Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I will let UNESCO make its decisions. We will make decisions as the Australian government. The decisions of the Australian government are focused on protecting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef to the absolute best of our ability.

I was about to say, before my time ran out, that the historic level of funding that we are providing as a government includes a $443.3 million dollar Reef Trust partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The foundation's 2019-20 annual work plan allocates over $58 million for reef action, including controlling crown-of-thorns starfish and working with farmers to improve reef water quality. Again, let me reassure Senator Whish-Wilson that we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to ensure the Great Barrier Reef is in the best possible position over the very long term.