Enio0et ' OuC o untIry,. FuOuurr' Isidinthe
concluding remarks to that Statement that further measures
to preserve and enhance the environment would be taken by my
Government. And I said earlier this year that I would be
issuing a progress report on the Environment Statement.
Today I am meeting those commitments.
While the purpose of this report is to inform you of the
considerable progress that has already been made in
implementing the undertakings given in ' Our Country, Our
Future', I would not wish anyone to think that the task is
nearly complete. I said in my original Statement that the
measures announced in it would not put an end to the
despoiling of the Earth, but that they would help. I can
tell you now that they are helping, but there is a long road
to travel before we as a community can claim to be good
stewards of our natural heritage: before we can be sure
that the world we pass on to our children one whose
environment is protected and enriched.
In our fourth term in office, we will continue to make the
decisions needed to take our country further down the path
of ecological sustainability.
2.
The individual measures that my Government has taken are
important, and I will report on those in some detail
shortly. But it is the growing environmental awareness and.
commitment in the community which is enabling us to
implement these new environmental measures. If the
Environment Statement played any small part in raising that
awareness then it will have been worthwhile. And if people
are increasingly prepared to make their own small individual
contribu tions to restoring and preserving the environment
and I believe they are then we can all look with greater
optimism to bequeathing to our children a better environment
than that which we inherited. I
Some of the most serious environmental problems are global
in nature and require global solutions.
There is, of course, a limit to how much a nation of
Australia's size can do in a global sense. But we are
p articipating to the fullest extent of our capacity and I
can say with pride that Australia is having an impact on
global environmental issues far beyond Australia's size in
the international community.
Australia is leading the world in an international campaign
to ban mining in Antarctica. And we have taken the lead in
imposing a global ban on the barbaric practice of driftnet
fishing. ' Australia is prominent in international efforts to
address the greenhouse effect. We are setting the pace in
phasing out the use of ozone-depleting CFCs.-And we are
taking on a special responsibility in international efforts
. opreserve the Earth's biological diversity.
3.
An obvious impediment to good environmental management in
the past has been that we simply have not had available to
ual enough information to be able to make rational and
informed decisions. This deficiency is now being addressed.
My Government is funding a number of data bases and research
efforts, which will provide the scientific underpinning for
more informed decision making.
I would now like to repo'rt to you, in some detail, on the
progress that has been achieved in the implementation of the
commitments made in the Environment Statement last year.
LIZIIII
The preservation of our soil and water resources remains an
urgent task. -We cannot continue to degrade our productive
lands as we have done in the past. In many ways this is our
most pressing national environmental problem.
The productive potential of Australian land has been reduced
as a result of excessive clearance of native vegetation and
overuse of soils. The result has been extensive erosion,
salination, and water degradation.*
The Government'sa main programs for dealing' with these
problems are the National Soil Conservation Program and
Landcare. The Australian Conservation Foundation and the
National Farmers' Federation have been working closely with
the Government in the development of these programs. The
success of both of these approaches to overcoming soil, land
and water degradation depends heavily-upon the co-operation
of all resource users. Accordingly, the Environment
Statement focussed on greater community awareness,
participation and education concerning the importance of
landcare and policies to improve it.
4.
National S Il Canggryation Progrram ( NSUA~
The NSCP started in 1983 and is aimed at changing land
management practices and attitudes towards the use of our
soil. In the Environment Statement we provided an
additional $ 10 million to the NSCP for 1989-90. Over
7 million of this has already been allocated to fund 492
new projects.
The NSCP has four major componients. The establishment of
Community Landcare Support Groups has been facilitated by
the allocation of $ 2.8 million. The aim of these groups is
to encourage local community participation in projects which
develop codes of practice for landuse, assess salinity
damage, and trial techniques for improving farm planning. A
clear indication of the success of this program is the
interest shown in forming local groups. We have received a
flood of applications, and these are now being processed.
The inadequacy of basic data on the severity and extent of
degradation has been a constraint in overcoming it. In
1989-90, $ 2.3 million has been provided to undertake an
assessment of land degradation in Australia. It is expected
that such an assessment for the whole of Australia will take
until 1996 to complete.
