AdvertisementEnvironmentConservationGreat Barrier Reef Australia’s bid to persuade the UN the Great Barrier Reef is doing better Bianca Hall January 30, 2026 — 8:53am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef. The government estimates the Great Barrier Reef contributes more than $9 billion a year to the Australian economy and, as the nation’s fifth-biggest employer, supports 77,000 jobs. Coral scientists capture larvae during this year’s annual coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef. AdvertisementRelated Article Australia votes Great Barrier Reef bleaching turns up heat in key Coalition seat The Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Great Barrier Reef campaign manager Dr Lissa Schindler said the government had taken positive steps to improve the reef’s health but had not gone far enough.