Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. It's a good opportunity for us to talk about how this side of the House is dedicated to the health of the reef, so I thank the member for his question. The member for Kennedy knows that there are a number of threats to the reef. The crown-of-thorns starfish is just one of these. There are issues relating to water and issues relating to farm run-off. On this side of the House we are dedicated to the health of the reef. Australians know that we are dedicated to the health of the reef, but, in particular, those 64,000 regional Queenslanders know only too well that we are dedicated to the health of the reef because they rely upon the reef for their jobs. Also, the reef contributes some $6.4 billion to the bottom line of the Australian economy, so we take it seriously. There are a number of threats, and the crown-of-thorns starfish is just one of those threats. But I can assure the member for Kennedy that I'm very, very happy to work with him. Perhaps you and I can have a conversation this afternoon.

Mr Katter interjecting—

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