Farmers need advice urgently on how to limdit-soil
degradation. We have provided nearly $ 1 million in 1989-90
for research into developing whole farming systems that are
economic and yet do not degrade the soil. This research-is
bing carried out by universities, CSIRO and State agencies.
It is important that difficulties in the transfer of such
Information and new technology do not constrain an effective
soil conservation effort. A public awareness, education and
training program is being supported by $ 1 million in
funding.
The additional funding provided in the Environment Statement
means that total program expenditure over the next two years
will be $ 49 million for landcare and related tree planting
and conservation programs.
Year and DecadA of Landcare ( 1990 to the Year 2000T
The Year and Decade of Landcare is utilising participation
and education programs to increase awareness among rural and
urban communities.. of the problems caused by land degradation
and the practices necessary to tackle it. J1
CThe Landcare Australia Foundation has received $ 1 million to
manage a national public awareness, participation and
education campaign for the Year and Decade of Landcare and
to administer corporate sponsorships.
A Landcare Liaison Group has been established comprising
representatives from Government, science and the community
to help co-ordinate and publicise land, soil and water
policies. The Group is producing an information leaflet
outlining the funds available under all the land related
projects. MUrray Darling Basin
Unsustainable economic activity is a particular problem in
the Murray Darling Basin. The economic'importance of the
M rray Darling Basin and the gravity of the environmental
problems facing the area made the junction-of these two
great rivers an appropriate place for the launch of the
Environment Statement last year. The problems are being
addressed, but they will take time, and continuing
commitment and co-operation from everyone involved
Commonwealth and State Governments, industry, farmers and
environmentalists.
A Natural Resources Management Strategy has been developed
to) redress the degradation of land resources, impairment of
water quality, rising water tables and the loss of native
flora and fauna in the Murray Darling Basin. * The
Environment Statement provided an additional $ 0 million in
1989-90 to implement this Strategy. In total, $ 7.7 million
was allocated in October 1989 to 96 new projects under the
Strategy. The last two hundred years have seen a substantial reduction
in tree cover in Australia, but this is now being reversed.
More and more people from all walks of life are coming to
realise the importance of trees. Trees are not just a
resource for a variety of industries. They are essential to
maintaining the balance of our environment. They provide,
in addition to timber, protection from erosion for our
soils, protection of our water supplies, habitat for our
native plants and animals, shelter for livestock and
enjoyment for the community. And, because growing trees
absorb carbon dioxide, they can help mitigate the greenhouse
effect. There are two ways of addressing tree loss -planting new
trees and protecting existing ones. While tree planting
plays a very important role, the preservation of native
trees and vegetation is also important because of their
special qualities, their resistance to drought and flood and
the habitat that they provide. for native plants and animals.
The Statement on the Environment announced two new programs
to help protect and improve Australia's native tree and
vegetation cover.
7.
One Billion Trees
Un~ der this program the Government aims to promote in the
community an awareness of the importance of trees and to
have one billion more trees growing around Australia by the
year 2000. This can only be achieved, and will only have
lasting value, if the community is actively involved.
As explained in the Environment Statement, some 400 million
of these trees are to be planted in the community by school
children, community groups and landholders. A further 600
million trees will be planted in open areas under the
Natural Regeneration and Seeding Program. This will involve(
demonstrations in open areas of ways to improve methods of
gr owing trees.
Greening Australia is administering the One Billion Trees
program and has been allocated $ 4.0 million for 1989-90.
The community tree planting program was launched on
8 February 1990 at Redbank Plains in Queensland by Mrs Hawke
as the patron of Greening Australia and by Senator
Richardson. State Greening Australia bodies are finalising
their programs and undertaking preparatory work to enable
planting to commence on a large scale in this planting
season autumn in Eastern Australia.
While the. One Billion Trees Program is a central element of
the Government's approach, tree cover will also be enhanced
as the result of a range of other programs which have as
their objective the protection of our forests, soils, -water
and endangered species.
