Great Barrier Reef: Queensland Labor may break election vow and allow coal ship loading

Labor vowed to ban 'trans-shipping' in reef waters after UN's scientific body raised concerns about proposal in 2014

The Queensland Labor government has flagged breaking a 2015 election promise by allowing the loading of coal ships at sea in the Great Barrier Reef marine park.

Labor vowed to ban so-called "trans-shipping" in reef waters after the United Nations' peak scientific body raised concerns about a proposal off Hay Point near Mackay in 2014.