ALCA's submission demonstrates the economic case for increased effort and investment in protecting, managing, and restoring Queensland’s nature. The limited additional environmental protections being afforded under the EPBC Act amendments should be embraced rather than resisted, and should be complemented by Queensland Government investment in nature to further safeguard the social and economic prosperity of its communities.
49% of Australia’s GDP is moderately or heavily reliant upon nature, and natural capital stocks are foundational to Australia’s ongoing level of economic productivity and prosperity.
However, national discussions about productivity rarely consider the impacts of the accelerating decline of Australia’s nature and stock of natural capital. Historically, Commonwealth and State governments –including the Queensland Government – have failed to systematically forecast the impacts of this decline upon productivity and economic growth.
Fundamentally, Queensland and Australia’s decline in natural capital stocks can only be overcome by remedying the underinvestment in nature by business and government.
