Opened the debate
Pocock argued that the government had failed to provide adequate financial support for its biodiversity commitments, such as the 30 by 30 target and preventing new extinctions. Pocock highlighted that conservation received only six cents per hundred dollars of the budget, equating to one dollar for every $1,667. Pocock contrasted this with multibillion-dollar bailouts for smelters, questioning why nature relied on minimal government funding. Pocock stated that conservation spending was declining year on year and that temporary fund extensions were insufficient. Pocock described the bird flu threat as a wake-up call, warning of severe consequences for Australian wildlife if funding did not increase.