Sv i the% Bu sih
Significant areas of native vegetation exist outside of the
national parks system and these areas ( and the native
animals which they contain) need protection.
' V
As part of our commitment to maintaining biological
diversity a program to ' save the bush' was announced in the
Environment Statement. By the end of 1990-91, $ 2.5 million
will have been allocated to encourage efforts.-in this area.
The first allocation of funding under the program was a
special grant of $ 500,000 to the South Australian Government
to assist it in a number of projects concentrated on the
mallee area in the River.. Murray Basin.
Under the general-% grants scheme a further $ 350,000 is to be
provided within the next month or so via 29 grants to State
and Territory governments and non-government organisations g
to support native vegetation conservation schemes.
Forestn and Forest Indusitriesg
There are very heavy competing claims on Australia's native
forests, particularly our oldgrowth forests. My Government.
is committed to protecting substantial areas of our native
forests, but we are also determined to develop a thriving,
secure forest industry based on adding maximum value to the
product. At this stage the Government does not have all of the
information required to make soundly based* decisions on the
resolution of these competing claims.
For this reason, the Government has initiated a number of
peocesses designed to generate that information. These
include: Preparation of a National Forests Inventory, a National
Wilderness Inventory and biological resource data
bases;
9.
The sending of a forests reference to the Resource
Assessment Commission, which is due to report by
November 1991; and
Various studies for the South East Forests of New Wales
and East Gippsland in Victoria.
The. information from these processes will help -guide the
Government in implementin~ g a national forest strategy.
A key element in . that strategy will be the augmenta tion of
the available resource through the rapid increase in the
establishment of eucalypt plantations to supply expanding
amounts of pulpwood. We will examine all measures to
facilitate the establishment of this resource. We will
require woodchip exporters to commit themselves to the
establishment of plantations. And, in keeping with the
Government's policy of wanting to add value to all our
produce, we will ask all of the major woodchip export
companies in Australia to present to us their plans for
adding value to this product before the end of the decade.
The Government's environmental guidelines for new bleached
eucalypt kraft pulp mills, foreshadowed in the Environment
Statement, were released in December 1989. These guidelines
are the most stringent in the world. A package of measures
to support the guidelines was announced i't* the same time,
and is centred on a $ 15 million research program which will
be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the State
Governments and the industry. The program will-be aimed at
maintaining the capacity to research and . monitor the
environmental impact of kraft mills, and on developing
organochlorine-free bleaching methods for eucalypt pulp.-*
IZDATABAESIiZ
There is a growing awareness of the need f or a sound and
scientifically based approach to the use of natural
resources in Australia. The size of Australia, and the
uniqueness of its native f lora and f auna, make . the gathering
of the scientif ic informat ion required a challenging task.
While a great deal of informat~ on has already been
collected, there Are still enormous gaps to be filled over
time. Much of the necessary information is -not readily
available. What is required is an ongoing commitment to
filling the gaps that exist, learning more about the
interactions between different elements within natural
systems, and the organisation of information to make it more
accessible. The Environment Statement contained several initiatives
which will add to the information bases necessary for more
informed decision making in regard to natural resource
management. These systems are based on computerised
geographic information system technologies and enable many
different data types to be assessed and integrated.,
The Environmetntal Reg ureP Tnfor-mation Network ( ERIN) I
The Envir onment Statement provided $ 1.8 milli on for the
establishment of the Environmental Resources Information
Network ( ERIN) in 1989-90 and a further $ 2. l. million in
i1gg0-91.
ERIN will collect and make available information on the
distribution of vegetation types, endangered species,-* and
heritage sites.* The systems specifications enabling the
integration of such data are currently being developed and
implementation will commence in the first half of this year.
The National Forentn Inventory
The Environment Statement provided $ 2.9 million to develop
an inventory of Australia's forest resources over the next
three years. The Inventory will cover a broad
classification of vegetation types, fauna and aspects of
land tenure. Once this information has been drawn together,
it will be able to be integrated with other natural resource
information via the Nationial Resource Information Centre
( NRIC).
