Australia deserves a better process: Palaszczuk on Reef

As the Reef gets a $100 million-plus federal injection, the Premier has asked the Prime Minister to join forces to save its $6 billion annual revenue from a UNESCO endangered declaration.

A $111 million cash injection to the Great Barrier Reef will get it on track to meet its 2025 water quality targets, a report released today will say as pressure mounts on the World Heritage Committee to reverse its controversial “in danger” listing of the icon.

It comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Australia “deserves a better process” from the WHC and that she was “extremely concerned” about the impact the listing would have on jobs.

More cash is coming to improve water quality at the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Brendan Radke

She has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison proposing to “send a strong signal” to prevent the committee by beefing up cash for renewable energy and water quality.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, an independent charity that entered a partnership with the Federal Government in 2018, will outline its plan on Wednesday to spend $111 million this year on water quality management, coral regrowth and containing crown of thorns star fish outbreaks.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the spending would deliver on the Reef 2050 Plan, which was raised by the WHC in its draft decision last month.

“They are delivering tangible outcomes for the Reef and the communities who depend on it,” Ms Ley said.

It comes as Ms Palaszczuk wrote to Mr Morrison saying it was “imperative” they work jointly to commit to new and united action to protect the Reef and jobs it supported, to prevent the “in danger” listing.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley says the $111 million funding from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation will deliver tangible outcomes to the national icon. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“I am extremely concerned about the impact such a decision could have on jobs, with the Reef historically supporting 60,000 jobs and $6 billion in production annually,” she said.

She proposed sending a “strong signal” by the Federal Government matching the state’s commitment for reef water quality improvement programs, matching its $2 billion spending on renewable energy and additional projects in reef catchment areas.

A spokesman for Ms Ley said she would work constructively with the Queensland Government to protect the reef and to ensure their joint efforts are properly considered in any determination by the WHC.

He said the Federal Government was providing $2.08 billion of the $3.05 billion funding under the Reef 2050 plan.

“This is a time when all levels of government need to work together in the interests of the 64,000 Australians whose livelihoods are tied to the Reef,” he said.