Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:35): Firstly, what I can say—and I'm sure that everybody around the chamber agrees—is that the Australian government is deeply committed to protecting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. The reef generates— Greens senators interjecting— Senator CORMANN: I'm disappointed the Greens would not agree with that. Who would have thought? The reef generates 64,000 jobs and contributes— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Whish-Wilson? Senator Whish-Wilson: On a point of order: I asked if the government was concerned and whether he could update the chamber on whether they agree with NOAA's prediction of a 90 per cent probability of coral bleaching. There was nothing else— The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, towards the end of your question you asked very broad questions of the minister such as whether he agreed. I think, with all due respect, that, 23 seconds in, he is being relevant to what was a question with a lengthy preamble and a number of questions at the end. But I am listening carefully. Senator Cormann. Senator CORMANN: Let me reassure the chamber again: the Australian government is deeply committed to protecting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Of course, we understand and fully accept that climate change is a global issue and the most serious long-term threat to the health of coral reefs worldwide, including the Great Barrier Reef. The centrepiece of Australia's reef protection effort is the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, jointly developed with the Queensland government. We are working with traditional owners, industry, scientists, farmers and the wider community to implement that plan. The Australian and Queensland governments are investing $2.7 billion between 2014-15 and 2023-24 to implement that plan. It's a plan that addresses the key threats to the reef by improving water quality and coastal habitats, tackling outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, addressing plastics, and protecting threatened and migratory species— The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, on a point of order? Senator Whish-Wilson: Mr President, I also asked what the government's prognosis would be for the future of the reef if we had a third bleaching in five years. The minister is yet to address that issue. The PRESIDENT: Senator, I can't direct the minister to answer part of a question. Senator Cormann. Senator CORMANN: Let me reassure Senator Whish-Wilson again: the Australian government is deeply committed to protecting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. We are taking action together with the Queensland government and others to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef is in the best, strongest and healthiest position possible, and that is what we will continue to do. We look forward to your support for that very important work. You'd of course also be aware that the Australian government has invested historic levels of funding, including a $443.3 million— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, a supplementary question?