Explainer: Could the Conservation Amendment Bill really lead to billionaires buying up the national estate? (opens original article in a new tab)

The Conservation Amendment Bill introduces economic considerations for managing conservation land, allowing sale of significant areas but with protections for 40% of land. Conservation groups warn the bill's changes could risk vulnerable areas, while the government denies plans for large-scale sales.

• The Conservation Amendment Bill removes red tape and modernizes management of public conservation land, requiring the Department of Conservation to prioritize economic opportunities.
• The bill allows sale of non-exempt conservation land, increasing potentially sellable land to over 5 million hectares, though 40% is tightly protected.
• Conservation groups argue the bill's new sale criteria are insufficient, risking conservation areas, while the government claims it won't lead to large-scale land sales.