Parliament

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Answers to questions on notice
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio
Supplementary Budget Estimates, October 2011

Both the Government and the Coalition bowed to the whims of the fossil fuel industries today, in voting down a Greens’ motion to suspend dredging and development in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef until the cumulative impacts of the mass dredging projects can be properly assessed.

There was public outrage at the damage to the Reef from coal and coal seam gas ports exposed by Four Corners this week, with more than 40,000 people already signing a petition to save the Reef.

Senator Larissa Waters questions SEWPaC officials regarding the dumping of dredge spoil from Gladstone harbour and the impact of LNG export facilities on the World Heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef.

TRANSCRIPT:

CHAIR: Thank you, Senator Boswell. Senator Waters.

Senator WATERS: What advice did heritage officials give the minister about the impacts of dumping 11 million cubic metres of dredge spoil from Gladstone Harbour into the World Heritage area?