UPDATE: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef remains vulnerable to environmental threats, according to leading economist Ken Henry, who warns that proposed reforms by the Albanese government will not close a critical 25-year loophole. This alarming revelation comes as the government seeks to pass new environmental laws aimed at protecting one of the nation’s largest economic assets.
In a statement expected to be delivered on Wednesday at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia in Brisbane, Dr. Henry emphasized that the current legal framework allows for “irresponsible clearing” of land, jeopardizing both the reef ecosystem and its economic contributions. Between 2019/20 and 2022/23, approximately 500,000 hectares of forest and woodlands were cleared in catchment areas, leading to detrimental sediment and chemical runoff into the reef.
“The need for national laws to address this problem is clear on environmental grounds alone,” Dr. Henry will assert. The Great Barrier Reef is not just an ecological treasure but also a significant economic powerhouse, contributing approximately $9 billion annually and supporting around 77,000 jobs. “If the reef were an employer, it would be Australia’s fifth largest,” he pointed out.
Despite the government’s reform plans, Dr. Henry claims that both existing laws and proposed changes fail to empower the federal government to take necessary actions against harmful land clearing practices. He stresses the urgency for cooperation between the federal and Queensland governments to close these loopholes immediately. The World Heritage Committee recently urged Queensland authorities to strengthen protections for valuable vegetation areas.
“Queenslanders are custodians of some quite outstanding natural and cultural heritage assets, of global significance,” Dr. Henry will highlight. “These are treasures whose protection is a shared responsibility.”
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for the federal government stated that the reforms are vital and well overdue. They aim to establish strong national environmental standards and outline unacceptable impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, which is classified as a protected Matter of National Environmental Significance.
The spokesperson also noted that the Albanese government has committed a record $1.2 billion through 2030 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the reef. This includes funds aimed at improving water quality and managing agricultural runoff, which are critical for maintaining the reef’s health.
As negotiations continue between Labor, the Coalition, and the Greens over the proposed reforms, Dr. Henry criticized the current environmental act for having “failed miserably.” He emphasized that the last three Australian parliaments have attempted to reform these laws, with previous efforts ending in failure.
“Neither the environment nor the economy can afford a third failure. Three strikes and we are out,” Dr. Henry warned.
He expressed cautious optimism regarding the proposed reforms, which aim to empower Environment Minister Murray Watt to establish National Environmental Standards and define “unacceptable impacts.” The proposed bill also seeks to create a long-awaited National Environmental Protection Agency.
Dr. Henry issued a stark warning about the implications of ineffective reforms on Australia’s net zero targets, stating that achieving these goals is impossible without robust national laws that set clear environmental standards and a respected national regulator.
The urgency for immediate action cannot be overstated. As the discussions unfold and the federal government presses ahead with its reform agenda, the survival of the Great Barrier Reef—and the vast economic benefits it provides—hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
