Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Australia has:

(i) some of the world's greatest marine natural resources, with rich biodiversity and unique species, and

(ii) the potential for a world leading system of marine reserves;

(b) recognises that scientific analysis predicts that marine food chains are at risk of collapse due to global warming, overfishing and pollution; and

(c) calls on the Turnbull Government to reinstate Australia's system of marine reserves.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes this motion. The coalition is committed to a network of marine parks. Through the Commonwealth Marine Reserves Review process, we have run over 170 consultations nationwide to ensure that when we do implement marine management plans they appropriately balance conservation, recreation, commercial and Indigenous needs. Those opposite should have tried consulting the communities who depend on the marine environment when they were previously in office, then there would not be the need to clean up their mess. Australia's fisheries management framework is second to none. The recent ABARES fishery status reports show no solely Commonwealth-managed fisheries is subject to overfishing. This is a significant milestone, highlighting something which we should be proud of.

Question agreed to.