“This is jaw-dropping news, especially while the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from its worst-ever coral bleaching. We want an explanation from Malcolm Turnbull over how this can happen and an investigation into this decision.
“The Australian public is owed an explanation over how and why this happened, and immediate steps put in place to ensure our scientists are independent of government intervention.
“The Australian government cannot hide the truth from the international community: our Reef is suffering because of climate change.
“By interfering with the UN report, the Australian government was effectively throwing the Great Barrier Reef under a bus for wrong-headed, short-term gain. They’re trying to pull wool over Australian’s eyes about serious threats to the future of our greatest natural wonder.
“This kind of action shows the culture of climate change denialism that has been embedded in the government because of pressure from the Coalition.
“It is beyond the pale for the thousands of Australians who are seriously concerned about the health of the Reef.
“We’ve already seen this culture in action with the cuts to the CSIRO and attempts to undermine the renewable energy industry. It must be stopped before we lose the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s environment is irrevocably damaged.”