Labor pledges more money to protect Great Barrier Reef from climate change if elected
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Loading... - Oliver Smith
- 12 May 2022
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Federal Labor has announced an additional $194 million over four years to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change if it wins government on May 21.
The money would also go towards reducing plastic pollution, helping farmers use less fertiliser and installing real time water quality sensors to study changes in temperature.
The crown of thorns culling program would be expanded and more money would go towards researching "thermal tolerant corals to help climate adaption".
Turtles, dugongs, and dolphins would also be protected from illegal fishing and poaching with Indigenous rangers to play a greater role in conservation.
The funding increase would take Labor's total investment to almost $1.2 billion by the end of the decade.
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Labor leader Anthony Albanese said protecting the reef would also help secure tens of thousands of jobs that rely on tourism in Queensland.
"Seeing the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef is a highlight for so many Australians," Mr Albanese said.
"But parents and grandparents are worried their children will not be able to see this incredible wonder for themselves."
Mr Albanese is expected to outline more details while campaigning in Queensland on Friday, a state that is crucial to his election changes.
Coalition's pre-election promise
In January, Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced $1 billion in new money for the reef after warnings it could it be listed as in danger by the United Nation's environmental body.
The government hopes the funding will help protect more than 64,000 jobs and $6.4 billion in tourism dollars attached to the reef economy.
"Our farmers, tourism operators and fishers are our reef champions and we are supporting them through practical water and land-based strategies that will contribute significantly to the health of the reef," Ms Ley said at the time. Read More...
