FOR MEDIA MONDAY, 19 MAY, 1980
HOBART TO BE HEADQUARTERS OF ANTARCTIC COMMISSION
Hobart has been selected as the site for the permanent
headquarters of the international Commission for the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Hobart's
nomination was agreed to in principle by delegates from fifteen
nations meeting in Canberra yesterday at a Conference to
finalise an international Convent-ion governing the conservation
and management of marine living resources in the Antarctic region.
Final details of the Convention have now been agreed and
delegates aLre expected to meet for the last time tomorrow
to give formal endorsement of its provisions, including
H-obart's selection for the Commission headquarters.
The decision by delegates follows strong support given to
Hobart's nomination by the Commonwealth Government over a long
period. This has involved extensive diplomatic contacts
prior to the Conference, as well as direct discussi ons with
-Conference delegates during their meeting in Canberra. In
addition, the C ommonwealth Government had made a R. AAF ( VIP)
aircraft available during the conference for a visit to
Hobart by Delegation Heads to inspect facilities, and had
jointly hosted functions for the delegates in co-operation
with the Tasmanian Government.
The success of the Commonwealth's approach on behalf of
Hobart is a further development in the Government's continuing
program to establish Tasmania as an internationally recognised
centre of study and research in marine and Antarctic matters.
Previous initiatives in this respect by the Commonwealth
Government have included establishment of the Australian
M'aritime College in Launceston, transfer to Hobart of the
Antarctic Division of the Department of Science and the
Environment, and most recently, the Government's decision to
establish a Marine Science Centre in Hobart including the
trangfer of the CSIRO division of Fisheries and Oceanography.
By bringing together these research and related activities,
Tasmania will become the hub of Australia's Antarctic endeavours,
and an important centre for marine science and research for
all Australia. / 2
2
Tasmania is going to play an increasingly important role
in advancing Australia's knowledge of, and capacity to
develop, the resources of the sea.
Major facilities are being established here; facilities
that will place Tasmania, and therefore, Australia, at the
forefront of marine science and technology.
This latest decision by delegates from countries including
those with highly developed capacities for Antarctic research
and commercial activity, is an important sign of
international recognition for Australia's, and particularly
Tasmania's standing in these fields, developed largely as
a result of the Commonwealth's initiatives.
The Commonwealth has agreed to join with the Tasmanian
Government in sharing the cost of establishing the new
headquarters, and will shortly be commencing discussions
on these arrangements and on the most suitable location
for the Commission.
I pay tribute to the determined efforts
of Federal Government Members and Senators from Tasmania,
whose continuing interest in this matter over several years
has played a large part in achieving this pleasing result.
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