The Wire

Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced this morning new laws to ban offshore dumping in to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Hunt says these laws cover not only future proposals, not just present but also pre-existing applications or proposals for the dumping of soil into the reef. But, these drafts have failed to account for nearly 80% of where the dumping occurs. These laws cover capital dredging not maintenance dredging, which means spoils can continue to be dumped into the marine park to allow international ships entry to coal ports on the coastline. This marks a small step in the right direction for the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, but legislation that protects the entire reef is an important long-term goal.