Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (17:20): I am delighted to make a contribution to this public interest debate because it is a matter of not only public interest but also public urgency. Not that long ago in this place, we debated whether koalas would survive in their natural habitat. It would be an absolute disaster if they did not. I am delighted that the Minns Labor Government made its commitment to the Great Koala National Park, and I respectfully reject the assertions from members opposite that the park will fall over because of the Federal Government and carbon credits. The Federal Government supports the Minns Government initiative and is stepping up to the plate to ensure that the process of approval takes place. Is it an ongoing process? Yes, of course it is. Does that mean it will not occur? No, it does not. It means we must go through a process, and that is what good government does—it follows process through collaboration and consultation. That is precisely what the Minns Government is doing with the Federal Government.

The Great Koala National Park measures some 176,000 hectares with almost $120 million worth of investment—a significant milestone for preservation and conservation in New South Wales. I acknowledge that there are concerns around jobs and workers in the timber industry, but the Minns Government is holding measurable consultations on those matters to ensure that it finds a balance. That is needed and that is happening under the Government's proposal. Most importantly, the park will safeguard wildlife, contribute to local economies and give visitors a chance to connect deeply with one of Australia's most diverse landscapes.

With the indulgence of the House, I draw a correlation with the Warranmadhaa National Park, to the south of Campbelltown in my electorate and drifting down to the electorate of Wollondilly. I know the member for Wollondilly will speak progressively about her idea and her advocacy for something similar even further south, around Bargo. I will leave that for her. I will not steal her thunder but, in principle, I support her advocacy in that area. It is a good idea in the longer term and I would like to see it occur. An $88 million investment over four years will protect crucial koala habitat in southern and south-western Sydney by creating the Warranmadhaa National Park. That investment will build infrastructure to allow koalas to safely cross busy roads. Appin Road's first underpass is open now. I am advised that nine koalas were killed on a certain stretch of road in the 12-month period prior to this Government putting its measures in place, as locals around Campbelltown and the south are aware. But in the 12-month period after Government measures were put in place, only one koala was tragically killed. One is still too many, and anyone from my electorate knows how much we love our koalas and how important it is to protect them.

Almost 1,000 hectares of public land has been acquired between Long Point in Campbelltown and Appin in the Wollondilly shire to establish the new Georges River koala national park or, as it is named, the Warranmadhaa National Park. We are immensely proud of that, as we are of our disease-free koala population. I reiterate my community's passion for ensuring that our disease-free koala colony not only survives but continues to thrive. I am delighted to advise the House of my discussions with National Parks and Wildlife Service. We have seen substantial growth in our koala population over the past few years because of the measures put in place. That said, the Government knows there is much more to do, and it will progressively work towards preservation and conservation.