Dear Minister Hunt

Dear Minister Hunt

I am deeply upset about your recent decision to approve the Abbot Point dredging project.

Your decision suggests to me that you have complete disregard for the views of the wider population because you are the lapdog of a few (ie the mining magnates). The Great Barrier Reef is not just a national asset, it is a global asset that is already under threat. Your decision to allow dredging and to also allow the spoil to be dumped within the marine reserve is criminal. I'd imagine that you would not appreciate it if someone dumped a whole heap of spoil in your backyard and house? At least you would have the means of removing the inconvenience.

When the Great Barrier Reef is reduced to a fraction of its current size, do you really want to go down in history as the Minister who massively contributed to its demise? Your current portfolio is actually one that requires custodianship of the environment at a national level. You have a choice (the beauty of a democratic society) to reverse your decision and protect the reef, and the associated tourism industry, and thereby regain the trust of the Australian public.

Somethings are worth more than providing a handful of mega mining executives with their wishlist. I want my 6mth son (who interestingly was born on World Environment Day) to enjoy the wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef.

Please show courageous leadership and think as an Environmental Minister and not as an economist. If you can't look after the environment who will? It certainly won't be your colleagues who have ministerial positions relating to industry, business, primary industry and business.

Yours sincerely

Emma