Guidelines for co-operation between the States and
Territories and the Commonwealth in developing the inventory
( i have been agreed at the officials level. A system of forest
vegetation classification has been reviewed and a discussion
paper prepared.
The National Wilderneng Inventory
The National Wilderness Inventory aims to provide an
inventory of Australia's wilderness resources. Once this
information has been collected, it will provide a useful
management tool for predicting the effect development
proposals may have on wilderness qualities.
The inventory was initiated by my Government in 1986 and has
( already been completed in Tasmania and Victoria. Funding
provided in the Environment Statement was used to complete
the Cape York and South Australian components. Over
$ 200,000 has been allocated , f or inventories for-Northern New
South Wales, Northern Western Australia and Southern New
South Wales/ Australian Capital Territory to be undertaken
between 1989-90 and 1991-92. Work is to commence on the
Northern New South Wales inventory in this year.
12.
The National ResoczurCe Information Centre ( NflIC)
NRIC has been set up by the Government to improve the
information base on Australia's natural resources. It is
designed to enable better access to information about
natural resources, as well as quicker and more cost
effective information retrieval; and to provide better
service to requests for planning projects.
Additional funding provided inithe Environment Statement has
enabled the development of a new and expanded version of the
national directory of data sources, which is to be released
in June 1990. This computer-based directory will facilitate
K data exchange between national and State directories.
The directory will also draw on information from natural
resource sources such as ERIN, the National Forest Inventory
and the National Wilderness Inventory, as well as
socio-economic information such as population statistics and
development plans. Computer techniques can then be applied
enabling users to produce a display of integrated resource
information. Users will be able to call up maps on a screen
which will help them determine the resource implications of
alternative courses of action.
Z TE RENHUS FECIT
Since early 1989 Australia has placed a high priority on
i~ sues relating to climate change the greenhouse effectboth
internationally and domestically.
National Rasponsps
Lhst year the Government decided to augment existing climate
change research by providing an additional $ 7.8 million over
the years 1989-90 and 1990-91. Of this amount, $ 5.4 million
i~ s going towards a core program of research which includes
work on modelling by the Bureau of Meteorology*, CSIRO and
the Department of Defence. Out of these funds,
$ 0.15 million is also being provided in 1989-90 to the
Australian Academy of Science' sto enable the development of a
research program acnd the planning of Australia's
contribution to the International Geosphere-Biosphere6'
Program. The National Greenhouse Advisory Committee held its third
meeting on 20 February 1990. At the meeting, the Committee
reviewed the progress of the core research program and
finalised the* Dedicated Greenhouse Research Grants Scheme
foreshadowed in the Statement, including determination of
the objectives and priority areas for research under the
scheme. The Committee is also developing an information
program to promote public dissemination of greenhouse
information. The Environment Statement gave a commitment to work towards
the domestic reduction of major greenhouse gases, and forthose
that are energy related, to work towards increased
energy-efficiency to yield a lower ' level of gas emissions
for a given level of production. A commitment was also
given to consult with relevant conservation and industry
9toups with the objective of achieving a global reduction in
total greenhouse gas emissions, involving processes such as
energy efficient manufacturing -and vigorous moves -to energy
conservation in Australia and abroad.
13.
14.
I have established a Special Working Group on reducing
Greenhouse Gas Emissions within Australia. At the end of
1989 its preliminary report was released for public comment,.
and circulated to industry, union and conservation groups,
and the State and Territory Governments.
The Working Group's report pointed to the high probability
aissociated with projected global changes and the large
uncertainties with respeczt to changes at the regional level.
It concluded that policy responses should be justified on
the grounds of improved efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Consistent with views expressed by the Prime Minister's
Science Council, the working group considered that the
C Commonwealth should adopt a phased approach in developing
Its national strategy.
The first phase, of short term options, should include
continued and total phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons by
the year 2000; encouragement of increased energy efficiency
and conservation and improved energy use management; support
for reforestation and efforts to minimise deforestation; and
support for increased natural gas and renewable energy-use
in the residential sector.
