Former Great Barrier Reef marine park head calls for ban on new coalmines

Graeme Kelleher's call comes before Australian government's deadline for reporting to Unesco's world heritage committee

The former head of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has called for a ban on all new coalmines in Australia, saying the move is needed to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change.

"I love the reef and I have worked to preserve it since 1979; I will oppose anything that threatens to destroy it," said Graeme Kelleher, who was the first chief executive of GBRMPA, a position he held for 16 years. "The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the world."