“Koala war” in Australia - 21st September 2020

There are new rules about koalas, in New South Wales, Australia. Part of the government doesn't agree with the rules.

Koalas are an Australian animal. Some people call them 'koala-bears'. But they are not bears. They are marsupials, like kangaroos. Koalas live in trees in Australia.

In summer 2019-2020, there were lots of fires in Australia. The fires burned lots of trees. They killed lots of koalas. In 2050, there may be no koalas at all. The government made some new rules. The rules help koalas.

They are about koalas' homes. Now, people can't cut down trees. Farmers are unhappy. They want to build on their land.

The government in New South Wales is a coalition. Two political groups work together in the government. They are the Liberal Party and the National Party. The National Party doesn't want the new rules. They are bad for farmers. Now, the National Party won't work with the Liberal Party. Lots of people like the rules. They will help to save the koala. The Liberal Party wants to help koalas.

Animal charities are worried about koalas. They think Australia needs extra rules to help koalas.