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We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the sovereign Traditional Owners of Australia and thank them for their stewardship of this Country, its lands, waters and skies. We respectfully acknowledge their culture and customary practices, and pay respect to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders.

For the first time, the State of the Environment report includes a strong Indigenous narrative across all 12 thematic chapters, a narrative crafted through recognising the leadership, collaboration and authorship of Indigenous Australians who continue their connection as Traditional Owners to their lands, waters and skies.

Click to view the State of the Environment report

 

On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

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Artworks and artists

Homepage photography

Beach at Cape Leveque with storm clouds rolling in

Rod Thomas Photography

 

to be added

Elizabeth McCrudden, DAWE

 

Koala clinging to a burnt tree in a bushfire swept forest.

Brad Fleet, Newspix

 

Green Turtle swimming over a coral reef with sunburst overhead at Heron Island.

David Harasti, DAWE

 

View of Kakadu National Park

Parks Australia

 

Two figures overlooking a cityscape that has poor visibility

Brook Mitchell, Fairfax

 

Chapter artworks 

Artwork by Gertie Huddleston

 

We All Share Water

Gertie Huddleston

Wandarang/Mara peoples

We All Share Water 2001

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

120.0 (H) x 169.0 (W) cm

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased 2010

© the Estate of Gertie Huddleston courtesy of Ngukurr Art Centre

 

 

Air quality Artwork by Philip Wolfhagen

 

A Litany of Vapours

Philip Wolfhagen

Tasmania, Australia born 1963

A litany of vapours 2007

oil and beeswax on linen

200.0 (H) x 107.0 (W) cm (each)

200.0 (H) x 941.0 (W) cm (overall)

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased with the assistance of the Foundation Gala Dinner Fund 2017

2017.52.A-G

 

 

Artwork by Jorg Schmeisser

 

Iceberg Alley

Jörg Schmeisser

Stolp, Germany, Europe 1942 - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 2012

Iceberg alley. 2002

etching, printed in blue-black ink, from two plates, on two sheets

61.4 (H) x 98.0 (W) cm (plate-mark, overall)

71.3 (H) x 106.8 (W) cm (sheet, overall)

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Gift of Jörg and Keiko Schmeisser 2004

© Jörg Schmeisser

2004.558.A-B

 

 

Twin Falls and Gorge by William Robinson

 

Twin Falls and Gorge

William Robinson

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia born 1936

Twin Falls and Gorge 2000

oil on canvas

137.0 (H) x 183.0 (W) cm1401 (H) x 1858 (W) x 45 (D) mm (framed (overall))

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Raymond Kidd and Dianna Kidd Fund 2013

2012.1284

 

 

Sydney Sun by John Olsen

 

Sydney Sun

John Olsen

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia born 1928

Sydney sun 1965

oil on three plywood panels

307.0 (H) x 412.5 (W) x 4.0 (D) cm (overall)

3070 (H) x 1087 (W) x 40 (D) mm, 32 kg (weight) (framed (overall))

3070 (H) x 2005 (W) x 40 (D) mm, 55 kg (weight)

3070 (H) x 1087 (W) x 40 (D) mm, 32 kg (weight)

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased with funds from the Nerissa Johnson Bequest 2000

© John Olsen/Copyright Agency

2000.342.A-C

 

 

Coasts artwork by Alick Tipoti

 

Apu Kaz

Alick Tipoti

Kala Lagaw Ya people

Waiben (Thursday Island), Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia born 1975

Theo Tremblay, printer

Cambridge, United States of America born 1952

Editions Tremblay Nfp, print workshop

established 1984 1984

Apu Kaz (Dugong mother and calf) 2008

linocut, printed in black ink, from one block; hand-coloured in watercolour

220.0 (H) x 114.0 (W) cm (printed image)

240.0 (H) x 120.0 (W) cm (sheet)

2622 (H) x 1459 (W) x 50 (D) mm, 37 kg (weight) (framed (overall))

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Gift of The Silk Cut Foundation, 2010

2010.165

 

 

Extreme events artwork by Shane Pickett

 

On the Horizon of the Dreaming Boodja

Shane Pickett

Nyoongar people

Australia 1957-2009

On the Horizon of the Dreaming Boodja 2005

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

1533 (H) x 1222 (W) x 30 (D) mm (stretched)

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Gift of Roslynne Bracher, 2006

© Shane Pickett

2006.409

 

 

Kelp Water Carrier by Eva Richardson

 

Kelp Water Carrier

Eva Richardson

Tasmanian Aboriginal people

Moonah, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia born 1936

Kelp water carrier 2002

bull kelp, tea-tree sticks, bush string

11.6 (H) x 19.8 (W) x 9.8 (D) cm

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased 2003

2003.14

 

 

Ntange Dreaming by Emily Kame Kngwarreye

 

Ntange Dreaming

Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Anmatyerre people

Australia 1908-1996

Ntange Dreaming 1989

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

135.0 (H) x 122.0 (W) cm

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased 1989

© Emily Kame Kngwarreye/Copyright Agency

1989.1928

 

 

Barmah Forest by Lin Onus

 

Barmah Forest

Lin Onus

Yorta Yorta people

Australia 1948-1996

Barmah Forest 1994

synthetic polymer paint on linen

183.0 (H) x 244.0 (W) x 40 (D) mm (framed (overall))

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

© Lin Onus/Copyright Agency

 

 

Kuru Ala by Maringka Baker

 

Kuru Ala

Maringka Baker

Pitjantjatjara people

Kaliumpil, South Australia, Australia born 1952

Kuru Ala 2007

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

153.5 (H) x 200.0 (W) cm

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased 2007

© Maringka Baker - Tjungu Palya

2007.178

 

 

Woven Water by Maria Fernanda Cardoso

 

Woven Water: Submarine Landscape II

Maria Fernanda Cardoso

Bogota, Colombia born 1963

Woven water: submarine landscape II 2003

starfish, metal wire

400 (H) x 1100 (W) x 600 (D) (dimensions variable)

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased 2005

2005.774.1-4

 

 

On the Periphery by Jeffrey Smart

 

On the Periphery

Jeffrey Smart

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 1921 - Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, Europe 2013

On the periphery 2003

oil on canvas

100.0 (H) x 100.0 (W) cm

114.2 (H) x 118.2 (W) x 7.7 (D) cm (framed (overall))

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Purchased for the National Gallery of Australia in honour of Dr Brian Kennedy, Director, 1997-2004, with contributions from Members of the NGA Council and Foundation: Terrey and Anne Arcus; Philip Bacon AM; Tony Berg AM and Carol Berg; Graham Bradley; Michael Chaney AO; Charles Curran AO; Ashley Dawson-Damer; Robert Champion de Crespigny AC; Peter Farrell AM; Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett; Catherine Harris PSM; Virginia Henderson AM; John and Rosanna Hindmarsh; Peter Jopling QC; Lee Liberman; Peter Lundy; Harold Mitchell AO; Rupert and Annabel Myer; Elizabeth Nosworthy; Roslyn Packer; John Prescott AC and Jennifer Prescott; Carol Schwartz; Penelope Seidler; Kerry Stokes AO; Lyn Williams AM 2004

2004.278