Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has successfully moved for a new Senate inquiry to assess the threats to and management of koalas across the country.

"Despite its iconic status, we know very little about the threats to Australian koalas," said Senator Brown.

"This inquiry will not only help to establish numbers and potential impacts, but also how to better manage the species across the country.

"The inquiry will also give momentum towards listing the koala as a threatened species and establish better protections for the dwindling areas of koala habitat." 

The inquiry will commence early next year. Terms of reference are as follows:

(1) The following matter be referred to the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee for inquiry on the first day of sitting of 2011 and report by 1 June 2011:

The status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population 

(2) In undertaking the inquiry, the committee must consider:

a. The iconic status of the koala and the history of its management;
b. Estimates of koala populations and the adequacy of current counting methods;
c. Knowledge of koala habitat; 
d. Threats to koala habitat such as logging, land clearing, poor management, attacks from feral and domestic animals, disease and roads, and urban development; 
e. The listing of the koala under the EPBC Act; 
f. The adequacy of the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy; 
g. Appropriate future regulation for the protection of koala habitat; 
h. Interaction of state and federal laws and regulations; and
i. Any other related matters.