Senator Nita Green: Well, first of all, thanks for being here on a Saturday and can I begin by saying thank you to the Socceroos. Not just for the way they've played but for the way they've brought this country together. I think it is incredibly heartbreaking and disappointing to lose through a penalty shootout, but we know this is a young side and I think particularly we are feeling for Lucas Harrington this morning, but we know that they played their hearts out literally till the last second of the penalty shoot out. And so I hope all Australians this morning had a chance to watch the game and we know that the boys will be back very soon and we support them, we thank them and they've brought this country together and we are very proud.
Some more exciting news overnight for all Australians. I'm very pleased to say that last night the UNESCO World Heritage Centre released a draft decision into the Great Barrier Reef, which recognises Australia's continued efforts to protect and manage this important icon. Australia welcomes UNESCO's decision to not list the Reef as 'in-danger' and recognise all of the work that's been going into protecting the Reef and managing the Reef for many years now. We know that it's incredibly important to protect this special icon, an icon that so many travellers visit from year to year and an icon that supports 77,000 jobs. This decision that was released last night is a draft decision, but it recognises all of the work that the government's been putting into protecting the Reef and managing the Reef.
We've committed with the Queensland government since 2014, over $5 billion to protect this important natural asset and this important economic asset as well. And that's exactly what this decision recognises overnight. Now this is a decision that will be considered by the World Heritage Committee in a matter of weeks and we look forward to the final decision being recognised. But what's significant about this decision is that it only asks Australia to come back with a progress report in 2028, and a full conservation report in 2029 to be considered in 2030. This is the first time in quite a few years since we've been working to restore the Great Barrier Reef under this government that we've had such an extensive reporting period put to us. We're excited by that.
We've been working constructively with UNESCO, and I know everyone who relies on the Reef for their job, every Australian that loves to see the Reef in their backyard will be excited by this decision. And finally, can I say on a bit of a cheeky note, it's a big wedding in New York today. We would welcome any honeymooners or newlyweds to the Reef, to Taylor and Travis, If you haven't picked a honeymoon spot, the Great Barrier Reef is a great place to go. I'm happy to take any questions.
Journalist: Minister, the UN's decision says also doesn't it, that Australia needs to do more to build the Reef's resilience, particularly in light of weather patterns that are coming. Do you acknowledge that shortcoming?
Green: There is always more work to do when it comes to building the Reef's resilience. This is a constant, constant effort from our government and the Queensland government to not only build the Reef's resilience against climate change but to reduce the risk of poor water quality, overfishing, and the effects that we've seen from crown-of-thorns starfish. The draft decision recognises all of that work that Australia has been doing to manage those risks, but also recognises that climate change will continue to be a risk to the Reef and that's why this government has made such a concerted effort to take action on climate change. The two things go hand in hand and that's why we welcome the decision from UNESCO overnight.
Journalist: UNESCO also says that Australia needs to return to the World Heritage Committee with a progress report on protecting the Reef in 2028, and it warns that if enough progress is not made, it might need to list the Reef as 'in-danger'. How's that a good outcome for the government?
Green: Oh, it's a really good outcome for the government because over the last four years since we came to government, we have been working constructively with UNESCO to provide progress reports and a state of conservation every 12 months. So every 12 months we've had a decision from UNESCO about the status of the Reef. This decision, this draft decision keeps the current status of the Reef maintained and provides an opportunity for the government to implement the progress that it's delivering. We will go back with a progress report in 2028, which will be considered in 2029, but we won't have to provide a full state of conservation until 2029 to be considered in 2030. That allows our government to continue the good work that we're doing, but also allows UNESCO to have a constructive relationship with us to continue to monitor the implementation that we are doing. We don't expect at any stage for UNESCO to stop its work in ensuring that state parties deliver on the things that they've said they would do. And that's exactly what the Albanese Labor government is doing.
Journalist: Is your takeout from this report that both governments, Queensland and Federal governments, are doing enough?
Green: It's a substantial decision. And if you go back and have a look at some of the previous decisions, there was of course concerns and encouragement, but this decision really recognises some of the extensive effort that's been made. Since we've come to government, we've delivered $200 million in water quality funding. We have provided extensive funding for crown-of-thorn Starfish. We've changed rules around EPBC, which will provide more protection for the Reef and we've ensured that the Reef will be gillnet free by 2027. Of course, this is an enormous amount of work that we have delivered and it's why UNESCO recognised that when it comes to our government and the previous government, the difference is night and day, but we recognise that there's always more work to do. The Great Barrier Reef is my home, I'm from Cairns, it supports all of the jobs in my community and I know that this government is committed to fighting every single day with our agencies, with our partners, and with the Queensland government to continue this important work.
Journalist: The report also says that you've got to improve your emissions reduction ambition, doesn't it?
Green: Well, the report looks at some of the commitments that our government's made around emissions reduction targets and makes a recommendation around climate action and emissions reduction target. What we would say is that we are doing that exact thing. We're committed to the Paris Agreement. We have legislated emissions reductions targets. Those targets sit between 62 and 73 per cent and that's in the range that IPPC recognises is needed to reach 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, of course, we know that climate change is an ever present risk to the Reef. That's why the government is taking so much effort in making sure the Reef is as resilient as possible to climate change and implementing our emissions reductions targets, which are ambitious and achievable. Thank you very much.