JULIE BISHOP: HERE ARE THE 'FACTS AND DETAILS' ON THE REEF

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment

 Climate Change and Water

Date:  21 November 2014

Julie Bishop has told media this morning that her office sent a briefing to the Whitehouse because she wanted President Obama to have the “facts and details” on the Abbott Government’s commitment to the Great Barrier Reef.

Did she tell the President these facts and details?

FACT: The World Heritage Committee has warned the Government that it will list the Reef as “in danger” next year if the Government does not take further action to protect it. The Committee said it regretted the Abbott Government’s decision to approve the dumping of 3 million cubic tonnes of dredge spoil near the Reef.

FACT: The Government’s own 2014 Outlook Report on the Reef states that, “climate change remains the most serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef”. The United Nations has found that Australia is in the top four countries that are not doing enough to mitigate climate change.

FACT: Since coming to Government, the Abbott Government has rushed through any development proposal to hit the Environment Minister’s desk, including numerous large scale projects on or near the reef.

FACT: Tony Abbott has attempted to handover environmental approvals to Campbell Newman, dissolving Commonwealth responsibility and accountability for the Reef.

FACT: The Abbott Government has slashed funding to projects to protect the Reef, including Caring for our Country, Landcare and Reef Rescue.

FACT: This morning Julie Bishop told SKY News that “we do not believe [the Reef] is in danger”. The Government’s Outlook Report says the Reef is an “icon under pressure” and that the “overall outlook for the Great Barrier Reef is poor”.

Dear Julie. Please feel free to send this statement to President Obama so he can have the facts.