AU SrRALIA k
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 5 JUNE 1988
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER FOR
THE ARTS, SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND TERRITORIES,
SENATOR GRAHAI RICHARDSON
Australia is to sign an international treaty aimed at
protecting the ozone layer.
Australia will sign this week the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, one of a series of
actions which the Commonwealth is taking to protect the
ozone layer.
Action to protect the ozone layer is high on the
environmental agenda of the Commonwealth Government. We are
confronted by an environmental problem with global
implications and firm measures must be taken now.
Senator Richardson will shortly be putting to Cabinet a
proposal for legislation to control Ozone depleting
chemicals. It is intended that this legislation, which
would implement the provisions of the Montreal Protocol,
will be passed later this year. However, Australia should
not necessarily confine action to meeting the particular
requirements of the Montreal Protocol. These should be
regarded as the minimum. All practicable steps should be
taken to reduce emissions of ozone depleting substances.
The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere screens out most of
the harmful ultraviolet light from the sun. This radiation
causes skin cancers and other health problems. Also it can
damage plants, including farm crops, and aquatic life.
Emissions into the air of some man-made chemicals, mainly
chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs), damage the ozone layer. CFCs
are used in some aerosol sprays, in refrigeration and air
conditioning units, and in the production of some plastic
foams.
Under the Protocol, Australia will be required to freeze the
consumption of CFCs at 1986 levels, beginning from next
year, and to progressively cut their use by half over the
next ten years. 2/ 2I
The Government is concerned by recent scientific discoveries
of dramatic losses of ozone over Antarctica for part of the
year, with CFCs being an important cause of the so-called
ozone hole. In addition, measurements of ozone over the
rest of the globe are now indicating small ozone losses
caused by CFCs.
Australia will press to ensure that the provisions of the
Montreal Protocol are revised as necessary in the light of
the most up-to-date scientific findings. All countries must
act together in a positive way to ensure that the ozone
layer is protected. The first review of the Protocol will
be completed by 1990.
The Commonwealth will continue to work closely with State
Governments and industry in ensuring the progress of the
proposed national legislation on protection of the ozone
layer.
We look forward to the cooperation of other political
parties when the legislation is introduced into the
Parliament. 0 () 69 8