Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Hume representing the environment minister. Minister, Australia has just successfully lobbied a UNESCO World Heritage Committee to vote against the scientific advice provided by the IUCN that the Great Barrier Reef should be listed as in danger. A report from Spanish media overnight quoted Spain's UNESCO ambassador as admitting to striking a deal with Australia, that they would support Australia's amendments to have the reef not listed as in danger if Australia backed its attempt to have two Spanish properties added to the UNESCO World Heritage List despite the committee recommending against this. We have also heard that Australia co-sponsored an amendment to list a site in Saudi Arabia despite the committee also recommending against this. Minister, can you confirm these reports and detail what other deals were done in the name of your government's political agenda?