Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senators Ian Macdonald and Bob Brown, who have contributed to this debate on the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Amendment Bill 2010. The government agrees with the opposition that the proposed amendments to the bill are unacceptable because they are actually inconsistent with Australia’s longstanding policy position for Antarctica. Because of the unique legal and political circumstances of the Antarctic region, the Antarctic Treaty parties, including Australia, take the view that issues relating to the environmental protection and management of the Antarctic should be dealt with primarily in the forums of the Antarctic Treaty system and should not be conflated with issues relevant to World Heritage and the conservation of whales. Article 7 of annex II to the Madrid protocol specifically provides:

Nothing in this Annex shall derogate from the rights and obligations of Parties under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

Australia actively pursues international measures for the comprehensive protection of whales in the appropriate international forum, the International Whaling Commission. On that basis, I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.