Great Barrier Reef: Labor calls on Sussan Ley to back up claim Unesco bowed to political pressure

Evidence the reef is in trouble has been building for years, federal opposition environment spokesperson Terri Butler says

Labor has called on the government to justify its claim a UN body bowed to political pressure in recommending the Great Barrier Reef be placed on a world heritage in danger" list, saying there had been warning signs the site had been in trouble for years.

Guardian Australia revealed on Wednesday that Dr Fanny Douvere, of Unesco's World Heritage Centre in Paris, had rejected a suggestion by the environment minister, Sussan Ley, that the body told the Australian government a week ago it would not be recommending the reef be moved to the in danger" list.