PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS 18 DECEMBER 1978
REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO WHALES AND WHALING
The Prime Minister today released the Report of the
Inquiry into Whales and Whaling which has recently been
completed under the chairmanship of Sir Sydney Frost.
The Inquiry's principal conclusion is that Australian
whaling should cease and that internationally Australia
should pursue a policy of opposition to whaling.
Other major recommendations in the Report are that
whaling should be prohibited within Australia's 200 mile
fishing zone, that, if the waters of the Australian
Antarctic Territory are included in the fishing zone, this
policy should also apply in that area, and that Australia
should seek to achieve greater worldwide protection
for all cetacea.
Mr. Fraser said that the Government will, early in the
New Year, be reviewing Australia's whaling policy
in the light of the Report's recommendations.
The Prime Minister added that copies of the Report
have been sent to the Premiers and interested groups
who had assisted the Inquiry. Comments from the
States were essential to the Government's review of
its policy with respect to whales. 000---