UNESCO recommends listing Great Barrier Reef as 'in danger'

Citing successive reef bleaching events as being of particular concern, the outlook for the reef has deteriorated from poor to very poor, but the federal government says proper process has not been followed.

Great Barrier Reef, coral bleeching Source: Universal Images Group Editorial

The federal environment minister Sussan Ley [[LEE]] says she’s been blindsided by a UNESCO draft recommendation to list the Great Barrier Reef as being in danger. The minister is accusing the World Heritage Committee, currently chaired by China, as singling out Australia with political motivations.