THE Australian Koala Foundation has written to all 128 federal politicians outlining the dire state of the country's koala population.

The foundation is calling for the introduction of a Koala Protection Act, similar to the US Bald Eagle Act developed to protect an iconic species that is honoured on a badge worn by all US military generals.

AKF chief executive Deborah Tabart said the Bald Eagle Act was a simple piece of legislation that protected the birds and their habitat trees. Neither can be touched.

In September, Save the Koala Month, AKF's Act or Axe campaign will divulge which politicians are prepared to protect Australia's declining koala populations.

"Whether it's because of mining, housing and development, or road and rail infrastructure, our populations are disappearing before our eyes to a point where already a number of our depleted wild populations are irreparable," Ms Tabart said.

She said the only way to protect the Australian icon that generated $3.2 billion annually through tourism was to protect its habitat.

Reader poll Should laws be changed to protect our endangered koalas? This poll ended on 24 August 2015. Current Results Yes of course! The koala is an Aussie icon just like the bald eagle is to the US. We should do everything we can to protect it 97% No way, koalas get too much attention already. 2% Not sure. 0% This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Surveys show 75% of inbound tourists listed seeing a koala as one of the expectations of their visit.

"If we can't save the koala we can't save anything," she said.

The letter to politicians points out that of the 1700 species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1000 live in koala habitat trees.

Koalas weren't listed as vulnerable until 2012. Of 15,000 brought into care at south-east Queensland animal hospitals between 1997 and 2013, 74% died of their injuries.

The AKF argues that every piece of legislation introduced to lessen habitat loss had been watered down to the point of worthlessness.

Ms Tabart says an inherent bias towards property development fuelled industry expectations.

"If they own the land they believe they are entitled to rezone it," she said. "If the land has high biological value they shouldn't have bought it in the first place."

The AKF wants a sunset clause attached to development approvals.

It's also concerned the amount of land being opened up for mining exploration will place the species at even greater risk of extinction.

Ms Tabart said she has seen some shocking things in her 27-year career, including watching industry leaders plead with senators not to protect the koala.

"I don't believe anyone has actually considered what would happen to the Australian economy if the Koala were to disappear from the landscape," she said.



WE ASK OUR POLLIES: Would you support a Koala Protection Act?

MAL BROUGH: Mr Brough has always been supportive of protecting our threatened species, including koalas, and he has demonstrated this many times, including securing $2.5 million towards the establishment of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. He looks forward to having the opportunity to consider the proposed Koala Protection Act in detail when it becomes available.

CLIVE PALMER: Mr Palmer would support the introduction of the Koala Protection Act.

WARREN TRUSS: Koalas face a range of threats, especially in NSW and Queensland, from disease, vehicles and urban development. Those of us who live in regional areas must be mindful that we coexist with our native wildlife, particularly koalas. Progress is being made on the expansion and improvement of koala habitat areas. Federal Government programs like the Green Army and 20 million trees programs in partnership with local environmental conservation groups can make a good contribution to this effort. These initiatives deliver practical, on-the-ground outcomes. Legislation in this area is predominantly the responsibility of the states and it would be necessary to make the case that an extra act of parliament will make a difference to the sustainability of the koala population in this area. My wife Lyn and I have a keen interest in koalas and over the years we have become well-acquainted with koalas that frequent the trees around our own home in Maryborough. Unfortunately, over recent times we have seen our own koala population decimated by disease - despite our efforts to get them the help that they need.

WYATT ROY: Did not respond by deadline.