Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement

October Budget 2022-23

The Government is investing a record $1.2 billion to protect and restore our iconic Great Barrier Reef.

For more information: 2022-23 October Budget fact sheets

The Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement, signed by the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier, provides a framework for the Australian and Queensland governments to work together to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The Agreement recognises that key pressures on the Reef—such as climate change impacts, catchment water quality and coastal development—cannot be effectively addressed by either government on their own.

The Agreement has been in place between successive governments for over 40 years, beginning with the Emerald Agreement in 1979. It was updated in 2009 to provide a contemporary framework for cooperation between the governments, recognising challenges such as climate change and catchment water quality that were not foreseen at the time of the 1979 Agreement. An assessment of the implementation of the Agreement is undertaken every five years.

Updated in 2015, the agreement renews the Australian and Queensland governments’ commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area including its Outstanding Universal Value through actions under the joint Reef 2050 plan.

Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Forum

On 23 October 2020, National Cabinet agreed to a set of reforms to streamline and rationalise former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Ministerial Councils and Forums. The Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Forum has been disbanded as part of these reforms.

The Australian and Queensland governments remain committed to working together to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Communiqués and media releases

Meeting outcomes were reported in a Communiqué or Media release.