Leadbeater's possum: conservationists say draft report proves endangered status

Forestry industry and Barnaby Joyce have been pushing to downgrade species' status

Conservation groups say the Leadbeater's possum should retain its conservation status as a critically endangered Australian species, based on new advice from the government's scientific advisory body.

In a draft consultation document, the threatened species scientific committee says the Victorian possum meets at least one of the criteria to make it eligible for listing as critically endangered.