BUDGET: REEF FUNDING FALLS SHORT

Tonight’s Australian Budget has fallen short in the funding needed to save the Great Barrier Reef.

The budget is the last before UNESCO makes its decision in June on the future of the Reef’s World Heritage listing but only allocated 20% ($100 million) of the funds needed (at least $500 million) to fight chemical pollution flowing to the Reef.

Tonight’s budget also confirmed significant cuts to Overseas Development Assistance for East Asia (as foreshadowed in the mid year economic review), undermining the sustainable development of our region.

WWF-Australia Conservation Director Dr Gilly Llewellyn said Australians are responsible and generous global citizens, and the federal budget should reflect those values.

“WWF’s Living Planet Report tells us that Australia has the 13^th largest Ecological Footprint per person in the world, made up mostly of carbon pollution,” Dr Llewellyn said.

“If we want to protect places such as our World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and help our regional neighbours to have a more sustainable future, the environment needs to be made a priority in the budget.”

WWF-Australia Media Contact: 

Daniel Rockett, National Media Manager