A-I L
P~ irEMI~ N3STER
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, MAY 1. 1980
GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Prime Minister answered a question on the Great Barrier Reef
in Parliament today, as follows:
Mr Moore:
I ask whether the Prime Minister's attention has been drawn to
claims that the seas and submerged lands package undermines
the Commonwealth: Goverriment's capacity, t'o protect-the Great
Barrier Reef. Are these claims correct?.
Prime Minister:
The claims that have been made in that regard are totally wrong.
In clear and unequivocal statements, both. inside and outside
the House,-the -Commonwealth Government' has made it plain that
we will not permit exploration for petroleum in the Great Barrier
Reef region. We will not permit the renewal of petroleum
exploration in the region until the results of both shorL and
longer term research into the reef's ecosystem are known. This
follows our decision in the report of the Royal Commission into
petroleum drilling in the area of the Great Barrier Reef itself.
Those decisions were very clearly announced in this House on
4 June of last year. On 14 June the Premier of Queensland and
I confirmed that it is the policy of both of our governments
to prohibit any drilling on the reef or any drilling or mining
which could in any way damage the reef. Those policy decisions
are binding on both the Commonwealth Government and the
Queensland government.
The rights and title to be vested in the State of Queensland
as a result of our initiatives in the Seas and Submerged Lands
Act exercise are very clearly subject to the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Act.
The powers of the Commonwealth under that Act remain supreme.
Thev are untouched by the package which has been introduced.
I think that is the main point to emphasise in this matter
because there hs been-a suggestion that the legislation which
has been introduced touces upon, and di. inis-., oui. c. pacity
to protect the reef through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Act, and it does not do that. / 2
2
Our responsibilities and powers in respect to the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Act are in no waiy diminished as a result of the
Seas and Submerged Lands Act exerc: ise. The policy of the
Commonwealth is very clear. We are progressively declaring
sections of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and by the
end of this year I would expect that about one quarter of the
length of the reef of 2,000 kilometres will be marine park.
We are taking advice fromthe Marine Park Authority. It is
. a Commonwealth/ State body but the powers are virtually the
Commonwealth's under Commonwealth legislation, As recommendations
are received from that body we are acting to have marine parks
declared. That will be the continuing policy of the Government.
We have given greater support to the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority. Last year it started off with a staff of 18.
That was increased, at the request of the Authority to 29.
The staff is to be increased to 44. I think there is a limit,
in a new body of this kind, to the rate at which it can assimilate
staff and usefully direct them to their proper functions and
responsibilities. But the growth of the staff of the Authority
shows very clearly the importance and priority which this
Commonwealth Government places on these particular matters.
In no formal way has the statement that was issued by the
Premier of Queensland and me on 14 June ever been formally
brought to the notice of this House, and in a moment I would
like to seek authority to have the statement incorporated in
Hansard so that the record on the matter can be complete.
Again I would like to emphasise that that statement indicated
that what we are doing will be the same for Queensland as for
the other States, but with full regard to the Great Barrier
Marine Park Act and to the Prime Minister's Parliamentary
statement of 4 June on Petroleum Exploration on the Great
Barrier Reef. The statement pointed out that both the Premier
and the Prime Minister confirmed that it was the policy of
their respective qovernments to prohibit any drilling on
the reef or any drilling or mining which coul. damage the reef.
The relevant part of that statement reads:
Both the Premier and the Prime Minister confirmed
that it was the policies of their respective governments
to prohibit any drilling on the Reef
or any drilling or mining which could damage the Reef.
A moment ago there was an interjection which indicated that the
joint statement from the Premier and me does not have the force
of law. But what does have the force of law is the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Act and the Authority established under that Act
which will be totally unimpaired as a result of the package of
measures which is now before the House. The measures thaL are
now before the House pay due regard to the Act and to that
Auhority . Einrl make it perfectl% plain that that Act and that
Authority will stand supreme in relation to the protection of
the reef.
The Australian Labor Party is being purely mischievous in seeking
to suggest otherwise. So that tI& record may be complete, and
so that I will not need to read the statemenlt of 14 June to the
House in full, I ask that it be incorpotated in Hansard.