Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The government opposes this motion. The Australian government is banning, through law, capital dredge disposal in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park now and for ever. This is delivering on the commitment made in November to end this century-old practice. The ban demonstrates our commitment to the Great Barrier Reef and the significant progress we are making to reduce cumulative pressures on this precious ecosystem. Climate change is a challenge for all reefs around the world—that is why we are focusing on addressing water quality to make the reef more resilient; that is why we have a $2.55 billion domestic climate change policy, with the Emissions Reduction Fund, and it is why we are looking to a good international agreement in Paris at the end of this year.