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Government pledges $500 million to preserve Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef
Source: AAP

The Turnbull government is promising to spend $500 million to help restore and protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the pledge - announced on Sunday ahead of the May budget - was a game-changer and would help secure the reef's future.

"This is the single largest investment in restoration and management in Australia's history," he told ABC News.

Mr Frydenberg said the money would also go towards improving water quality, tackling the Crown-of-thorns starfish and scientific research.

"Millions of dollars will go into science and to better data management, and to be able to test the impacts on the reef," he said.

"We are looking at a whole range of new initiatives, taking best advice of the experts, working closely with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, to ensure that the reef has its best chance into the future."

But despite the funding, Mr Frydenberg reaffirmed his position that global warming remained the biggest threat to the reef.

 


1 min read

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By Emma Papaemmanouil-Έμμα Παπαεμμανουήλ




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