Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I think Senator Waters for her question, but I would caution her—and I am sure all of our colleagues sitting around the chamber would join me in this—not to take anything on the front page of the Australian as a given fact. I am sure I do not need to explain that to your colleagues.

The Great Barrier Reef is, as you know, one of the world's great treasures and the Australian government is committed to responsible management of this region to protect it for future generations. Disposing of dredge material in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is absolutely a last option and all proposals are subject to a rigorous environmental impact assessment process before a permit is granted. The Australian government has asked the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to consult on a proposed environmental management charge for the disposal of dredge material in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The authority is perfectly capable of making decisions to protect the reef regardless of how revenue is raised. You only have to look at Mr Burke's response to the Hummock Hill Island proposal, which would have increased revenue through the tourism management charge, to see this. It is absurd that tourism operators have to pay a charge to operate in the reef but that dredgers do not. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is widely recognised as one of the best managed marine protected areas in the world. It is a multiple use marine park which supports a range of activities, industries, communities and businesses. The Australian government has asked that consultation occur in relation to the possible introduction of an EMC for dredge material disposal in the marine park. The consultation period closed on 23 February 2012 and comments are now being collated. (Time expired)