PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 27 November 1989
The Government has finalised the terms of reference for the
Resource Assessment Commission's inquiry into forests and
timber resources. I have written to the Hon Justice
D G Stewart, Chairperson of the Commission, formally asking
him to commence the inquiry. A copy of my notice to the
Commission setting out the terms of reference for the
inquiry is attached.
The Resource Assessment Commission was established by the
Commonwealth Government this year to conduct independent
inquiries into major complex resource issues. The
Government's intention to refer the issue of Australia's
forest resources to the Commission as its first topic of
inquiry was announced by the Minister for Primary Industries
and Energy, Mr Kerin, in May this year when he introduced
the Resource Assessment Commission legislation into
Parliament. I have consulted with State and Territory governments and
other interested parties on the terms of reference for the
inquiry. I am satisfied that the terms of reference and the
requirements contained in the Act will enable the Commission
to consider all aspects of forest resource use and
management that it considers relevant. In the Act, use in
relation to a resource includes use for conservation, and
the Commission is required to assess the environmental,
cultural, social, industry, economic and other implications
of all possible uses of the resource, including long-term,
uncertain and intangible implications.
The Governor-General has appointed Dr David James and
Dr Graeme Caughley as special Commissioners to the Resource
Assessment Commission for the purpose of this inquiry.
Dr James is an economist with considerable experience in the
field of resource economics. He was formerly Associate
Professor of Economics at Macquarie University.
Dr Caughley is Chief Research Scientist with the CSIRO's
Division of Wildlife and Ecology and has extensive
international experience in the field of applied ecology.
Because of the. complexity and importance of this issue I
have specified a period of two years for the Commission to
complete its investigations.
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT COMMISSION: INQUIRY INTO
AUSTRALIA'S FOREST AND TIMBER RESOURCES
The Resource Assessment Commission is an independent,
statutory body recently established by the Commonwealth
Government to conduct inquiries into major, complex resource
issues. I have issued the following notice to the Commission in
accordance with s. 16 of the Resource Assessment Commission
Act 1989. Commonwealth of Australia
Notice of Referral of a Resource Matter under s. 16 of the
Resource Assessment Commission Act, 1989
For the purpose of decisions that the Commonwealth
Government may make in the exercise of its powers,
TLrpaLmr the Resource Assessment Commission to conduct an
inquiry into options for the use of Australia's forest and
timber resources.
The Anope of the InQuiry shall be to identify and evaluate
options for the use of those resources.
Tha report of the inquir~ y is to be given to me by
November 1991.
The Commission shall take into account both the existing
management strategies and alternative uses for forestry
resources, including the Forestry and Forest Products
Industry Council ( FAFPIC) Growth Plan and the Australian
Conservation Foundation ( ACF) Alternative Strategy.
R J L Hawke
Prime Minister
Further information about the Commission's inquiry into
forest and timber resources is available from the Secretary,
Resource Assessment Commission, Locked Bag 1, Queen Victoria
Terrace, CANBERRA ACT 2600.