BRISBANE, Queensland, June 1 -- The Queensland Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Veterans

The Honourable David Crisafulli

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation

The Honourable Andrew Powell

A FRESH START FOR QUEENSLAND

Queensland National Parks expanded in boost to protected areas

* Nearly 9,000 hectares have been added to Queensland's national parks and nature refuges, including 6,000 hectares within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. * Five former forest reserves have been upgraded, and 18 new nature refugesestablished. * The expansion is in line with theCrisafulli Government's key election commitment to grow Queensland's protected a...