"We need to ensure Australia's unique environment is properly understood and that we are in a position to address Australia's problems in a sustainable way," Howard told reporters after touring the reef in a glass-bottomed boat.

Howard came under fire for slashing barrier reef research funding in May but said the new initiative was far more extensive than its predecessor.

The prime minister's conservative government has made a concerted effort to attract the environmental vote in recent weeks as opinion polls show the October 9 election will be close.

Howard has already announced a two billion dollar water conservation plan and is expected to announce a campaign package that will stop old-growth logging in the forests of the island state Tasmania.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches over more than 345,000 square kilometers (133,000 square miles) off the northeast coast and is home to 1,500 fish species.

Considered the world's largest living organism, the network of coral reefs is the centerpiece of a multi-billion dollar annual tourism industry and has been listed by the United Nations as a world heritage site.

However it has been under threat in recent years from coral bleaching, believed to be caused by rising sea temperatures that result from global warming.

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