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NITA GREEN
Queensland Senator &

Special Envoy to the

Great Barrier Reef My family.

It’s the most
important thing
in the whole world

and it’s why
I do everything
I do.

Senator Nita Green and Stevie

6. What is one of your favourite holiday destinations? 9. What issue or project do you hold close to your heart, one that you
hope will one day become your legacy?
Our most recent holiday was in Port Douglas, but I also love Japan.
I recently launched an inquiry into the sexual consent laws in Australia
7. What excites you about future developments in your field? and am very proud of that. I want to see a positive change nation-wide
Winning government in mid-2022 was of course exciting and within the when it comes to education around consent and that includes our judicial
first few months of being in office, our Labor Government took historic systems. Consent should never be ambiguous, but when it comes to
action on climate change. consent laws in this country – they are. I have high hopes that this inquiry
will start a national discussion around the unfinished business of consent.
What has been made clear to me in my short time as Special Envoy for 10. What do you love about our region?
the Great Barrier Reef is the relief, the fierce determination, the good
1. What or who inspired you to want to work in the field of politics? 4. As Special Envoy to the Great Barrier Reef, what does this role entail? will, of so many people and organisations around the reef working to I often count myself and my family so lucky to live in Far North
I am hugely inspired by my mum; she’s been a nurse for around 50 years. I’m working every day to make sure the Great Barrier Reef is shown in make meaningful change and join us on the right side of history. Queensland. From the Reef to the Daintree there are just so many
It hasn’t always been an easy road for her, but her strength inspires me the best possible light to people across Australia, but also throughout There is a lot more to be done but I am confident and excited to be given beautiful places to explore. This is my daughter’s backyard and not
every day. I also, of course, found a lot of inspiration in Julia Gillard. The the world. the chance to help restore our natural environment. everyone can say that, and I want to do my best to help preserve this
Misogyny Speech still gives me goosebumps. beautiful slice of the world to ensure she and the generations after her
The Reef sustains more than 60,000 jobs in our country and a lot of them 8. Is there a day that presented you with an interesting challenge or a can enjoy it just like we do now.
2. Any advice to those thinking of pursuing a career in politics? are right here in FNQ. We have the most to gain and the most to lose funny story you can share with us?
Join a campaign and get hands on experience. It doesn’t have to be a when it comes to protecting the Reef. And this involves everyone – I’m Earlier this year I took a trip to Masig Island in the Torres Strait for the As a side note, I also love the fruit up here. Once you’ve had fruit in
tropical north Queensland, the fruit everywhere else can never compare.
political party – it might be volunteering for a local charity or a cause that talking to tourism operators, scientists, traditional owners, farmers and 85th anniversary of the First Island Councillors Conference.
is meaningful to you. This is a great way of being part of a community, conservationists as they all have a role to play in ensuring our best natural 11. Coffee or Wine?
learning about people and understanding different perspectives. asset is here for a long time to come. It was quite the anniversary and Masig was packed to the rafters with Coffee and/or beer!
3. What does your perfect Sunday look like? 5. In your mind, what is the single most important thing that can help guests from across the Strait. Organising a place to stay for myself and 12. What achievement (personal or professional) are you most proud
preserve the GBR for generations to come? my staff turned out to be a bit tricky and we landed ourselves in the
A perfect Sunday would be to scroll through the news, followed by army barracks. of to date?
breakfast by the beach with my wife and baby. We love cooking as a Visit us! When people experience the Reef for themselves, they leave as My family. It’s the most important thing in the whole world and it’s why
family and we often have an afternoon session of meal-prepping. Sundays advocates for climate action. They tell their family and friends, and they So, we slept there, cot to cot, in a hot shed on beautiful Masig Island. I do everything I do.
usually end with me packing my bags and jumping on a plane to Canberra understand why it must be protected. There is nothing quite like seeing The food, the soldiers, the view, and the coconut planting in the morning
for parliament. that clear blue water or the fish life under water with your own eyes. definitely made it a 5-star experience. nitagreen.com.au
118 Port Douglas Travel Planner PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 119