Last week, my Government announced the next major step towards creating the Great Koala National Park in northern NSW. 

The park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000 hectare wildlife reserve. It will be one of the largest reserves in NSW.

When it’s up and running, the park will be a fantastic place to visit, both from local tourists and people from around the world. 

It’s impossible to imagine Australia without koalas. They are one of our nation’s most iconic creatures. But without action, they are on track to be extinct in the wild in NSW by 2050. 

Which is why, at the last election, we promised to protect them by establishing this Great Koala National Park.

The park will protect more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 Greater Gliders and provide habitat for over 100 other threatened species.

We acknowledge that this will have an impact on parts of the forestry industry, where a moratorium on logging has already begun. 

We are listening to those communities carefully and respectfully, and we are making sure workers, businesses and communities are supported every step of the way.

We are providing comprehensive assistance for impacted businesses and workers, including Job Keeper-style payments to support workers by covering salaries and financial assistance to businesses’ operating costs.

We are also investing $6 million to increase new opportunities for tourism and small businesses on the Mid North Coast, with the package to be developed in consultation with local communities to grow jobs and investment as the park is being established.

On top of that, we are putting an extra $60 million into the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to support the establishment of the park.

Last week’s announcement follows extensive consultation with industry and community stakeholders and a comprehensive expert assessment process. 

These old-growth forests are among the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, home to more than 100 threatened species, and some of the most beautiful wildlife in this state. 

Unfortunately, the Liberal Party has refused to support the park, while the National party sought to destroy it.

Previously the Liberals had been supportive of common-sense action to save koalas in the wild. 

But just last week, the Liberal party walked out of Parliament because of the park. 

They are divided on what should be a unifying initiative to save NSW’s most iconic species from extinction.

As Australians, we have a responsibility to protect these wonderful creatures, for the sake of our kids and our grandkids. 

The Great Koala National Park will do just that – securing their future for generations to come.