More detailed consideration is being given to these matters
In various* Commonwealth/ State ministerial councils.
Further work will be done by the Special Working Group on
both short term and medium to longer term options.
Th Commonwealth Government has now set in train the first
phase of a long term education campaign with grants to
conservation groups, Greenhouse Action and the -National..---
Greenhouse Advisory Committee, and funding for DASETT and
the Australian and New Zealand Environment Council.
The National Health and Medical Research Council has
appointed consultants to identify adverse health effects of
potential climate change, develop strategies to deal with
them, evaluate research and training needs, and propose data
collection methodology.
Tn~ tprnational Responses
Australia has intensified its international activities in
support of research and policy development, taking a leading
role at meetings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change ( IPCC) and in preparation of papers for the IPCC
report that is to be finalised in mid-1990. This report
will cover all major aspects of greenhouse matters: science
and monitoring, possible impacts, and the range of
adaptation measures, including policy responses.
A ustralia has also played a constructive role in other
international fora concerned with the greenhouse effect,
including the United Nations, the OECD, and the South
Pacific Forum. To facilitate IPCC consideration of the
coastal zone aspects of climate change, Australia hosted an
IPOC working group meeting in Perth in February 1990.
Because the problems associated with the greenhouse effect
will require genuinely global solutions, and need the
co-operation of developing as well as developed countries,
Australia has funded developing country participation at key
international meetings, especially those under IPCC
a" pices.
16.
Australia has also been working with other countries on
developing a framework international convention on climate
change, which it is hoped will be ready for signature at the
IL992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. This
convention will provide an umbrella for more specific
agreements addressing particular aspects of concern, such as
international collaboration in scientific monitoring and
research, technology transfer, and possible institutional
funding arrangements.
At the 1989. South -Pacific Forum, Australia offered to
establish a network of sea level monitoring stations in the
South Pacific at a cost of $ 6.25 million. The Australian a
C International Development Assistance Bureau ( AIDAB) has now
oversighted the completion of a feasibility study for the
proposal. The design phase for the project is expected to
be completed by the end of March and the equipment purchased
by the end of the financial year. In addition, a technical
exkpert is expected to be appointed by June to operate as a
climate change adviser to governments and government
authorities in the region.
In December 1989, the Prime Minister wrote to the developing
Commonwealth countries inviting them to take part in an
Australian-funded technical assistance program. Under this
( program, scientists from participating countries will be
trained in the use of techniques and models which will
enable them to predict from climate data the distribution
and productivity of crops, pastures, forests and animals.
* 17. VV
There is now widespread community awareness of the hole in
the ozone layer, and the threat that it poses-to Australians
in particular, who already have a high incidence of skin
cancers. Australia has taken a leading position in
combatting this global problem, and we are making rapid
progress domestically.
As foreshadowed in the Environment Statement, a National
Strategy for Ozone Protection for Australia was announced in
August 1989 by the Australian and New Zealand Environment
Council. Guidelines and targets have been set which will
result in a 95 per cent reduction in the manufacture and
import of CFCs and halons by 1995 and a total phase out by
1998. These guidelines and targets complement the Federal Ozone
Protection Act which provides for a ban on the manufacture
and importation of & FC based aerosols and polystyrene foam
used in insulation. These bans came into effect on
31 December 1989. Bans on the sale of these items are to
come into effect during 1990 under State legislation.,
These actions fulfil the undertakings in. the Environment
statement. They also give Australia a rate of reduction in
CFC use twice as fast as the rate required by the Montreal
Protocol. As indicated in the Statement,* we have also led
the way in limiting exports of CFCs, and have offered
assistance with alternative technologies to other countries.
18.
L SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT I
As indicated in the Environment Statement, the general
principle of sustainable development has had broad
acceptance in Australia since the adoption of the National
Conservation Strategy for Australia in 1983. It has
underpinned Commonwealth policies since then and it was the
underlying theme of the Enhvironment Statement.
