The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia today welcomed Federal Labor’s election pledge of additional funding for the Great Barrier Reef, taking the party’s total commitment to protect the Reef to nearly $1.2 billion by the end of the decade.

“This is good news for our Great Barrier Reef and it’s heartening that there is now bipartisan support for long-term significant funding for our treasured national icon,” said WWF-Australia’s Head of Oceans Richard Leck.

“Even after decades of effort, water pollution remains a significant threat to the Reef’s future. There is a wealth of research and experience in how to improve water quality, and it’s vital this investment is well targeted at reducing the impacts from the activities and regions that most pollute the Reef.

“Further funds to support the protection of marine wildlife and Traditional Owner management are also very welcome.

“Earlier this week, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority released survey data from this year’s mass coral bleaching event. It showed signs of bleaching in 91% of reefs surveyed.

“As this bleaching event demonstrates, the number one threat to the Great Barrier Reef is climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

“Currently, Australia does not have a climate change policy that gives the Reef a fighting chance.

“The next Australian Government must significantly step up its ambition on climate in order to give the Reef a future, and implement real action to drive down greenhouse emissions this decade,” Mr Leck said.