EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by the authority of the Minister for the Environment and Water
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
List of Threatened Species Amendment (430) Instrument 2026
Legislative authority
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides for the protection of the environment and conservation of biodiversity, including the protection and conservation of threatened species.
Subsection 178(1) of the EPBC Act provides that the Minister must, by legislative instrument, establish a list of threatened species separated into the following categories: Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent. This list referred to in subsection 178(1) of the EPBC Act is contained in the Declaration under s178, s181, and s183 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - List of threatened species, List of threatened ecological communities and List of threatening processes (List).
Paragraph 184(a) of the EPBC Act relevantly provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, amend the List referred to in section 178 by including items within the List in accordance with Subdivision AA.
Paragraph 184(c) of the EPBC Act relevantly provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, amend the List referred to in section 178 by transferring items from one category in the list to another category in the list in accordance with Subdivision AA.
The species being included and/or transferred in the List met the criteria for listing in the Endangered and Critically Endangered category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025 (Regulations).
Purpose of Instrument
The purpose of this Instrument is to amend the List by:
- Including the following species:
- Acacia atrox in the Critically Endangered category.
- Acacia lumholtzii in the Critically Endangered category.
- Callitris oblonga subsp. parva in the Critically Endangered category.
- Calectasia elegans in the Critically Endangered category.
- Conospermum quadripetalum in the Critically Endangered category.
- Danhatchia copelandii in the Critically Endangered category.
- Drosera oreopodion in the Critically Endangered category.
- Eucalyptus boliviana in the Critically Endangered category.
- Haliotis rubiginosa in the Critically Endangered category.
- Hibbertia superans in the Critically Endangered category.
- Homoranthus croftianus in the Critically Endangered category.
- Pittosporum kororoense in the Critically Endangered category.
- Riekoperla darlingtoni in the Critically Endangered category.
- Thelymitra variegata in the Critically Endangered category.
- Aristida thompsonii in the Endangered category.
- Hemibelideus lemuroides in the Endangered category.
- Lerista colliveri in the Endangered category.
- Lerista rochfordensis in the Endangered category.
- Nereia lophocladia in the Endangered category.
- Rhodamnia sessiliflora in the Endangered category.
- Rhodamnia whiteana in the Endangered category.
- Typhonium praetermissum in the Endangered category.
- Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999) in the Endangered category.
- Transferring the following species by deleting the species from the Vulnerable category in the List and including it in the Endangered category in the List:
- Acacia pubifolia
Acacia atrox is considered threatened due to climate change, habitat loss and disturbance, invasive species, fire, and inadequate recruitment.
Acacia lumholtzii is considered threatened due to invasive species, climate change, and small population size effects.
Acacia pubifolia is considered threatened due to climate change, fire, habitat loss and degradation, and invasive species.
Aristida thompsonii is considered threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance, climate change, invasive species, and small population size effects.
Calectasia elegans is considered threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance, climate change, fire, exotic and invasive species, and loss of pollinators.
Callitris oblonga subsp. parva is considered threatened due to fire, flooding, invasive species, habitat loss, and competition from weeds.
Conospermum quadripetalum is considered threatened due to infection with plant disease, competition form invasive species, fire, habitat loss, disturbance and alteration.
Danhatchia copelandii is considered threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance, herbivory, exotic and invasive species, and climate change.
Drosera oreopodion is considered threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance, exotic and invasive species, fire, and illegal collection.
Eucalyptus boliviana is considered threatened due to climate change, fire, invasive species, and habitat loss and disturbance.
Haliotis rubiginosa is considered threatened due to climate change, habitat loss and disturbance, illegal collection, and exotic and invasive species.
Hemibelideus lemuroides is considered threatened due to climate change, and habitat loss and fragmentation.
Hibbertia superans is considered threatened due to fire regimes, habitat loss and degradation, and competition from exotic weeds.
Homoranthus croftianus is considered threatened due to climate change, fire, and herbivory.
Lerista colliveri is considered threatened due to invasive species, climate change, and habitat loss and degradation.
Lerista rochfordensis is considered threatened due to invasive species, climate change, and habitat loss and degradation.
Nereia lophocladia is considered threatened due to climate change, habitat loss and disturbance, and problematic native species.
Pittosporum kororoense is considered threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance, exotic and invasive species, and grazing by feral herbivores.
Rhodamnia sessiliflora is considered threatened due to myrtle rust, climate change, and habitat loss.
Rhodamnia whiteana is considered threatened due to myrtle rust, climate change, and habitat loss.
Riekoperla darlingtoni is considered threatened due to climate change, human disturbance, fire, water quality, and disease.
