George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I can tell you how that is world's best practice. The Queensland Water Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, which forms part of a whole-of-water business transformation, will amend the Queensland Water Act to provide an improved framework for the expansion of water markets across Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's submission to the Queensland Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee regarding the bill appropriately highlighted the need for safeguards to protect the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef. Water management reform provides an opportunity to deliver a net benefit to reef water quality and ecosystem health. It is critical that any changes to the water management of the reef and the reef catchment include safeguards to protect the reef, and the Queensland legislation does. To ensure the health of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Australian government expects that these reforms will consider ecosystem connectivity. (Time expired)