Australia's billion-dollar plan aims to protect Great Barrier Reef
Australia has unveiled a billion-dollar package to protect the climate-ravaged Great Barrier Reef, hoping to prevent the vast network of corals from being removed from UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Conservative prime minister Scott Morrison announced the Aus$1 billion nine-year plan, months after narrowly avoiding the reef being placed on UNESCO's "in danger" list.
"We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy," Mr Morrison said.
The move comes ahead of a general election expected in May, when Mr Morrison will have to win key Queensland seats near the reef to remain in power.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0128/1276357-great-barrier-reef-australia/
