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many animals are inconspicuous. They are naturally thin
on the ground. They live in remote and thinly-populated
areas, even uninhabited districts. They can live or die,
flourish or decline. They can disappear from the face of
the earth unnoticed. The same thanks to the diligence of
the Australian media cannot be said of our politicians.
Sometimes I wish this wasn't the case.
I have noted that one press commentator suggested a few days
ago somewhat tongue in cheek that Malcolm Fraser, rather
than being a conservationist, was " A Man of Extinction". Can
I gently take issue with that?
Since coming to office my Government has been actively engaged
in preserving the environment for some previously endangered
species not referred to by Professor Ovington. Three that
come to mind were, up until just a couple of years ago, under
grave threat of extinction:-the blue collared hard worker
bird; the enterprising business bird, both the " lesser" and
the " greater"; and the resolute rural bird, now enjoying one
of its most prolific seasons-for many years. / 2
-2
More recently a not so welcome species has appeared the
noisy knocker. I believe this particular species will remain
fairly isolated in an enviornment where a spirit of
optimism, confidence and belief in the future of Australia
is now returning. But turning to those species that are
dealt with in Derrek Ovington's book, I believe as a nation
we . have begun to appreciate the existing and potential values
of wildlife.
As the variety of living things diminishes, these values
are eroded and the human environment suffers. It is a tragedy
that for many of our native species the concern now evident
in the community for their survival came too late.
I recall that many years ago in the late 1950' s I
expressed concern in the Party Room that the Princess Alexandra
Parrot was in danger of extinction. How tragic, I thought,
to lose such a rare and beautiful bird one with such
royal plumage. Because of its beauty, the Princess Alexandra
Parrot was highly prized by overseas aviarists.. I was
determined that this repulsive and shadmetul trade in birds
should stop. Subsequently, I was delighted to learn in
about November 1959 that the then Minister for Customs,
Senator Henty, had convinced Cabinet that the export of not
only the Princess Alexandra Parrot, but all native birds,
should be banned. That policy still applies today.
Conservation at that time was something of a dirty word,
it was not a popular issue. But the ban was a start. From
it the conservation movement went from strength to strength.
It now commands, as it rightly should, vast popular support.
The establishment of the Australian Conservation Foundation
in 1965 was a landmark in the movement. I was proud to be
a founding member.
Australia is setting high standards of nature conservation.
This is evident from the leading role we play in the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources.
Austaliahas signed the Washington Convention on Trade
in endangered species. The Convention for the conservation
of Antarctic seals, and the Convention for the world cultural
and natural heritage.
Australia was the first party to the Convention on Wetlands
of International Importance especially as waterfowl habitat.
Australia and Japan have signed a joint agreement for the
protection of migratory birds'.
Furthermore, my Government has welcomed the establishment of
voluntary conservation bodies, and we have actively supported
the setting up of the World Wildlife Fund in Australia. ./ 3
-3
The Commonwealth and the States are setting aside significant
areas of land and sea to make sure sufficient habitat remains
for the survival of native plants and animals. The larges~ t
and latest example is the Kakadu National Park which it is
hoped will be proclaimed shortly.
Because of my Government's concern we established the inquiry
into the Australian whaling industry. It is expected to
report shortly.
Where special assistance for certain species is required, the
Commonwealth Government is co-operating with the relevant State
governments in joint conservation projects. This has been the
case in saving the Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby in Queensland
and the Yellow-helmeted Honeyeater in Victoria.
In 1976, I launched the Australian National Parks and Wildlife
Service's first major campaign directed towards the protection
of endangered species a series of pamphlets on endangered
animals.
The preparation of these pamphlets has involved close co-operation
not only between Commonwealth and State Government agencies, but
also with natural history societies and interested individuals.
I am delighted that the Service, under the direction of
Professor Ovington, has extended the work even further with
the production of this volume on Australian endangered species.
It is to be hoped that more volumes will be written, dealing
with other groups of animals and plants.
It is axiomatic that with increased knowledge comes increased
responsibility. Derrick Ovington's book contributes greatly
to our knowledge. Through it, I trust, future generations will
judge us as having properly responded to the challenge of
conserving our wildlife an irreplacable part of our natural
heritage. I commend this fine book to you.