May 2026 – TMBF’s submissions on the proposed National Environmental Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) support the intent of stronger, nationally consistent environmental laws, but argue the current drafting must be substantially strengthened. TMBF calls for clear, enforceable and outcome-focused standards that protect threatened species, Ramsar wetlands, migratory species and the connected marine, coastal and catchment systems they depend on. The submissions emphasise that process cannot substitute for real ecological outcomes, and that cumulative impacts, habitat networks, climate refugia, First Nations knowledge, independent monitoring and transparent reporting must be built into the final framework. For Moreton Bay, effective national standards are essential to protecting irreplaceable natural values while guiding nature-positive decision-making across Australia and Moreton Bay for future generations.
Our Submission on the Draft National Environmental Standard can be read below, or you can download a PDF here.
Our Submission on the Policy Position Paper can be downloaded as a PDF here.