PM Transcripts

Jj AUS'I'XA! IA , L
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 1 July 1983
The Federal Goverrm-nt welcomes the High Court judgerent which confirms the
Ccomnwealth's powers to act to preserve the wilderness of South West Tasmania.
The importance of this area, which contains some of the last te: zerate
wilderness in the world, has been recognised internationally as cart of the
world's natural and cultural heritage through its listing in the World
Heritage Register.
Now that it is clear that the Comonwealth Government has the necessary po
we will move promptly and responsibly to ensure that the wilderi. ess of the
World Heritage area is preserved for all present and future Australians and
for the world. The decision also protects a significant part of Tasmania's
Aboriginal heritage.
I am writing to the Tasmanian Premier, Mr Gray, offering Cononwealth financial
support to ensure that the persons presently employed on the Gordon-below-
Franklin dam project are properly looked after, through inccme miaintenance for
up to one month while alternative employment opportunities are found.
The Federal Government will also take appropriate steps to protect the
interests of contractors engaged on the project.
The details of the Federal Government's offer to Tasmania will be made
public after it has been received by Mr Gray.
We appreciate that this has been a very difficult problem for the Tasmanian
Government and for many Tasmanians.
The Federal Government recognises that the Tasnanian Government acted in what
it believed was the interests of Tasmania.
Now that the issue has been resolved, I give our unequivocal assurance that the
Federal Government intends to work in a fully co-operative spirit with Tasmania
in the conservation and managerrent of the wilderness area, and Ln the developrrent
of alternative strategies for Tasmania's economic advancement.
I have no ccment to make on the wider implications of the High Court's
decision on the powers of the Cormonwealth. But I can say that we will always
prefer to act co-operatively with the States rather than, as in the present
case, being forced to assert the Commocnalth's constitutional pcers.
There need be no fear of a rush to extend Ccomonwalth activities into new
areas as a result of the High Court's decision. That would be totally at
odds with our consensus-building approach to Government.