Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says she does not believe the Great Barrier Reef is threatened, insisting Australia is doing everything possible to protect the environmental icon.

Interviewed on Sky News on Friday, Ms Bishop said her office had sent a briefing to the White House detailing Australia's efforts to preserve the reef following US President Barack Obama's speech at the University of Queensland on the weekend, in which he alluded to the danger posed to the reef by global warming.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has taken issue with US President Barack Obama's weekend speech in which he alluded to dangers facing the Great Barrier Reef. Credit:Trevor Gollens

Mr Obama told the audience the "incredible natural glory of the Great Barrier Reef is threatened" because of global warming and said he wanted to be able to return to Australia with his daughters when he had more time.



Ms Bishop and the Queensland government have taken issue with the speech, saying Mr Obama had appeared to overlook Australia's efforts to preserve the reef.

On Friday, Ms Bishop said her office had sent a briefing to the White House detailing Australia's efforts to protect the reef following the President's speech - a similar message she says she had previously relayed to US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.