Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally is simply asking the first question in a different way. I took the information that was requested on notice in relation to the first question. I don't need to take it on notice again, because it is effectively the same question. But the truth is: the Turnbull government are the government that confronted the issue of the Great Barrier Reef when we came to government, and it was on the 'in danger' list according to the World Heritage Committee. We have worked to make sure that it was taken off that 'in danger' list.

We've taken the steps to ensure that dredge spoil never again is dumped in proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. We've taken those steps. We've taken the steps to establish the Reef Trust and to have record levels of investment and planning with the Queensland government—and, yes, in this year's budget, we took the step to give funds to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park foundation, a foundation with a long history of involvement, a long history of fundraising and a history of getting grants from the Labor Party, and that will add to our good work in the protection of the Great Barrier Reef. (Time expired)