Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to inform the senator that the government has undertaken more than three years of consultation. This included an independent scientific review and public fora, holding well over 200 meetings around Australia and receiving some 130,000 written submissions. We've listened to that stakeholder feedback and have taken a targeted approach to zoning that protects more conservation features, like canyons, seamounts and reefs, in the most protective zones, compared with what was proposed back in 2012. In fact, it protects some 344 highly important critical features, compared to Labor's 331, but does so in a way that reduces the impact on commercial and recreational fishers. These plans will protect important habitats and species across our marine parks and will ensure, through careful targeting, that we not only improve conservation outcomes but reduce the impact on marine users.

Senator Cameron interjecting—