Doorstop, Port Stephens, NSW

And this is an impressive facility, it's not only saving our local koalas and releasing them back into the wild, but importantly it's really doing a wonderful job of collecting incredible research and data. We know that the Federal Government contributed $3 million and then an additional $3 million, and we have a CT scan and we've really increased the facilities here, and today it's wonderful to be able to show the Minister what we've been doing with those federal funds, how we're saving koalas, not only here in Port Stephens but also how we're really contributing to that data that will save koalas for years to come, because we don't just want our kids of the future to see a koala in a zoo or in a sanctuary, we want them to have the chance to be out in the bush and spot a koala in the wild.

That's what this is really all about. And just a great big thanks also to the 200 plus volunteers, the incredible veterinary team, Ron and all the people here at Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Sanctuary that really keep Australia's iconic species not only alive but thriving into the future. JOURNALIST: Minister, can you tell us a little bit about your impressions of the facility here and the value you see in what these guys are doing?

MURRAY WATT, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: Well, thanks very much, Meryl and team, for arranging today's visit. I've heard a lot about Port Stephens Koala Hospital, but to see it in the flesh is really something to behold. Much bigger in scale than I expected, both in terms of the physical area but the range of activities that are going on here as well.

And congratulations to Meryl as the local member for championing the work that's going on here and the need for more funding from the Australian Government. There's nothing more Australian than a koala. And that's why the Australian Government is stepping up to the plate to support our koala hospitals with funding to make sure that generations to come can enjoy this iconic Australian species and make sure the population remains strong.

We know that whether it be in Port Stephens or across the country, koalas do face a range of threats, whether it be from residential development, car accidents, climate change, and that's why we've got a responsibility to be investing in the ongoing future of the koala and our other native species. As Meryl mentioned, of course this koala hospital, its dedicated staff and volunteer team do an amazing job to bring back to health koalas and other animals that are injured in traffic accidents and other circumstances.

But also this is really ground-breaking research that the Australian Government is funding to tackle other threats to koalas like chlamydia, retrovirus and other diseases as well. I was really pleased to learn about the research partnerships that exist and that we can continue to build on to make sure that this research stretches further. And we're really proud as an Australian Government to be ploughing $6 million into this research to keep koala populations strong.

JOURNALIST: You've obviously had some conversations with Ron and the team in here about what the future looks like. How is the Government going to continue to work with facilities like this or specifically this one moving forward? MURRAY WATT: Even though I've only just met Ron today, I think I can rely on him to come to the party with a research proposal for us.

And clearly the work that is already happening here is breaking new ground when it comes to koala research. And there's an opportunity to build on this in the future as well. There are other institutions and koala hospitals around the country who are doing different pieces of work, and there is an opportunity to coordinate some of this work that’s going on in different institutions a bit more than we are at the moment.

It doesn’t matter where this work is going on, whether it be here in Port Stephens or other parts of the country, these are really practical ways that we can make sure that we have a thriving koala population into the future, despite the threats that it faces. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.