The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has congratulated the Labor Party for securing government in the state election.
AMCS CEO Darren Kindleysides said the organisation looked forward to working with the Labor government once more on critical issues for our Great Barrier Reef and Queensland's marine life including taking serious action on climate change, improving water quality and reforming fisheries.
"AMCS congratulates Premier Palaszczuk and the Labor Party for winning another term in office in the Queensland election. This will be a critical term of government for our Reef and the state's unparalleled marine life," said Mr Kindleysides.
"The future of the Reef must be a top priority for the new government. There is no time to lose. The outlook for our international icon and the tourism industry that relies on it must be improved by tackling global heating head on, with policies that guide a fast, fair and just transition to renewable energy from fossil fuels.
"With our Reef having experienced three mass bleaching events in just five years, the development and implementation of Labor's promised Climate Action Plan will be vital to set in stone the pathway to zero emissions by 2050. We look forward to contributing to the Climate Action Plan and ensuring Labor's welcome promise of three Renewable Energy Corridors for Queensland takes shape."
Mr Kindleysides said a Labor government meant the important Reef Regulations would continue to be rolled out in northern Queensland, helping to reduce pollution on our Reef.
"Labor has stood firm on retaining the important legislation to tackle water pollution on our Reef. With those laws secure, the government must continue to invest in measures that help farmers meet water quality targets," he said.
"Labor must also continue the urgently needed work it has started to reform fisheries in Queensland waters to make them more sustainable. We look forward to working with them to deliver the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-27 and will be urging them to remove industrial scale gillnets from our Reef, that kill dugongs, sharks, turtles and dolphins."