In order to give greater impetus to the application of the
sustainable development concept within Australia, in II
December 1989 I invited the State and Territory Governments,
and industry, union and conservation representatives to
co-operate with the Commonwealth in developing a national
strategy on sustainable deve lopment. This strategy will be
based on a sectoral approach and have as its aim the
development of a framework for moving major industry sectors
towards long term sustainability.
As a first step, the Commonwealth is preparing a discussion
paper on the concept of sustainable development, for
circulation to interested groups and the States and
Territories. When the paper has been finalised following
that process, it will be issued as a starting point for the
sectoral working groups that will be established to address
major problems and issues in each of the main industry
sectors agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, energy,
manufacturing and tourism. The working groups will be
expected to report significant progress by the end of 1990.
19.
Much of the waste produced by modern industrial societies
can be usefully recycled. Reusing material reduces the
demand for our natural resources as well as reducing the
overall waste disposal problem.
In an effort to promote ibcycling initiatives in the public
sector,* the Commonwealth has investigated the potential for
the use of recycled paper in government offices and is
presently reviewing paper contracts.
The Commonwealth has exempted a range of recycled paper
products from wholesale sales tax to encourage their use.
This exemption covers designated recycled paper products
sold after 4 October 1989.
As part of the environmental education strategy, $ 150,000
has been allocated for the establishment of a National
Recycling Centre. The Centre will develop and sponsor a
comprehensive education program for children on recycling.
The grant will also assist in equipping a mobile van to
enable the Recycling Centre's education program to be
extended to rural schools.
L EDCAON I
T~ e Government recognises the importance of environmental
research and is committed to promoting a high standard of
research In the higher education. system. -In 1990 the
Australian Research Council will provide $ 5.2 million for
109 research grants, a special research centre at the
University of Western Australia and three key teaching
centres. RECYCLING
The Minister for Employment, Education and Training launched
an environmental education Strategy in November 1989. The
strategy provides $ 400,000 -to increase the awareness and
understanding of our global environment in Australia's
schools. Of this money $ 150,000 is for the National
Recycling Centre, $ 100,000 for the development of
environmental education programs in Victorian schools,
000 was provided to the Gould League for an information
booklet, -$ 40,000 for National Environment Awards and $ 40,000
to contribute to a conference for teachers involved in
environmental education.
C. Cape York Peninsula is one of the least developed and most
sparsely populated areas in Australia. Rich in biological
species and with a considerable variety of ecosystems, as
well as an important Aboriginal cultural heritage, the
Peninsula's relative isolation has been a major constraint
on development and the construction of infrastructure. It
is, however, of increasing interest as a tourist destination
and has some potential to develop its fisheries, pastoral
and agricultural activities and forestry and mining.
Because of concern that any. further development must take
due account of both environmental and Aboriginal values, the
Premier of Queensland, Mr Goss, and I ' agreed in December
1989 that our Governments would conduct a joint land use
s~ tudy of Cape York Peninsula. This study is expected to be
a precursor to a lond term strategy, including research and
planning, that will integrate the goals of conservation and
development.
21.
THE RESOURCE ASSESSMENT COMMISSION ( RAC)
The Resource Assessment Commission ( RAC) was established on
1 July 1989, with the task of conducting independent
inquiries into major complex resource issues. The inquiry
into options for the use of Australia's forest-and timber
resources has begun. The first public hearing was held in
December 1989. The Commission. is to report by 30 November
1991. The Government announced on 5 October 1989 that a reference
would be sent to the RAC to inquire into the environmental
values of the greatly reduced Kakadu Conservation Zone,
together with the impact on these values and on the values
of Kakadu National Park of possible mining operations there.
Consistent with provisions of the Resource Assessment
Commission Act, the State and Territory Governments and
industry, union and conservation groups are being consulted
on the terms of reference for the Inquiry. The Inquiry is
to run for one year.
A third reference, on coastal zone management, has been
foreshadowed, and terms of reference are expected to be
finalised in mid 1990.
22.
I. ANTARCTICA . I
Because of the uniqueness and fragility of the Antarctic
environment, its protection as the world's last unspoilt
continent has been a high priority for the Government.
