Download Campaign Media Release Minister for Environment, Water and

Campaign Media Release
Minister for Environment, Water and Heritage Mark Butler
Candidate for Herbert Cathy O’Toole
Candidate for Dawson Bronwyn Taha
Candidate for Leichhardt Billy Gordon
LABOR COMMITS ADDITIONAL $12.6 MILLION TO TACKLE THE GREAT
BARRIER REEF’S MOST SIGNIFICANT THREATS
A re-elected Rudd Labor Government would commit an additional $12.6 million to
tackle two of the Great Barrier Reef’s most significant threats; an increase in
pollutants in the Reef lagoon and the unsustainable increase in crown of thorns
starfish.
The Minister for Environment, Mark Butler said due to the cumulative impacts of
climate change, water runoff from agricultural land has degraded significantly leading
to an increase in sediment, nutrients and pesticides in the Reef lagoon.
“Poor water quality has had a significant impact on the marine ecosystems within the
Great Barrier Reef. It is critical we work to improve water quality, but it will take
considerable time and effort.
“Degradation of water runoff quality and the resulting increase in nitrogen levels in
the Reef lagoon has been linked to outbreaks in crown of thorns starfish, one of the
most significant threats to the Reef.
“While natural to the Reef, when uncontrolled in number, the crown of thorns starfish
will destroy coral faster than it can regenerate.
“More than 100,000 crown of thorn starfish have been eradicated in Queensland
waters under the existing program but there is still work to be done.”
The population explosion of crown of thorns starfish has accounted for 42 per cent of
coral cover decline on the Great Barrier Reef over the past 27 years.
Labor’s candidate for Leichhardt Billy Gordon welcomed the announcement and said
through successful Labor initiatives, all members of the community had worked
together to improve water quality, and control the crown of thorns starfish population.
“It is critical that we continue this momentum and further work to secure the health of
one of our most valuable environmental assets.”
Labor would commit $12.6 million to three initiatives including:

$5 million to tackle water runoff quality, targeting the source of the spread of
crown of thorns starfish through the Reef.

$3.6 million to focus on local water quality improvements through wetland
restoration for the Wet Tropics and Burdekin Natural Resources Management
bodies ($1.8 million each).

$4 million to support a dedicated boat and crew operated by the Association
of Marine Park Tourism Operators to directly target the spread of crown of
thorns starfish through their existing culling program.
Labor’s candidate for Herbert Cathy O’Toole said Labor was serious about
addressing the challenges facing the Reef.
“This announcement builds on the $137.3 million in funding recently announced by
the Rudd Labor Government for projects to protect the Great Barrier Reef, improve
land management practices, restore the wetlands and improve the quality of water
flowing into the Reef.”
Labor’s candidate for Dawson Bronwyn Taha said Labor had a strong record in
acting to protect the Great Barrier Reef, including committing more than $400 million
for the Reef Rescue program since 2008.
“The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder and Federal Labor is committed to
protecting the Reef and supporting local jobs in the tourism industry.”
Minister Butler said the Reef attracts almost 2 million visitors every year, generating
more than $6 billion in revenue for our economy and supporting 120,000 Australian
jobs – jobs that depend on the future of the Reef.
Federal Labor has initiated a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great
Barrier Reef in conjunction with the Queensland Government and the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority. This work began in February 2012 to ensure the
continued long term protection of the unique environmental and heritage values of
the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Draft Strategic Assessment will be
available for public comments in October 2013.
This measure is a further investment by Labor in the future of the Reef and in
Australian jobs.
The additional $12.6 million to protect the Reef will be offset from unallocated funds
in the Biodiversity Fund.
TOWNSVILLE
3 SEPTEMBER 2013