Summary. New South Wales passed a law to create the Great Koala National Park. The park aims to protect koalas and other threatened species, and its long-term funding through carbon credits has drawn criticism.

• Key points.
• The park is due to open before the end of 2026 and will cover 475,000 hectares (1.2 million acres), including 178,000 hectares (440,000 acres) of state forests.
• The state government set aside AU$140 million ($98.5 million) to establish it. Long-term funding will rely on Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), credits sold to polluting industries to offset emissions.
• Parliament voted down multiple attempts to amend the carbon credit scheme. The Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti people will continue to guide management, and eight Aboriginal rangers will be employed.

"This park will protect our precious Australian wildlife and boost tourism for the region for generations." (Chris Minns, NSW premier, in a Facebook post)