Thelymitra variegata is considered threatened due to habitat loss, disturbance and alteration, climate change, illegal collection, fire, and exotic and invasive species.
Typhonium praetermissum is considered threatened due to exotic and invasive species, habitat loss and disturbance, and fire.
Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999) is considered threatened due to exotic and invasive species, habitat loss and disturbance, and fire.
Subsection 186(1) of the EPBC Act provides that the Minister must not include (whether as a result of a transfer or otherwise) a native species on the List in a particular category unless satisfied that the native species is eligible to be included in that category.
Subsection 186(2B) of the EPBC Act provides that in deciding whether to delete a native species from a particular category (whether as a result of a transfer or otherwise), the only matters the Minister may consider are matters relating to whether the native species is eligible to be included in that category or the effect that the inclusion of the native species in that category is having, or could have, on the survival of the species.
Subsection 179(3) of the EPBC Act provides that a native species is eligible to be included in the Critically Endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.
Subsection 179(4) of the EPBC Act provides that a native species is eligible to be included in the Endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, it is not critically endangered and it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.
Regulation 7.01 of the Regulations provides that for section 179 of the EPBC Act, a native species is in the Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable category if it meets any of the five criteria for the category mentioned in the table to that provision.
The Minister was satisfied that the requisite criteria was met for including Acacia atrox, Acacia lumholtzii, Callitris oblonga subsp. parva, Calectasia elegans, Conospermum quadripetalum, Danhatchia copelandii, Drosera oreopodion, Eucalyptus boliviana, Haliotis rubiginosa, Hibbertia superans, Homoranthus croftianus, Pittosporum kororoense, Riekoperla darlingtoni and Thelymitra variegata in the Critically Endangered category in the List.
The Minister was satisfied that the requisite criteria was met for including Aristida thompsonii, Hemibelideus lemuroides, Lerista colliveri, Lerista rochfordensis, Nereia lophocladia, Rhodamnia sessiliflora, Rhodamnia whiteana, Typhonium praetermissum and Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999) in the Endangered category in the List.
The Minister was satisfied that the requisite criteria was met for transferring Acacia pubifolia from the Vulnerable to the Endangered category within the List.
Consultation
The process for making amendments to the List to include or transfer an item is set out in Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision AA of the EPBC Act. Consultation was undertaken before the Instrument was made, in accordance with the processes outlined in Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision AA of the EPBC Act.
Notice of the proposed amendment and a consultation document was made available for public comment for a minimum of 30 business days as required by subsection 194M(3) of the EPBC Act. Any public comments received that were relevant to the survival of the species were considered by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (Committee) as part of the assessment process.
The Committee prepared a written assessment of whether the nominated species was eligible for inclusion in the List. The Committee assessed Acacia atrox, Acacia lumholtzii, Callitris oblonga subsp. parva, Calectasia elegans, Conospermum quadripetalum, Danhatchia copelandii, Drosera oreopodion, Eucalyptus boliviana, Haliotis rubiginosa, Hibbertia superans, Homoranthus croftianus, Pittosporum kororoense, Riekoperla darlingtoni and Thelymitra variegata as eligible for inclusion in the Critically Endangered category in the List.
The Committee assessed Aristida thompsonii, Hemibelideus lemuroides, Lerista colliveri, Lerista rochfordensis, Nereia lophocladia, Rhodamnia sessiliflora, Rhodamnia whiteana, Typhonium praetermissum and Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999) as eligible for inclusion in the Endangered category in the List.
The Committee assessed Acacia pubifolia as eligible for transfer from the Vulnerable to the Endangered category within the List.
In making this Instrument, the Minister considered the Committee’s written assessment and any comments received during the consultation period in accordance with Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision AA of the EPBC Act.
Given the extensive consultation undertaken on the proposed listings contained in the Instrument, it was not necessary to consult on the text of the Instrument itself.
Details/ Operation
Details of the Instrument are set out in Attachment A.
Other
The Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared under section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011. A full statement of compatibility is set out in Attachment B.
The Instrument is an amendment instrument made under section 184 of the Act. It is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003 (Legislation Act).
The Instrument commences the day after registration.
Sunsetting and disallowance requirements
The Instrument is subject to the disallowance process under section 42 of the Legislation Act and the sunsetting regime set out in Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the Legislation Act. However, section 48A of the Legislation Act has the effect that, because the Instrument only amends another instrument, if it is not disallowed it will be automatically repealed at the end of the disallowance period. Once repealed, the sunsetting regime has no practical effect on the Instrument.
