- Queenslanders demand strong climate action
- Next four years are critical for our Great Barrier Reef
- LNP has committed to strong emissions reductions target – let's see the plan for delivering it within first 100 days
Following Saturday's election, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) congratulates the LNP on its victory and looks forward to working with the government to drive robust protections for Queensland's marine environments, which are of national and global significance.
AMCS is a non-partisan organisation, assessing political commitments on issues critical to Queensland's coasts and marine life. Our Election Scorecard showed differences between the major parties on environmental concerns relating to the future of our precious Great Barrier Reef. The LNP secured victory with a stance on climate and environmental issues that included a commitment to a 75% emissions reduction target by 2035.
AMCS Great Barrier Reef Campaign Manager Dr. Lissa Schindler said: "The new Queenlsand government takes the reins at the most critical time for saving the Great Barrier Reef."
"The very future of our Reef and the tens of thousands of tourism jobs it supports is in danger, with an ever narrowing window to take the action needed to protect it from ocean warming and water pollution.
"As stewards of our iconic and globally important Great Barrier Reef – the new government has a global responsibility to make safeguarding its future a top priority.
"Decisions they make in the next four years will have profound implications for the Reef, which faces yet another summer of extreme temperatures, heightening the risk of mass bleaching.
"In particular, we're eager to see the LNP's plan for achieving their emissions reduction target within their first 100 days in office."
AMCS will advocate vigorously to ensure the new government fulfils its promises and advances stronger initiatives to preserve our Reef, safeguarding the marine life and communities that depend on it.
Dr. Schindler said: "The LNP has shown bipartisan dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2035 to combat climate change. We now look forward to a detailed plan for achieving this target, which is crucial for the Reef's survival."
This year has been among the worst on record for the Great Barrier Reef, facing extreme weather, flooding, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and the fifth mass bleaching event in just eight years. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that rising sea temperatures could lead to one of the most intense cyclone seasons in years, adding further strain to an already stressed ecosystem.
The Reef, Queensland's most valuable natural asset, sustains a $6 billion tourism industry and supports 64,000 jobs. The latest Outlook report paints a bleak future for the Reef if climate change is not curbed. Bipartisan support for cutting emissions in one of the highest emitting states in the country has been a beacon of hope for the Great Barrier Reef. The plan to deliver this must be a priority for the incoming government.
