LABOR'S LEGACY RECOGNISED BY UNESCO

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment
 Climate Change and Water

Date:  02 July 2015

The decision by the World Heritage Committee not to list the Great Barrier Reef as “World Heritage In Danger” confirms Labor’s legacy for world-class environmental management policy. 

Federal Labor began the Strategic Assessment of the Great Barrier Reef in 2011, initiating the whole of government response to addressing the pressures on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Federal Labor established the $200 million Reef Rescue program to improve the quality of water run-off from land-based activities. 

Federal Labor established the Sea Country Partnerships program and implemented Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreements with Traditional Owner groups. 

Federal Labor extended the REEFVTS vessel tracking system and increased penalties for non-compliance in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We also initiated the North East Shipping Management Plan. 

Federal Labor extended the Reef Guardians program to include councils, farmers, graziers and fishers. 

Federal Labor provided $9 million for the Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Action Plan, extending the program for another five years in 2012. This program included the Marine Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy. 

In Opposition, Federal Labor announced we will introduce complete ban on capital dredge spoil dumping in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. 

We also vehemently oppose the Abbott Government’s plans to hand over protection powers of the Great Barrier Reef to the state government and local councils. 

We are pleased the Abbott Government has continued most of Labor’s successful policies to protect the Great Barrier Reef. 

But, as has come to be expected of this Government, they are taking credit for Labor’s work. 

The Federal Environment Minister has a shocking environmental protection record, proudly presiding over more major projects in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment than any of his predecessors. 

His Government is trying absolve itself of all responsibility for protecting Australia’s most valuable environmental assets, including the Great Barrier Reef, through it bilateral agreements policy. All while the Abbott Government continues with discredited policies to deal with the challenge of climate change. 

Labor welcomes this decision from the World Heritage Committee which will bring much relief to the thousands of people who rely on the Reef’s World Heritage status.