The List amended by the Instrument is exempt from sunsetting in accordance with table item 24 in section 12 of the Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015, which specifies that sunsetting requirements do not apply to instruments made under sections 178, 181 or 183 of the EPBC Act. This sunsetting exemption has applied to the List since the sunsetting regime was established by the Legislation Act on 1 January 2005. This means that the amendments given effect by the Instrument will be enduring.
The List is not appropriate for sunsetting, to ensure threatened species have ongoing regulatory protection under the EPBC Act. Species on the list may be threatened beyond 10 years and require continued protection through conservation advice, recovery plans and the assessment and approval processes under the EPBC Act. Amendments are made to the list following a stringent statutory review process set out in the EPBC Act, which provides an appropriate review mechanism to ensure the currency and accuracy of the List.
ATTACHMENT A
Details of the List of Threatened Species Amendment (430) Instrument 2026
Section 1 – Name
This section provides that the title of the instrument is the List of Threatened Species Amendment (430) Instrument 2026 (the Instrument).
Section 2 – Commencement
This section provides that the Instrument commences on the day after it is registered.
Section 3 – Authority
This section provides that the Instrument is made under section 184 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Section 4 – Schedules
This section is a machinery clause which provides that the Declaration under s178, s181, and s183 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - List of threatened species, List of threatened ecological communities and List of threatening processes (Principal Instrument) is amended as set out in the applicable items in Schedule 1, and any other item in Schedule 1 to the Instrument has effect according to its terms.
Schedule 1- Amendments
Declaration under s178, s181, and s183 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - List of threatened species, List of threatened ecological communities and List of threatening processes
1 In the appropriate position under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED”
Item 1 amends the list in the Principal Instrument under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED” to include in the appropriate position the following species:
- Acacia atrox
- Acacia lumholtzii
- Callitris oblonga subsp. parva
- Calectasia elegans
- Conospermum quadripetalum
- Danhatchia copelandii
- Drosera oreopodion
- Eucalyptus boliviana
- Haliotis rubiginosa
- Hibbertia superans
- Homoranthus croftianus
- Pittosporum kororoense
- Riekoperla darlingtoni
- Thelymitra variegata
2 In the appropriate position under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE ENDANGERED”
Item 2 amends the list in the Principal Instrument under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE ENDANGERED” to include in the appropriate position the following species:
- Acacia pubifolia
- Aristida thompsonii
- Hemibelideus lemuroides
- Lerista colliveri
- Lerista rochfordensis
- Nereia lophocladia
- Rhodamnia sessiliflora
- Rhodamnia whiteana
- Typhonium praetermissum
- Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999)
3 In the appropriate position under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE VULNERABLE”
Item 3 amends the list in the Principal Instrument under the heading “SPECIES THAT ARE VULNERABLE” to omit from the list the following species:
- Acacia pubifolia
ATTACHMENT B
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
List of Threatened Species Amendment (430) Instrument 2026
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument
The purpose of this Legislative Instrument is to amend the Declaration under s178, s181, and s183 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - List of threatened species, List of threatened ecological communities and List of threatening processes (List) to:
- Include the following species:
- Acacia atrox in the Critically Endangered category.
- Acacia lumholtzii in the Critically Endangered category.
- Callitris oblonga subsp. parva in the Critically Endangered category.
- Calectasia elegans in the Critically Endangered category.
- Conospermum quadripetalum in the Critically Endangered category.
- Danhatchia copelandii in the Critically Endangered category.
- Drosera oreopodion in the Critically Endangered category.
- Eucalyptus boliviana in the Critically Endangered category.
- Haliotis rubiginosa in the Critically Endangered category.
- Hibbertia superans in the Critically Endangered category.
- Homoranthus croftianus in the Critically Endangered category.
- Pittosporum kororoense in the Critically Endangered category.
- Riekoperla darlingtoni in the Critically Endangered category.
- Thelymitra variegata in the Critically Endangered category.
- Aristida thompsonii in the Endangered category.
- Hemibelideus lemuroides in the Endangered category.
- Lerista colliveri in the Endangered category.
- Lerista rochfordensis in the Endangered category.
- Nereia lophocladia in the Endangered category.
- Rhodamnia sessiliflora in the Endangered category.
- Rhodamnia whiteana in the Endangered category.
- Typhonium praetermissum in the Endangered category.
- Typhonium sp. Cox Peninsula (S.Nicholas 15/12/1999) in the Endangered category.
- Transfer the following species by deleting the species from the Vulnerable category in the List and including it in the Endangered category in the List:
- Acacia pubifolia
The species being included and/or transferred in the List met the criteria for listing in the relevant category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025.
Human rights implications
This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Conclusion
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
The Hon Murray Watt MP
Minister for the Environment and Water