A scorecard, out today, reveals how the Great Barrier Reef would fare according to promises made by the major political parties standing in Saturday’s state election.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), an independent and non-partisan national environment organisation based in Queensland, compiled the following scorecard:
AMCS Fight For Our Reef Campaign Director Imogen Zethoven said Queenslanders are proud and protective of the Reef – and expect their MPs to look after it.
“Queenslanders are rightly proud that our state is home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders. We expect our politicians, as caretakers, to do the right thing and look after our Reef and oceans. We also strongly support renewables over polluting coal.
“We know coal kills coral, yet we still see political parties promising to build new coal-fired power stations and support new mega new coal mines. It’s time they started listening to voters and – for the sake of the 64,000 Queensland workers who depend on a healthy Reef – back the renewable energy and storage boom already underway.
“Our amazing ocean backyard is central to our identity and our lifestyle, and it is at risk from climate change, pollution and industrial development. We have a lot to lose.
“The future of the Reef is in the hands of the next Queensland government. Whichever party forms government on Saturday, they must make sure our children and grandchildren can enjoy this amazing underwater world as much as we do.
“Queenslanders want a brighter future for the Sunshine State in which we look after our natural assets and create jobs that are local, long-term and sustainable,” Ms Zethoven said.
To access the scorecard, find out more about how the scorecard was put together, visit fightforourreef.org.au/voteforourreef
About the scorecard:
The AMCS Queensland Election Policy Scorecard is an independent assessment of the parties’ policies by the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is a Queensland-based national environmental organisation representing a quarter of a million people across Queensland and the country.
We are independent, non-partisan and do not endorse parties or direct people how to vote, but offer independent policy assessments of where the parties stand on the big issues facing our Reef and our oceans.
For more information contact:
AMCS Communications Manager, Ingrid Neilson: 0421 972 731
AMCS Media and Communications Officer, Gemma Freeman: 0412 505 405