Large scale clearing of native vegetation is threatening the survival of the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Alison Godfrey/AAP PHOTOS

The Great Barrier Reef is at risk unless nature law reforms close long-standing deforestation loopholes, warns a prominent economist and environmentalist.

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Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says there is a "strong case" for overhauling federal environmental protections to eliminate flaws that allow widespread clearing of native vegetation.

"Neither the present laws, nor the proposed reforms, provide the Australian government with the ability to act to p

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