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

I thank the senator for her question. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's greatest treasures. It is one of Australia's most significant environmental places and has been recognised as one of the healthiest coral reef ecosystems and best managed marine areas in the world. The Gillard government is acutely aware of the challenges facing the reef, such as climate change and the impacts of coastal development. The threats to the reef and the issues impacting on it, highlighted in the mission's report and the draft state of consultation report, are clearly acknowledged in the outlook report of the Great Barrier Reef prepared by the GBRMPA in 2009. While these issues are complex—