2016-05-02
The Senate has supported a Greens motion calling on the Government to address coral bleaching and reinstate our world leading system of marine parks.
“I welcome the Senate’s acknowledgment that Australia has some of the world’s greatest marine natural environments, with rich biodiversity and unique species”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“When elected the Abbott Government abandoned our world-class marine parks, Mr Turnbull has done nothing to reinstate them.
“When I brought this motion to a vote the Government said communities had been ‘trampled on’ when these marine parks were previously implemented, that could not be further from the truth, consultation was extensive.
“With coral bleaching of our reefs occurring, it is time for the Government to stop wasting time with its review and reinstate increasingly important marine parks so that our reefs have the best possible chance of recovery.
“The Government should reflect community respect and understanding of preserving our oceans before it is too late”.
Motion reads:
*1159 Senator Siewert: To move—That the Senate—
- recognises that Australia has some of the world’s greatest marine natural environments, with rich biodiversity and unique species;
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notes that:
- in 2016 Australian reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef and reefs off the coast of Western Australia, have experienced coral bleaching, and
- the Government has undermined Australia’s world-leading system of marine parks with the suspension of management plans for these marine parks; and
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calls on the Government to:
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make the marine parks operational without further delay, and
(ii) commit adequate funding for management, buyout and education.
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make the marine parks operational without further delay, and