… ATTENTION TO THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND THE
AUSTRALIAN BANKS FUNDING THE INDUSTRIALISATION

The plight of the Great Barrier Reef has reached its 11th hour.

Now is the time for the Australian public to unite, sending a message of defiance to the
Australian Government and industrial investors.

Organisers of the upcoming nationwide Rally for the Reef are calling on the general
public to divest their money from the four banks funding port expansion along the
Queensland coast, in a bid to reduce the impact of these potentially devastating
development projects.

Reef defence organisation ‘Protect the Reef’, alongside several other conservation
groups, have orchestrated 11 rallies across Australia and internationally to empower
and inform the general public. Combining scientific facts, insider knowledge of the
mining industry through an array of speakers, and a host of live music and
performances, each event will be both entertaining and informative, bringing about a
greater awareness of one of Australia’s most celebrated and at-risk natural wonders.

The rallies come as a result of the upcoming QLD State Election, and the Australian
government’s recent decision to ‘fast-track’ port expansions and dredging projects
along the northern Queensland coastline, which will see devastating impacts upon
marine wildlife and reef health on a large scale. Rally organiser and Protect the Reef
ambassador, Mollie Cox, says that it is of utmost importance that the public get involved
in the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, particularly in time for QLD State Election.

“We aim to give the public the knowledge and tools to make their own impact when it
comes to saving Australia’s precious Great Barrier Reef at these nation-wide events.
There is no more important time than now to halt our support for those companies and
banks profiting off of the destruction of the reef, and get involved in initiatives to save
this fragile marine ecosystem

Everybody can stand up and be counted, and we need the caring public present at
these rallies to send a strong message to the Australian Government: the reef belongs
to all of us, including future generations.”

Until the destructive industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef comes to an end, Protect
The Reef alongside several other conservation groups, will continue their work in
educating the public, empowering communities and taking direct action in a bid to
protect the reef.

The Protect The Reef Rallies will occur on the 25th of January in cities and
communities across Australia.

For more information on how to take part or get involved with Protect The Reef visit:
http://www.protectthereef.org
Jessica Rettig