PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 26 April 1990
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER
THE HON PAUL KEATING MP
The Government has finalised the terms of reference for the
Resource Assessment Commission's inquiry into the use of the
resources of the Kakadu Conservation Zone. The Prime
Minister has written to the Hon Justice D G Stewart,
Chairman of the Resource Assessment Commission, formally
asking him to commence the inquiry. A copy of his notice to
the Commission setting out the terms of reference for the
inquiry is attached.
This follows consultation with State and Territory
Governments and a range of other inmdustry, conservation and
Aboriginal organisations on the terms of reference for the
inquiry. The terms of reference now finialised will enable
the Commission to undertake a proper examination of all
major issues relevant to the Conservation Zone.
The Resource Assessment Commission was established by the
Commonwealth Government last year to conduct independent
inquiries into major complex resource issues. The issue of
the future use of the resources of the Kakadu Conservation
Zone involves conisideration of a range of particularly
complex and contentious resource, environmental and
Aboriginal. issues. The reference will form the Commission's
second inquiry following the referral of the issue of forest
resources to it late last year.
The Governor-General has appointed Professor Roger Kitching
and Dr Gregory McColl as special Commissioners to the
Resource Assessment Commission for the purpose of this
inquiry. Both are well qualified to assist Justice Stewart
with the inquiry.
Professor Kitching is Professor of Ecosystem Management at
the University of New England and has an extensive
background in scientific research and analysing
environmental issues.
Dr McColl is a consulting economist with considerable
analytical experience in economic and resouirce matters.
The Prime Minister has asked for the report to be completed
by 26 April 1991. 61987