Senate estimates revelations that the Abbott Government has slashed staff working on the Cape York World Heritage nomination, and expected further staff cuts in the budget, show the Abbott Government has abandoned protection for iconic Cape York.

"Minister Hunt has dumped the Cape York World Heritage nomination by stealth, starving it of the resources to progress the nomination," Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters, said.

1.   The Senate notes that:

a)      Cape York’s Quinkan region is home to rock art galleries and cultural sites of great cultural significance, with some sites dated to 30,000 years old;

b)      Much of this art and cultural heritage is not adequately protected and is open to mining exploration activities; and

Gina Rinehart’s plans to mine Cape York, revealed today, must not go ahead while traditional owners are in the process of considering the area for World Heritage listing, say the Australian Greens.

Jacaranda Resources, owned by Gina Rinehart, has applied for two exploration permits on Cape York.

“Gina Rinehart’s mining permit application areas include the Quinkan Rock Art Galleries – an area full of incredibly valuable rock art dating back 34 000 years,” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens mining spokesperson, said.

The future is brighter for newly discovered species in Australia today, with a Senate Inquiry report into a Greens bill recommending the closure of a loophole that would prevent newly discovered animals from receiving emergency protection.

“The report recommends a middle ground between the Government’s position and the Greens’ bill, which is a welcome step towards better protecting threatened species,” Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said.