Great Barrier Reef and tourism at issue in the Queensland election

The Great Barrier Reef, and the tourism industry it supports, have become big issues in this weekend’s Queensland general election.

While both the ruling Liberal National Party (LNP) and the Labor Party have pledged funds for tourism development, the LNP’s backing of coal mine and port developments in North Queensland have been widely criticised for having likely negative environmental effects on the Reef, and a consequent impact on tourism.

Incumbent Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has made the development of mega coal mines in the Galilee basin a key state election issue, citing their creation of jobs and generation of royalties.

However, dumping dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is opposed by an overwhelming majority of Queenslanders, with a poll showing they want less mining-related activity around the Great Barrier Reef.

Three-quarters of 43,133 respondents to a recent Vote Compass Queensland survey conducted by ABC News answered “somewhat less” or “much less” to the question: “How much mining activity should be permitted in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef?”

Following threats last year by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to add the Reef to the World Heritage in Danger list in 2015, unless the Australian and Queensland Governments to further protect it., Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has issued a temporary ban on dumping dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Minister Hunt is understood to be considering a revised plan to dump the spoil in the Caley Valley wetlands instead. However, as run-off from the wetlands flows out to the Reef, this measure is also being opposed by environmentalists.

Queensland Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has pledged $100 million over the next five years to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef and reduce nitrogen and sediment run-off.

The Queensland state election will be held this Saturday (31st January 2015).

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