CLIMATE CHANGE GREATEST THREAT TO THE REEF

Media Release

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT

CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER

MEMBER FOR PORT ADELAIDE

Date:  25 May 2016

The Great Barrier Reef Water Science Task Force has delivered its final report to the Queensland Government - with a stinging reminder that the greatest threat to the Reef is climate change.
While water quality issues pose a very significant threat to reef health, everyone but Malcolm Turnbull acknowledges that the greatest threat to the Reef is climate change.
Malcolm Turnbull used to say he believed in climate change, but now it isn’t even on his radar.
In clear contrast, Labor has positive policies to act on climate change.
Labor’s Climate Change Action Plan will get Australia’s pollution levels back under control which will be one crucial step towards saving the Reef.
We’ll set a goal of net zero pollution by 2050 and drastically increase our investment in renewable energies like solar. We’ll cut pollution with an emissions trading scheme, generate cleaner power, increase energy efficiency and capture carbon on the land.
The latest Ipsos poll shows two thirds of voters believe that Malcolm Turnbull is doing ‘not very much’ or ‘nothing’ to combat climate change. [SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 25/5/16, P7]
These voters are right. Mr Turnbull and his team of climate change deniers have no serious plan to reduce pollution or grow our renewable energy industry.
The Great Barrier Reef Water Science Task Force has provided 10 recommendations including strategies for improving water quality and structural improvements to governance and management practice.
Labor will consider these recommendations and the broader detail of the report.