The Federal environment minister Greg Hunt has announced the make-up of the Independent Expert Panel of 16 leading experts who will advise the government on actions and priorities relating to the Great Barrier Reef, one of which is Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland (and a member of the TJRyan Foundation Board). Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg writes (The Conversation, 1.7.15):
‘Over recent years there have been lots of panels, and even more reports, about the Reef and its health. So what will the new one bring to the table?
‘We will mainly be advising on how best to progress with the Reef 2050 Plan – the umbrella for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef from today until 2050. It is a key component of the federal and Queensland governments’ response to the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.’