Queensland Government welcomes plan to protect the Reef

The Palaszczuk Government has welcomed Federal Labor’s announcement today that they will invest $500 million protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

The Queensland Minister for Environment and Minister for the Great Barrier Reef, Steven Miles, said Federal Labor’s investment would be guided by Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce Final Report.

“What's important about this announcement is not just the extra money, which is badly needed, it's the commitment to collaborate with Queensland on how it's spent.

“The Taskforce report is the first comprehensive road map for how to reduce pollution in the Reef, but Greg Hunt has ignored it.

“Federal Labor’s commitment to be informed by the science, and to work together with Queensland is a huge step forward.

“Combined with Queensland’s extra investment we will have $735 million to spend on water quality if Bill Shorten wins the election,” Dr Miles said.

Dr Miles said the biggest long term threat to the reef was climate change.

“The Reef has been experiencing a severe coral bleaching event caused by climate change.

“Unlike the LNP who are sticking their heads in the sand, Labor gets it – we need to invest now in initiatives that will make the reef more resilient to the effects of a changing climate.

“Instead of wasting time removing all mention of Australia from UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and Climate Change report, perhaps the Turnbull Government could put that energy into finding some new money to better the health of the reef. 

“The Queensland Government is working to implement the recommendations of the Water Science Taskforce Final Report which will improve the Reef’s resilience and ensure one of our biggest tourist attractions remains open for business,” Dr Miles said.

ENDS

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