But many are "paper parks"—lines on a map with very little real protection ... Just last year, the Albanese government claimed the latest expansion meant Australia now protected "more ocean than any ...

As seen in the map above, using data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Australia benefits from a substantial mineral endowment. Australia is home to numerous deposits of rare earths like xenotime ...

Australia’s place as part of Asia is clear on the map, but not so, it seems, in the minds of the public in Australia and some of its closest Asian neighbours. There are bright spots for sure.

Half of Australia’s seas are protected. So why are marine species and ecosystems in freefall? Australia’s government is pledging better protection for our vulnerable seas – but will it work?