Controversial laws protecting the heritage value of wild brumbies in NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park have been repealed following a late-night parliamentary vote. Introduced by the NSW Nationals in 2018, these protections were criticized for prioritizing feral horses over native species and contributing to environmental degradation. The repeal, supported by Labor, the Liberals, and crossbenchers but opposed by the Nationals, sets a target to manage feral horse numbers to 3,000 across a third of the park by 2027, with current estimates ranging from 1,579 to 5,639 brumbies.

In related environmental news, the Australian government passed a significant overhaul of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act after a deal between Labor and the Greens, despite opposition from the Coalition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the reforms as beneficial for both the environment and the economy, emphasizing the importance of protecting Australia’s natural heritage while supporting jobs and infrastructure. The legislation introduces national environmental standards and tighter controls on land clearing, marking a major step forward in Australia’s environmental policy.