Coral vs Coal: if Greg Hunt faces the truth he can save the Great Barrier Reef | Ariane Wilkinson

Australia is on the brink of making a terrible and irreversible mistake. The most outstanding coral reef on Earth must go on the danger list

The most compelling reason for the World Heritage Committee to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger" under the World Heritage Convention is that it is the truth. The shocking images of massive bleaching that we have seen in recent weeks powerfully cut through all the government spin and lobbying, and undermine environment minister Greg Hunt's reassurance that the Australian government has the problem under control.

Hunt conceded that the coral bleaching is "major and significant", and "if major disturbances such as bleaching events occur more regularly, this will affect the Reef's ability to recover."