Koala preservation opens new front for NSW teals as they seek to win Coalition seats

The NSW government has ruled out creating a koala habitat national park, as independent candidates target the Coalition’s record on the endangered species. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Teal challengers facing off against moderate Coalition MPs in the New South Wales election have blasted the government for refusing to back a proposed 300,000 hectare koala national park, accusing it of failing to protect the endangered species.

As Climate 200-backed independents including Joeline Hackman, who is running in the seat of Manly, visited south coast native forests during a trip organised by the Nature Conservation Council on Thursday, they sought to pressure the Coalition over its land-clearing record.