PM faces Cassius in tour of Far North

FROM coffee to coral and even feeding crocodiles, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Cairns on Friday had it all.

But he and Environment Minister Sussan Ley couldn’t escape questions about whether the $1bn funding they were there to announce to protect the Reef over the next nine years went far enough.

“It’s the right package for Far North Queensland, it’s the right package for the Reef, and frankly, it’s the right package for the globe’s keen interest in the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Morrison said.

The Reef was again thrust into the international spotlight in June 2021 when the UNESCO World Heritage Committee threatened to place the world heritage wonder on the “in danger” list.

After concerted lobbying from Ms Ley, the committee agreed to defer deciding the issue until 2023.

When asked on Friday whether the $1bn would save the Reef from an “in danger” listing, the Prime Minister deferred to Ms Ley, who said that stumping up the money was “responding to the call that we’ve always had as a Coalition government to protect this reef”.

The Prime Minister touched down in Cairns around 10am with his wife Jenny, Ms Ley, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch and entourage in tow, before stopping by the Blu Marlin Bistro at the Reef Fleet Terminal for a coffee and a chat.

The PM’s trip took in Green Island aboard a Quicksilver vessel, where there was time for a tour of the Marineland Croc Park.

And the PM even got the opportunity to feed Cassius before a crowd of cameras.

Mr Morrison stayed in Cairns overnight, catching up with local LNP members, before heading to the Sunshine Coast region on Saturday.