Great Barrier Reef: Australia says Unesco decision shows it is a 'world leader'

Environment minister Greg Hunt claims victory as world heritage committee decides not to list the reef as in danger based on recovery plans

Greg Hunt, the federal environment minister, has said a UN decision not to list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger shows that Australia is a "role model to the world" in environmental protection.

On Wednesday, the 21 nations on Unesco's world heritage committee unanimously endorsed an earlier draft ruling that the reef stay off the in-danger list, although Australia must report back on its recovery plans by December next year.