Pirate Party Australia reaffirms its stance on scientific research and evidence-based decision making[1], aligning with hundreds of leading scientists calling into question the decision to allow the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.

“To approve dredge dumping on the Great Barrier Reef against the advice of hundreds of scientists and many environmental organisations around the world is yet another display of the scientific ignorance and short-sighted, single-minded pandering to mining interests that has come to be a hallmark of this Government,” commented Melanie Thomas, Deputy President of Pirate Party Australia. “Pirate Party Australia advocates the adoption of an open and scientific framework to help inform these developments and protect our natural heritage for generations to come.”

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sent draft recommendations to the World Heritage Committee on Wednesday night[2]. Concerns over a lack of strategic assessment of the reef despite approval of coastal developments have been raised, along with criticism of the approval of the Abbot Point port expansion, construction of which will involve dumping three million tonnes of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The body has asked the government to provide a new report to the World Heritage Committee by 1 February 2015 proving that dumping is the least damaging option and will not damage the reef’s value.

“It’s simply appalling that UNESCO has had to step in and police the Federal Government. For a start, it is Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s position to provide effective management of the world heritage areas found within Australia. He should have stepped in and stopped the Newman Government in its tracks when it became obvious they had little regard for the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Thomas continued. “The banning of dumping of dredge spoil on the Reef is a decision only the Federal Government can make. We call on Greg Hunt to stand up to lobbyists from the mining industry and commit to protection of the Great Barrier Reef.”

The Australian Marine Conservation Society said it was clear the Queensland and Federal Governments were not moving quickly enough to protect the Reef[3].

World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) spokesman Richard Leck said it was the first time the UN body had commented on the dredging decision. “UNESCO’s concern is shared by thousands of Australians and hundreds of leading scientists,” he said in a statement. “We call on the federal government to ban dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.”[4]

[1] https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Policies/Environment_and_Animal_Welfare
[2] http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/01/unesco-sets-reef-deadline-federal-govt
[3] http://www.marineconservation.org.au/news.php/233/unesco-sets-reef-deadline-for-federal-govt
[4] http://www.wwf.org.au/?9680/UNESCO-dumps-on-Abbot-Point-decision