The Wire

Spraying of a pesticide that can be deadly for sea grass and coral will now be allowed again in areas where it may end up in the Great Barrier Reef marine park. One of the government’s frequent advisors on water quality in the reef has today launched broadside at the Australian pesticide regulator, telling The Wire that its environmental performance has been terrible. The regulator has announced that it will extend the status quo, allowing a temporary ban on the use of the chemical that was in place over the wet season to lapse.