Australia has been working closely with France in seeking
international support for the negotiation within the
Antarctic Treaty System of a comprehensive environmental
protection convention for Antarctica which would ban mining.
In support of this initiative Australia has recently hosted
a visit by Captain Jacques Cousteau, the distinguished
( 7 marine explorer, environmentalist and inventor.
A special Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting on the
antarctic environment will be held later in 1990 to consider
the Australian-French proposal for such a convention which
would establish Antarctica as a Nature Reserve Land of
Science. The proposal for a convention has received
considerable support amongst the parties to the Antarctic
Treaty. We expect support for this proposal to increase as
more and more countries come to understand the importance of
protecting the world's only pristine continent and realise
that this will not be achieved through the draft Convention
on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities.
New Zealand has recently changed its position and decided
against ratifying the draft Antarctic minerals convention.
It is also becoming increasingly unlikely -that the United
S. tates will ratify the convention.
23.
OTHER INTERNIATIONAL ISSUES I
The pressing need for an international collaborative
approach for tackling many of today's environmental problems
is now Virtually unchallenged. Issues such as biological
diversity and rainforest management, as well as the ozone
layer and climate change are under discussion in many
international organisations. -Australia is continuing to
play a leading role in these activities.
Amhasqador for the Environment
The former Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, was
appointed Australia's Ambassador for the Environment in.
July 1989. He is making an important contribution to
Australia's efforts to influence international action to
address global environmental problems by presenting
Australia's viewpoint on these matters in international
fora. Last December Sir Ninian represented Australia at the World
Conference on Preparing for Climate Change, in Cairo.
Sir Ninian has also had meetings with ministers for foreign
( affairs and environment in Europe and the'United States toexplain
the Australian-Franco initiative on the Antarctic.
This year he will be active in promoting to the 37 Antarctic
Treaty nations the advantages of supporting this initiative
andt having Antarctica declared an international nature
reserve,
24.
Rainforpntm Rainforests are a rich source of biological diversity. And
they are important for their effects on climate and soil,
water and air quality. Rainforests -in many countries are
also a source of commercial timber. The effective
management of rainforests has become a matter of
international concern.
Australia has taken action to brotect large areas of its own
rainforests. In addition, it is providing assistance to
help other countries improve the management of their
rainforests. Australia is providing $ 100,000 in 1989-90 under the
Tropical Forest Initiative for the provision of technical
assistance for the management and protection of forests-in
tropical countries, with $ 60,000 of this going to the
international Tropical Timber Study in Sarawak. This study
commenced in November 1989 with a visit to Sarawak by a
study panel of the International Tropical Timber
Organisation ( ITTO). The panel will report to the ITTO in
May 1990.
Senator Cook has invited Papua New Guinea to participate in
the initiative and has had direct discussions on the issue
with Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai ministers.
The Amazon rainforests have received particular attention
because of their size and relatively undisturbed nature.
A~ stralia donated $ 250,000 to the Brazilian Rainforest
Foundation on 11 September 1989 to assist with Amazon
rainforest preservation -by creating a -large -rainforestreserve.
President Sarney of Brazil has agreed to form a
commission to authorise the demarcation of land belonging to
the Caiapo Indians, as requested by the Rainforest
Foundation.
A number of organisations concerned with the rate of
deforestation in tropical rainforest areas have pressed for
restrictions on the importation of tropical rainforest
timber. Last year the Government decided to commission a
study on Australia's role in importing tropical timbers and
the implications and efficacy of restricting imports. A
draft report is now being considered by a panel of
independent assessors whose comments will be conveyed to the
consultants for consideration in preparing . the final report.
The report examines possible olicy options and their impact
on the resource base of the originating countries, as well
as their implications for industry within Australia. The
final report is expected to be released in April. 9
Research will play an important role in any attempt to
improve management policies and practices. Australia will
be providing $ 1 million for the establishment and
maintenance of the Institute of Tropical Rainforest Studies
in Cairns. Of this amount, $ 600,000 has been allocated for
research and operation costs for the first year.
