Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator The Hon Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Senator The Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt
The Albanese Government has today announced $30 million to support a new Traditional Owner-led program to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef.
The $30 million Traditional Owner Water Quality Program will harness the knowledge and skills of First Nations people to improve the quality of water flowing to the Reef.
The Program will deliver projects that are grounded in Traditional Owner values and reflect the connections between Country, People and Culture.
Projects could include improving habitats that are important to the Reef, such as mangroves and wetlands, where water quality pollutants such as sediment and nutrients are filtered out before they reach the Reef.
The Program will build on the success of Traditional Owner programs delivered through the Reef Trust Partnership to support Traditional Owner capabilities, strengthen partnerships and undertake healthy water projects.
The Government also continues to support the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan, which assists the Traditional Owner-led Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce in implementing the Plan and delivering its priorities for the Reef.
This includes through strong engagement with Traditional Owners, the development and implementation of a Sea Country Alliance, coordinating Reef actions and ensuring tracking and monitoring activities are adequately resourced.
These commitments are part of the Albanese Government's record $1.2 billion investment to protect and restore the Reef, and its ongoing commitment to support strong partnerships with Traditional Owners and Reef communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"Poor water quality is one of the biggest threats to the Reef and the Albanese Government is investing to tackle it.
"We recognise the inherent rights, interests, obligations and aspirations of Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Great Barrier Reef. It is important the work of Elders is respected, and their voices are not lost.
"They have been caring for sea country for thousands of years and we're investing in that knowledge and experience.
"I'm proud to represent Australia at next week's UN Ocean Conference, it will be an opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in ocean management, including the importance of Traditional Owner knowledge and action, which is central to protecting our precious World-Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef.
"The Albanese Government is committed to building on our strong partnerships with Traditional Owners and continuing to protect the Reef."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Government is proud to support Traditional Owner-led programs to protect one of Australia's and the world's most treasured natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef.
"Traditional Owner knowledge is invaluable in caring for land and sea Country, and informs the work of Indigenous Rangers actively managing sea Country on the Reef.
"This investment will help deliver positive outcomes for the environment as well as economic development opportunities."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Tourism and Pacific Island Affairs, Nita Green:
"The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to make the important investments required to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Australia's most important tourism icons.
"Traditional Owners hold thousands of years of knowledge and practice protecting sea country. When we work directly with Traditional Owners in a genuine and authentic way, we can protect and create local Reef jobs."
Quotes attributable to Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith:
"As a keen diver, the Great Barrier Reef is a big part of my and my family's life, as it is for so many Far North Queenslanders.
"The Labor Government has worked hard to deliver practical investments into protecting the Reef.
"Our Traditional Owners are an important partner in Reef protection, so this funding announcement is welcome news for our local communities and the people working hard every day to ensure its protection."
