[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE Newman's track record on reef won't impress UNESCO

[Vandeleur, Monique (Sen L. Waters)]

Senator Larissa Waters
Senator for Queensland

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, June 6, 2013

NEWMAN'S TRACK RECORD ON REEF WON'T IMPRESS UNESCO

The Newman Government must improve on its shameful track record of Great Barrier Reef destruction if it wants to be taken seriously in direct talks with UNESCO, which the deputy premier announced he would pursue today.

"Since UNESCO gave its initial warning that the reef could be added to the World Heritage list of sites in danger more than a year ago, the Newman and Gillard governments have continued to push mega industrial ports on the reef coast," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens environment spokesperson, said.

"In draft documents prepared for an international World Heritage meeting this month, UNESCO expressed concern over the lack of progress made by the Newman and Gillard governments in following its recommendations on the reef's management.

"The Greens are the only party standing up for the Great Barrier Reef - I have a bill before the Senate to adopt UNESCO's recommendations, including no new ports in pristine areas and no new developments until the joint government strategic assessment is finished in 2015.

"In the Newman Government's submission to the Senate inquiry into my bill, the government made no commitments to slow coal port development, again ignoring UNESCO's recommendations.

"Queenslanders and UNESCO are both crying out for this seventh natural wonder of the world to be saved from destruction for the private profits of the big mining companies.

"The old parties are so wedded to the big mining companies that they're facilitating the Great Barrier Reef's destruction through dredging, dumping and shipping for coal exports that will significantly contribute to climate change, intensifying the extreme weather events that we're all too familiar with here in Queensland," Senator Waters said.