Page 1468 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 1993
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purposes has been agreed. As a result of the moratorium, Madam Speaker, numbers of whales have increased, particularly the Southern Hemisphere minkie whales, and whaling nations believe that this justifies the lifting of the moratorium. I understand, Madam Speaker, that the Australian Government will maintain its opposition to all commercial whaling and its commitment to seeking worldwide protection for all cetaceans.
The Earth Summit in Rio last year focused unprecedented world attention on the plight of endangered species and the need to preserve biological diversity. I believe that whales, more than any other creatures, symbolise our past unsustainable exploitation of the natural world. Some species, including the blue whale - the largest animal ever to inhabit the planet - are still on the brink of extinction. Madam Speaker, I understand also that France will be putting to the IWC a motion for the provision of a southern ocean whale sanctuary, which obviously will outlaw all whaling, including so-called scientific whaling. I believe that the Australian Government supports this motion and will be working towards its adoption.
Commercial whaling is opposed by many countries, including Australia, for two reasons; firstly, on environmental grounds and, secondly, on ethical grounds. I hope that those in our community and in this Assembly who may not understand the whaling issue fully had the opportunity to view the documentary on this subject screened on ABC TV last Saturday evening. To see the so-called humane methods currently in use is a revulsion and a disgrace. The environmental effect of losing some of our species of whales is disastrous. Have we not learned by our past mistakes? The need to preserve biological diversity has been given unprecedented international attention in the last 12 months. Whaling demonstrates drastically our unsustainable and unnatural exploitation of animal species. I think it is important for us all to be aware of the meeting taking place this week. This Assembly is not immune to such global issues and I would urge all members to take note of the outcomes of this significant meeting.
Environmental Artists
MRS GRASSBY (5.17): Madam Speaker, I rise to put on record my support for last week's announcement regarding the grants made under the environmental artists scheme. This is the second year of this scheme and the first involving public tendering for the projects. From all accounts, this has been a very successful process. Some 20 artists formally applied and the department official administering the project remarked that she was surprised and more than pleased to receive more applications than before - many from high school students, a fact that can only help the project in the future. As you well know, Madam Speaker, it is this Government's policy to take art and environmental issues to the people of Canberra and to make them more accessible to all. This scheme is invaluable in achieving its objective. It is more than simply an art project as well. It concentrates on teaching the students about ecosystems and the environment in general. By designing and carrying out projects under the scheme, students will gain more knowledge of both art and environmental issues. The scheme does not start and end with the project but continues on afterwards, fitting into an overall strategy of environmental teaching in ACT schools.
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