Agriculture Minister David Littleproud's Queensland electorate has had the worst threatened species habitat loss in the nation over the past two decades, new analysis reveals.
Almost two million hectares of such habitat has been lost since the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was introduced in 2000, the study says.
The research by the University of Queensland's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science and the Australian Conservation Foundation shows 93 per cent of habitat loss has been concentrated in 12 federal electorates.
The habitat loss in Mr Littleproud's electorate of Maranoa represents a 43 per cent decline, hurting at least 85 threatened species, including the koala, greater bilby, black-throated finch and long-nosed potoroo.
Environment Minister Melissa Price's West Australian electorate of Durack, which is the largest in the nation, was the seventh worst for habitat destruction.
More than 310,000 hectares of threatened species habitat has been destroyed in the electorate, harming animals including the northern quoll, Carnaby's black cockatoo and the night parrot.
Lead researcher from the University of Queensland Michelle Ward says some plants and animals have lost nearly 25 per cent of their habitat in 17 years.
"If we're to prevent yet more extinctions in Australia we need to halt the decline of threatened species habitat," she said on Wednesday.
"Otherwise, we may lose them forever."
ACF's nature policy analyst James Trezise says the next federal government must invest in wildlife recovery, introduce strong new environment laws and create an independent national regulator.
The analysis comes as Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama prepares to deliver a speech in Melbourne, where he will lay out priorities for international climate leadership.
THE 12 ELECTORATES
* Maranoa in Qld, held by LNP
* Kennedy in Qld, held by Katter's Australian Party
* O'Connor in WA, held by the Liberals
* Capricornia in Qld, held by LNP
* Flynn in Qld, held by LNP
* Parkes in NSW, held by the Nationals
* Durack in WA, held by the Liberals
* Leichhardt in Qld, held by LNP
* Lingiari in the NT, held by Labor
* Farrer in NSW, held by Liberals
* Dawson in Qld, held by LNP
* Lyons in Tasmania, held by Labor
