MP for Herbert Phillip Thompson and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley talk Reef HQ future and ‘disappointing’ budget

Federal MPs have doubled down on a push for more Reef HQ funding as a campaign is launched to save the city’s aquarium. Here’s why they think the project needs funding.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley and Herbert MP Phillip Thompson. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Federal MPs have doubled down on a push for more Reef HQ funding as a campaign is launched to save the city’s aquarium.

Reef HQ, which has since been demolished as part of updated plans, was originally set to be refurbished as part of a revitalisation project. Since then, the project has expanded, requiring more money.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said Reef HQ, and the plans to build a state-of-the-art education centre at the site, was not just a “small fish tank”, but a major development.

Mr Thompson was joined in Townsville by Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Sussan Ley.

“It is a large living organism, from starfish to sharks to other fish. Our marine biologist, our scientists and our leaders get to educate the younger generation, the tens of thousands of people that have travelled from just not Townsville and around the state and country, but around the world.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith at empty site of the proposed new aquarium in Flinders Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

“To have this Labor government not commit $1, not commit a cent, not to even tell the people of Townsville what the plan is, there is a big cloud over Reef HQ right now.”

Mr Thompson described the announcement of no funding as ‘disgraceful’ and called on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and the Labor government to do more.

“I think that this Labor government and the minister should be in Townsville looking the public in the eye and tell them what they are going to do. If they are not going to do this, be open, honest and transparent,” he said.

“We want Reef HQ to be funded, we want the project to have an outline and the community to be brought along on the journey, because right now people have been left behind, not spoken and the minister is in hiding and won’t even talk about what’s happening. I think it’s a disgrace.”

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence, which would replace Reef HQ.

Ms Ley said called the government ‘sneaky’ and ‘untransparent’ to not allocate funding to the refurbishment.

“What this tells me is that this government wants Reef HQ to disappear off the map,” she said.

Environment minister Tanya Plibersek did not respond to questions on details of the future of Reef HQ and lack of funding, but said Labor was taking ‘real action’ to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“We’re investing a record $1.2 billion in the Great Barrier Reef and legislated to reach net zero, with a 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 and committed to reaching 82 per cent renewable energy supply by 2030,” she said.

Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Tanya Plibersek. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

“Like many of their commitments, the Liberals and Nationals announced something and didn’t set aside enough funding to deliver it. We are working with the Reef Authority on next steps.”

Ms Ley was in the North to talk with small businesses, saying the budget did not go far enough to support them.

“We will be getting around today and making sure that the people’s voices here in Townsville go all the way back to the leadership of the Liberal Party and the opposition,” he said.

“To have the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, who has a key focus on small and family business, here in Townsville yet again shows the commitment that we have for this city. To grow it, to make sure that people here can prosper and to make sure that businesses not only have a go, but thrive.”

“Small and family business is the backbone of our economy, it is the strength of the city and it’s the heart of the nation.”

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley and Herbert MP Phillip Thompson. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Ms Ley said that ‘Townsville matters’, with local businesses playing a key part in the success of the city.

“Last week we saw a limp, lame budget from Anthony Albanese that failed to deliver a proper plan to actually reduce prices and reduce costs to businesses,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone in this region looking at that awful budget, that buy now pay later budget, would think that there was anything in it for them.”

“It is an insult to offer a small business $325 off their electricity price over a year, maybe a dollar a day. It’s outrageous to think, as Dr Jim Chalmers seems to, that this is going to help.”

Mr Thompson, who has been fierce advocate for saving the aquarium, said the government has’ forgotten about the North and forgotten about the people of Townsville.

“We’ve seen cuts, we’ve seen chaos and the government likes to speak more about the opposition that they do about their own budget, and that's because there is not much in it.” he said.

Originally published as MP for Herbert Phillip Thompson and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley talk Reef HQ future and ‘disappointing’ budget