Narrabri Underground coal expansion approval will drive further climate catastrophe

1 Apr 2022

Independent MP seeks to rule out future compensation for floodplain harvesting irrigators

1 Apr 2022

Independent MP calls on NSW Forestry Minister to halt plans to extend North Coast logging contracts

1 Apr 2022

NSW Legislative Council disallows floodplain harvesting regulations for third time

25 Feb 2022

Show all posts

Authorised by J. Field, NSW Parliament, Macquarie Street Sydney

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country as the first inhabitants, and the custodians of the lands where we live and work. We pay tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and give respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

 

Contact Us

Created with  NationBuilder