MEDIA RELEASE: LABOR WELCOMES CITIZENS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF LAUNCH

THE HON TONY BURKE MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

MEMBER FOR WATSON
 

THE HON ANTHONY ALBANESE MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR TOURISM

MEMBER FOR GRAYNDLER

 

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

SHADOW MINISTER CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY

MEMBER FOR PORT ADELAIDE

 

LABOR WELCOMES CITIZENS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF LAUNCH 

Labor welcomes today’s unveiling of the Citizens Gateway in Cairns, which marks the official start of the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef movement.

A new organisation, the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef aims to create a global community committed to a more sustainable future where each individual recognises the role they can play in the preservation of the world’s largest living wonder – the Great Barrier Reef.

Just last month a delegation of senior Labor Shadow Ministers met with representatives from the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef to discuss the campaign and the significance of the Reef.

The fact is, the Great Barrier Reef is not only a national icon, but it also underpins local economies and communities.

A recent report by Deloitte confirms this, placing the value of the Reef at $56 billion and revealing that the Reef contributed $6.4 billion to the Australian economy in 2015-16, supporting 64,000 full time jobs.

Labor recognises the Federal Government has a role to play in the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef and is also committed to taking action on climate change.

In contrast we have seen the Liberal National Government remove critical protections for the Coral Sea, trash Labor’s land clearing laws and fail to put forward a climate change policy.  

To make matters worse for those working in the tourism sector, the Liberal National Government has cut funding for Tourism Australia by $35 million over the forwards and increased visa application charges.

Communities around the nation, including those here in Tropical North Queensland, rely on tourism for their local economy.

Labor will take real and strong action to protect our Reef, our jobs and our economy and congratulates Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef on their campaign milestone today.

THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 2017

Tony Burke