ACF investigations: Exposing environmental crime, corruption, and negligence.
Our mission
The ACF investigations unit is a watchdog dedicated to protecting nature and our climate by holding the government and private sector to account. We investigate unethical, illegal, polluting and damaging behaviour, and advocate for policy change. Our investigations unit is 100% funded by community donations. Donate now to ensure our work exposing the truth can continue.
How we work
We follow tip-offs from the community, monitor irreplaceable habitats and high-risk pollution zones, and keep a watchful eye on the systems and decisions we expect to protect nature, climate and our democracy. We look at aerial imagery, analyse public data, and obtain documents through targeted Freedom of Information requests. We speak with communities and scientists, go spotlighting with field experts, fly drones to gather evidence and spot threatened animals with infrared. Once we’ve finished investigating a case, we assess the most impactful way to respond – including legal action, publicity, or advocacy.
Our impact
– 2019: We revealed seven football fields of protected greater glider habitat was illegally cleared at Meadowbank Station in Queensland, and forced the federal government to stop illegal clearing and increase protection for the greater gliders.
– 2020: We made over 150 FOI requests to increase transparency of decisions that threaten nature, water, air and our democracy. Analysis in our Access denied report shows that our FOI requests are being increasingly delayed and denied.
– 2021: We uncovered plans by Woodside to dump an 83-metre long steel and plastic mooring next to the Ningaloo World Heritage Area. After ACF’s investigation and more than 8,000 public submissions from the ACF community, Woodside withdrew its plan to dump the mooring next to the reef.
Send a tip-off
Got a tip about an environmental issue? Contact our investigations unit.
• Email us at [email protected]
• Mail us at PO Box 2699, Canberra ACT 2601
• Or text us on 0455 299 923 via Signal or Whatsapp