[Greens-Media] FW: Media release: UN warns Great Barrier Reef still headed for In Danger listing

[McLeod, Eleanor (Sen L. Waters)]

Senator Larissa Waters
Senator for Queensland

Media release

Thursday, 1 May, 2014

UN warns Great Barrier Reef still headed for In Danger listing

UNESCO's draft decision overnight confirming that the Great Barrier Reef is still being considered for a Sites In Danger listing, is an embarrassment for Australia as the Newman and Abbott governments are criticised for their lack of long-term protection for the Reef, say the Australian Greens.

"UNESCO has not resiled from its recommendation that the Reef be considered for listing as In Danger unless there is substantial progress by the Newman and Abbott governments on implementing the Committee's earlier recommendations to save the Reef," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens environment spokesperson, said.

"It's clear that Abbott and Newman have failed their homework when it comes to protecting the Reef, with UNESCO's draft decision specifically criticising the Abbot Point coal port approval and noting that the strategic assessment needs more work to become a long term plan for the Reef.

"UNESCO also criticised the Queensland Government for their Draft Ports Strategy which restricts future port developments, but doesn't apply to the existing mega ports proposed which were the initial trigger for UNESCO's "extreme concern".

"Since the World Heritage Committee gave its initial warning more than two years ago, the Newman and Abbott governments have continued with mega industrial ports alongside the Reef, and want to wind back meaningful action to address climate change.

"That means mass dredging and dumping of sludge back into reef waters to enable thousands more coal and gas ships to cross the reef every year.

"It's outrageous that the Queensland Government seems too busy backing the mining industry's PR campaigns and boycotting ice-cream companies rather than working to save our Reef from the destruction of the big miners.

"The Greens are the only party that is standing up for the Great Barrier Reef, the biodiversity it supports and the 63,000 people it provides a livelihood.

"I currently have a bill in the Senate to adopt the World Heritage Committee's recommendations, including banning new ports in pristine areas and placing a moratorium on all further developments until a long term plan for the Reef to the satisfaction of UNESCO is completed.

"Protecting the Great Barrier Reef must be beyond politics, and I call on all parties to support my bill to implement UNESCO's recommendations to save the Reef," Senator Waters said.

Contact - Eleanor McLeod 0419 626 725