WWF: NEW QLD GOVERNMENT MUST HIT GROUND RUNNING ON THE REEF

WWF-Australia today congratulated ALP leader Annastacia Palaszczuk on becoming Queensland Premier and welcomed her new government’s commitments to the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Reef was a major issue for Queenslanders in this election and they now expect that the next government will deliver on its Reef plan,” said WWF-Australia's CEO Dermot O’Gorman.  

“There is much to do and we look forward to working with the government to turn around the Reef’s decline,” he said.

Measures promised by the ALP during the election campaign include:

• A ban on sea-based disposal of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area;
• A commitment to achieve an 80% reduction in pollution run-off into the Great Barrier Reef by 2025;
• Reinstating key legal safeguards for the Reef – including protection of bushland, coastal protections and water reform;
• Providing an additional $100 million over five years towards water quality initiatives, scientific research and better environmental practices in the primary production and fishing industries;
• No dumping of dredge spoil on the fragile Caley Valley wetlands at Abbot Point; and
• Protection of the Fitzroy Delta near Rockhampton

"With the decision on the future status of the Reef to be made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in June, it’s important that the new Queensland Government hits the ground running in order to turn around the Reef’s decline,” Mr O’Gorman said.

WWF-Australia Media Contact:

Mark Symons, Senior Media Officer, 0400 985 571