Tony Abbott visits the Whitsundays

 The leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott made a brief stop in the Whitsundays this week, whilst promoting his anti carbon tax campaign. Mr Abbott took time out from his busy schedule to become an eco-warrior for an afternoon, joining Eco Barge Services director Libby Edge and her trusty band of volunteers in a clean-up mission to South Molle.

 “For me, it was really stunning to see just how much rubbish there was on beaches that to the naked eye at first glance look pretty pristine. It’s really important that we encourage people like Libby,” Mr Abbott said.

 “I think that the Government has neglected direct action on the environment ever since the current government started talking about emissions trading schemes and carbon taxes. Real action to help the environment has been lacking,” he said.

 Mr Abbott told the Guardian that as well as opposing the carbon tax the coalition had plenty of “positive environmental policies”.

 “One of the policies that I’m particularly committed to is the Green Army which is about deploying 15,000 people into environmental hotspots like this to provide the hands-on, practical environmental assistance that appropriate land care for Australia really needs. The Green Army would certainly be available to supplement the work of Libby Edge and her volunteers cleaning up this part of our coastline,” he said.

 Ms Edge, whose Eco Barge program relies on funding, said it was wonderful to take Tony Abbott on a trip and show him first-hand what marine debris is.

 “If Tony can come onboard and support us in protecting our island (which is Australia), from dumping our rubbish into the ocean, protecting our islands and our marine life, that would be a wonderful solution,” she said.

 Yesterday, Mr Abbott also took the opportunity to meet representatives from Tourism Whitsundays and industry leaders, who were keen to ensure the coalition had an understanding of tourism in the region and the challenges currently faced.

 Tourism Whitsunday Chief Executive Officer Peter O’Reilly said discussions included a number of the region’s crucial infrastructure projects, including the Whitsunday Coast Airport, Airlie Beach’s main street and broader issues such as the shortcomings of the Bruce Highway.

 “We were able to point out that the Whitsundays is the most tourism dependent region in Queensland, with Queensland’s greatest concentration of tourism workers. It is great to have recognition from the highest level of alternative government in this country,” Mr O’Reilly said. 

 Executive Secretary for the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association (WCBIA) Deb Lewis, who attended the meeting, said Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen had taken issues away to address immediately.

 “Tony Abbott was very mindful of our situation, but at the end of the day the proof’s in the pudding,” Ms Lewis said.

 “All politicians can talk rhetoric but it should be about getting results.”