Abbott’s cuts to Great Barrier Reef funding threaten its future

Media Release

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Shadow Environment Minister Jackie Trad has savaged the Abbott Government’s decision to rip $2.8 million in funding from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and $7.8 million from the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
“Cutting funding to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is sheer madness,” Ms Trad said.
“Within the last two months both UNESCO and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have pointed to the significant threats facing the reef including the ongoing concerns of climate change and ocean acidification."
“UNESCO has indicated that it will consider whether to list the reef as ‘in danger’ at its 2015 conference and the IPCC has shown that coral reefs are the marine ecosystem most at risk from climate change."
“Funding cuts to one of Australia’s most important natural landmarks is short-sighted and potentially dangerous to the Reef’s future.”
Ms Trad said the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park attracted about 1.9 million visits each year, contributed $5.4 billion to the Queensland economy and accounted for 54,000 jobs.
“Reducing funding to research and management activities within the marine park places the massive economic contribution of the reef at risk."
“The Abbott Government has attempted to hide this budget cut with a smoke and mirrors move to create a ‘Reef Trust.’
“In reality the money set aside for the ‘Reef Trust’ is merely repackaged from the existing Landcare and Caring for our Country programs, including the $200 million reef rescue package announced by the former Labor Government.”
Ms Trad said even the Queensland Resources Council was appalled by the decision to reduce funding to GBRMPA.
QRC Michael Roche said, "We were mightily surprised there would be cuts to the budget for the GBRMPA and also to the Australian Institute of Marine Science. "These are two essential institutions providing overview and research into the management of the Great Barrier Reef." (ABC, 14 May 2014)

“When taken together with the budget cuts to environmental science totalling $21.7 million dollars this is a disastrous budget for the Queensland environment,” Ms Trad said.