Australia: Only Greens Oppose Great Barrier Reef Dumping

The Greens are the only party to oppose offshore dumping in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, as the Labor, Liberal and National parties voted down a Greens motion to stop any further offshore dumping approvals.

A Galaxy poll last week revealed 88 per cent of Queenslanders are opposed to the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef, even though the Federal Government has already approved more than 22 million cubic metres of dumping in the World Heritage area.

“All Queenslanders who love our Great Barrier Reef and want it protected should be voting Green in this Saturday’s election,” Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said.

“We’ve spoken out loud and clear on this issue: the Great Barrier Reef contributes $6 Billion to our economy every year and supports more than 60,000 jobs, and we don’t want to see it destroyed to become the world’s largest marine rubbish dump.

“Neither the Government nor the Coalition have seen fit to listen to the overwhelming majority or to international concern, and are rushing ahead to dredge up the Great Barrier Reef for a massive increase in fossil fuel exports.”

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, March 22, 2012; Image: westernbasinportdevelopment