PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS 17 MARCH 1978
MEETING WITH WORLD WILDLIFE FUND OFFICIALS
Today I met with Mr. Charles de Haes, Director-General of
World Wildlife Fund and Mr. David Ogilvy, a Trustee and
Executive Council Member of World Wildlife Fund International.
I am delighted that World Wildlife Fund has responded so
positively to the suggestion that it should establish a branch
in Australia.
The possibility of such a move was discussed with Sir Peter Scott,
the Chairman of World Wildlife Fund International, during my
visit to London last year.
There is wide recognition of the need for World Wildlife Fund
to begin operating here. This is because Australia has some of
the world's most remarkable animals and plants, many of which
are endangered, or confined to limited areas because of changes
in land use.
It is now accepted that an essential ingredient in national and
international action to save these species from becoming extinct
is money for research, for management, and for the purchase
of essential habitat.
World Wildlife Fund has a proven record as an internationally
successful fund-raising organization for conservation action
which relies on sound business principles in its operations,
World Wildlife Fund is not only concerned with fund-raising,
however, but with ensuring that the money is spent effectively.
It.-works largely by co-operation with other conservation
organizations, often on a shared-cost basis.
I am advised that funds raised in Australia will be overwhelmingly
spent on projects in Australia especially in the early years.
Contributions to the Australian branch of the fund will be made
tax deductible.
There is an important role for Australian business in practical
action to achieve wildlife conservation through support for
World Wildlife Fund.
Environment and Conservation are so important that business
cannot afford to ignore them.
After Mr. de Haes concludes his round of visits next week, he will
again confer with Sir Noel Foley, Chairman designate of World
Wildlife Fund Australia, when final decisions about the launching
of the Fund in Australia will be taken.