Conservationists have accused Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service top officials of prioritising ‘public relations’ over protecting Fraser Island during the 2020 bushfires.
According to a series of internal emails leaked to the ABC, a senior Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service bureaucrat wanted to play down bushfire warnings to the public over concerns news headlines would scare off Christmas bookings.
Queensland Conservation Council’s Andrew Picone said Fraser Island needs to be protected as a tourism icon and a place of significance for First Nations Australians.