To be eligible for a Vulnerable listing under the federal laws, specifically the EPBC Act, Koalas had to have undergone a 30 per cent decline in numbers over 20 years. The Australian Government found this criterion was met in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Queensland, and so the Koala was listed as Vulnerable in these States in 2012. With no real action by these Governments, the Koala was then declared Endangered in 2022 in the ACT, NSW and Queensland, and again, South Australian and Victorian Koalas were ignored, affording them virtually no protection. Back in 2012, the national decline exceeded 30%, but, following pressure from the Victorian and South Australian Governments, numbers were revised, so that, in Victoria, the decline was calculated as “only” 29% and Victorian Koalas missed the federal listing. South Australian Koalas were excluded by the same sleight-of-hand.

Government estimates of Koala numbers in Victoria – indeed nationally – have waxed and waned as it suited the politics. In 2010, the Victorian Government estimated there were 73,500 Koalas. This number would have met the criteria for Commonwealth listing as Vulnerable, but the Victorian Government said “Wait! We have found some more!” and came up with a revised figure of 200,000. In 1995, a figure of 180,000 was bandied around for one area of the State, the Strathbogie Ranges in Central Victoria. It was acknowledged at the time that this figure was not based on any research, but simply the opinion of a Victorian Government researcher (an independent scientist suggested a figure closer to 10,000), but the Commonwealth Government accepted the Victorian Government’s 200,000 and declined to list the Koala as Vulnerable in Victoria. Similar shenanigans applied to the determination for South Australia, where high Koala numbers on Kangaroo Island inflated that State’s population estimate.

If 73,500 had been used for Victoria, national declines would have exceeded the 30% threshold, and the Koala would have been eligible for a national Vulnerable listing. The Victorian Government, concerned about a potential listing, said “these are only the Koalas we know about, there are many more, perhaps 200,000.“ The Commonwealth, recognising that Victorian and South Australian population estimates were incorrect, excluded Koalas in these States from the Vulnerable listing.

Why did the Victorian and South Australian Governments not want that listing?

The answer: blue gum plantations.

From about 2000, blue gums were extensively planted in southwestern Victoria and adjoining areas in South Australia (the “Green Triangle”). In a 2008 research paper, AKF warned that Koalas loved these trees, and warned the plantation companies that Koala welfare policies were required prior to harvest. These findings were ignored. As a result, from 2013 we have had repeated instances of Koalas being killed in plantation operations in southwest Victoria, and, most recently, on Kangaroo Island. What’s going on here? The plantation companies have “Management Plans”, but there are no audits by any Government agency. It’s a “tick the box” exercise, and Koalas are dying unnecessarily. It’s time for the Victorian and South Australian Governments to step up and do their job properly.