Big divide over reef

A Year-long inquiry into the controversial Reef Regulations has put a spotlight on the deep disconnect between scientists and primary producers.

While the review stopped short of recommending an inquiry into the science that spurred the state government to crack down on run-off, it recommended more transparency to instil in growers confidence in science.

But three senators have called for the establishment of an office of scientific review and the repeal of an increase in penalties to restore trust between the government and primary producers in their recently released report.

Senator Susan Mcdonald said the most concerning finding from the inquiry was the “extreme disconnect” between science and agriculture.

“I genuinely hope there will be a focus on rebuilding the trust between them,” she said.

“We know genuine science-agriculture partnerships are capable of achieving solid environmental outcomes because we heard evidence at the public hearings about the positive results these programs have – and governments should focus on these programs before turning to harsh, out-of-step, blunt force regulatory approaches.”

Agforce chief executive Michael Guerin said the LNP senators’ dissenting report was the only one to address the issues faced by farmers and regional communities.

“Unfortunately, the official report by the politically constructed panel doesn’t even come close to doing this and is therefore a complete waste of time and public money and actually puts the reef in jeopardy,” he said.

Canegrowers chief executive Dan Galligan said the inquiry’s “lack of agreed actions” on the Reef Regulations risked leaving growers more frustrated. “This isn’t the end of the battle for a commonsense approach to securing the health and future of the reef,” Mr Galligan said.

Great Barrier Reef campaigner David Cazzulino said the report confirmed what scientists had long been saying about the reef.

“Poor water quality is a major threat to our Great Barrier Reef and we must work together to reduce water pollution – especially in the face of rising ocean temperatures,” he said. “From the start, we said this was a politically motivated inquiry, wasting taxpayer dollars to murky the waters on settled reef science.

“With the Queensland election just weeks away, we’re calling on all parties to listen to the science and retain crucial reef water pollution laws to help give our reef the best chance for the future.”