As a 'Mexican' moved up from the big smoke some four years ago, I saw the reef for the first time four years ago on my 40th birthday aboard a liveaboard boat. Amazingly it was running during COVID times with the support to local tourism operators from the government of the time (Scomo and his LNP Cabinet no less).

Back then, it was clear that people in the big house understood how important tourism was to sustaining our local economy and how the Great Barrier Reef fed into that concept. 

What we saw was amazing. Bommies everywhere teaming with fish. Bright blue electric wonders. Nemo's hiding furtively in the safety of their anemone homes. Reef sharks lazily circling and turtles that seemed intent on touching our outstretched flippers and hands. My husband and I could not have asked for a better experience, out there virtually alone on a huge boat with a cast and crew intent on giving us the best that Far North Queensland had to offer.

We have since moved up and enjoyed the privilege of time spent out in this great Marine Park and seen some things shift in the past four years. It is my FIRM belief that the most important issue that should be influencing voters tomorrow on our election day is which party is doing the most to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Since our arrival, I’ve snorkelled, dived and seen coral bleaching, cyclones and floods affect the reef. I know reef companies personally that have contributed to scientific surveys and Reef education, introducing thousands of visitors to the greatest natural wonder on Earth. I know that their funding for such surveying, research and hands on work has been limited or cut. How can any state or federal government do that in today's age? 

Yet despite the reef’s critical role in Australia’s economy and community, we’re hearing almost nothing in the political debate about these cuts. This crop of LNP candidates have even refused to turn up to conservation, environment, climate or reef health forums across the state.

Think about that. Are we not the Sunshine State? The holiday state?

If Queensland can't look after the oceans that feed us and inject critical funds into our local economies keeping those funds circulating to every crucial arm of business (including tourism on the Tablelands, hospitality, tourism, hoteliers and every other arm like infrastructure) - how do we sustain our local economies?

Politicians all need to address both issues with urgency, as the health of the Reef is directly linked to the health of the economy and community.

The future of FNQ tourism depends on safeguarding the GBR. I urge all political candidates to balance their focus on community safety with a genuine commitment to environmental protection.

We can’t afford to solve one crisis by ignoring another—especially one that threatens the very foundation of our economy. The reef has a right to life too!