FOR MEDIA 30th March 1983
Regulations will be introduced under the National Parks and
Wildlife Conservation Act to halt further work on the Gordon
below Franklin dam.
The Federal Government has taken this step only after repeated
requests to the Tasmanian Premier for negotiations and
discussions were rejected.
The Government is still ready to negotiate a settlement of
this issue that acknowledges the legitimate interests of
Tasmanians in ensuring adequate future energy needs and the
protection and generation of employment.
I am prepared to talk with Mr Gray in Tasmania on Wednesday
April 6 about alternative employment proposals and to
establish procedures to protect those immediately affected
by a halt to work on the dam.
This offer, naturally, depends on the cessation of construction
and associated works.
The regulations, known as the World Heritage ( Western
Tasmania Wilderness) Regulations will come into force as soon
as they are gazetted.
The regulations are being made to enable Australia to give
effect, to its obligations under the World Heritage Convention
following the nomination of the Western Tasmania Wilderness
National Parks, at the request of Tasmania, for inclusion
in the World Heritage List.
The area has now been listed.
The regulations will apply to the Dam construction area and
any activity likely adversely to affect the area's cultural
and natural heritage.
PRIME MINISTER CANBERRA
The Hon. Robin Gray, MHA
Premier of Tasmania
HOBAR~ T TAS 7000
My dear Premier
My letters of 28 March 1983 and 13 March 1983 have offered
the preferred course of action to resol. ve the divisions that
exist in your State over the Gordon below Franklin Darn.
You have rejected both endeavours to negotiate a settlement.
Further, you appear not to have understood the essence of
our offer.
Put simply, it is:
We have stated repeatedly we will assist in developinq
alternatives which guarantee your energy supplies to
cover both the present and future needs.
We are not opposed to the development of hydroelectricity
to meet Tasmania's future energy needs.
We are opposed to the Gordon below Franklin Dam.
We have made it clear we will assist those directly
affected by stopping work on the dam and in the
transfer of employment from that site to other
projects. We are committed to achieving equivalent employment
opportunities for those working on the current
project. Further, we will assist in developing a long-term
economic package for the benefit of all Tasnianians.
We acknowledge and accept our responsibility to do
all possible for those currently unemployed within
your State.
Finally, we have many times stated our commitment to
healing the divisions in our society. This issue
clearly divides Tasmania. / 12
r"
The issue will not disappear, nor will the conflict and
divisions unless a negotiated settlement is reached
which is broadly based, generally acceptable and
preserves the areas affected by the World Heritage Area.
We have done all possible to protect the workforce in
Tasmania and we will continue to do so. Your rejection
of our offer to negotiate leaves us with the only
available alternative.
Regulations will be gazetted under the National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975. The regulations apply
to the dam area and prohibit further work on the construction
of the dam site and associated works.
The regulations will come into force immediately they
are gazetted. I have arranged for copies to be made
available to your Office as soon as possible.
We have taken this course of action with great reluctance.
Your refusal to negotiate left us no choice, and if that
attitude is maintained you will through your actions begin
to affect the employment of the Tasmanians about whom you
express concern.
Whether you refuse to acknowledge it or not, the issue
is one which extends well beyond the boundaries of Tasmania.
It is one about which many people feel strongly. It is one
which is clearly divisive within your own community.
I remind you of your own commitment during the State
Election Campaign, which was to set about healing divisions
in Tasmanian society.
With the greatest respect, you have not succeeded. Nor
will you unless you agree to sit down with the Commonwealth
Government and begin to negotiate a settlement which can
maintain all of the major objectives of both your
Government and mine, including preserving the integrity of
the World Hetitage area.
I am prepared to meet with you in Hobart on Wednesday, 6 April
to negotiate on matters already raised in previous
correspondence and to establish the processes required to
protect those immediately affected by the gazettal of the
abovementioned regulations. / 3
3.
F in ally the offe r to Tree t on Wed ne-, sd ay 6 Apr~. depends
on the~ cessation of construction oil the damn site
and associated works.
Yours sincerely Hawke)