Minlogircal iest
The Government is according high priority to the preparation
of a national strategy on biological diversity; and has been
active in international efforts to preserv6 the planet's.
biological diversity.
Australia is taking a leading role in the development -of -an
Mternational convention for the protection of biological
diversity, and will be offering to host a major
International meeting in the process -leading up -to -theadoption
of the convention. In addition we will be hosting
the annual meeting of the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, in Perth in
November this year.
26.
Australia has continued to work towards the completion of a
bilateral agreement on migratory birds with the USSR.
Informal discussions have also been held regarding a similar.
agreement with ASEAN.
We hope shortly to conclude consultations with the States
which would enable us to accede to the Bonn Convention on
the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
The world is at risk of losing many of its species because
of excess trading'in either individual species or products
derived from them. Australia is a strong supporter of the
Convention on the Importation and Trade in Endangered
C, Species ( CITES) which endeavours to regulate the import and
export of certain listed species.
Of particular concern to the international community hasbeen
the threat from the ivory trade to the existence of the
African elephant. On 22 August 1989, I announced a ban on
the importation of non-antique ivory. In October 1989,
Australia supported a move to place the African elephant on
Appendix 1 to the CITES Convention. This effectively
prohibits the export and trading of all elephant species by
signatories to* the Convention.
A major threat to the future of marine resources, and the.
communities which depend on them, is the expansion in
driftnet activity by distant water fishing fleets.
Australia prohibited driftnetting in all waters within the
Australian Fishing Zone as from 25 July 1989, continues to
deny access by driftnet vessels to Australian ports, except
In cases of emergency, and prevents transshipment of fish
caught by driftnets in the. Zone.
27.
During my visit to New Zealand in February 1990 1 signed,
for Australia, a convention to ban driftnet fishing
activities in the South Pacific. The Convention will be
signed by all South Pacific Forum countries and protocols to
the Convention will, when possible, be negotiated with
fishing nations. I also announced an enhanced program of
joint Australia-New Zealand driftnet surveillance and
enforcement measures.
Australia has also supported i United Nations resolution
committing fishing nations to cease driftnet fishing in the
South Pacific by July 1991 ( to cooperate in the development
of a fisheries management regime) and to implement a
moratorium globally by July 1992.
After previously agreeing only to limit the number of
driftnet vessels, Taiwan has now agreed to comply with the
United Nations resolution to halt driftnetting in the South
Pacific by July 1991.
The GoVernment pressed hard for a reduction in Southern
Bluefin Tuna ( SET) quotas in discussions with Japan and New
Zealand in October 1989. A reduction in the global quota of
over 20 per cent has continued a series of reductions
achieved since 1983-84. Following these quota negotiations,
expenditure of $ 0.7 million for 1989-90 has been allocated
for further SBT research.
To help preserve biological diversity at home, funding for
the first year of projects under the Endangered Species
Mgram ( ESP) has been approved. Approved projects under
the ESP include a National Education Program and a number of
maj or projects aimed at the control of introduced and
noxious species.
28.
The control of exotic and other pests and diseases is vital
i~ n maintaining the diversity of Australia's unique
ecosystems. In addition to assisting with the battle
against introduced species such as rabbits, cane toads and
mimosa pigra, voluntary guidelines controlling, the discharge
of ballast from ships entering Australia have been
introduced and a review of quarantine policy is currently
being undertaken. Also, $ 750,000 in additional funds will
be provided for the period to June 1991 for a research
program into the Crown of Thorns starfish. This program is
now underway.
Aid In further assisting developing countries in the South
Pacific and South-East Asian regions to address
environmental problems, $ 4.4 million has been allocated for
1989-90 for bilateral projects through the Environment
Assistance Program. An action plan has been developed to
maximise the effectiveness of the Program and establish
criteria for providing funds.
FLirther-Progrengs Rportn
The final section of ' Our Country, Our Future' committed the
Government to ongoing reviews of the progress being made in
implementing the undertakings given in that document. This
is the first such formal review. Further reports will be
tgaued periodically, to advise the co mmunity of progress
being made in protecting our irreplaceable natural
environment.