Media release - 20 October
2008 - Environment Minister, Peter Garrett
today announced the appointment of Mr Sandy
Hollway AO as Australia’s Special Envoy
for Whale Conservation.
Mr Garrett said Mr Hollway's
appointment was the next step in the Government's
comprehensive strategy to bring an end to
commercial and so-called 'scientific' whaling.
"Mr Hollway's appointment
builds on the intensive diplomatic engagement
the Rudd Labor Government has undertaken
to date and will see Australia deepen our
dialogue with leaders in Japan and other
countries ahead of the southern summer.
"Mr Hollway is
a highly experienced former public servant
with a strong background as a professional
diplomat and he brings to the position the
mix of intellect, skills and experience
necessary to help advance the Government’s
objective of ending Japan's so-called ‘scientific
whaling’ and improving the conservation
of whales globally."
Mr Garrett said the
Envoy had had initial discussions in Japan
and the United States with key officials,
and Mr Hollway had reported to he and the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith,
on the progress of these discussions.
"Since coming to
Government we have taken a robust approach
on the issue of commercial and so–called
'scientific' whaling, through bilateral
dialogue with Japan, multilateral diplomatic
representations and through an unprecedented
reform agenda within the International Whaling
Commission.
"At the recent
Commission meeting in Chile, Australia's
proposals to change the focus of the Commission
to whale conservation were strongly supported
by a substantial number of nations.
"Australia continues
to work in co-operation with other countries
to build a new global consensus on whale
conservation.
"To that end, I
look forward to Australia hosting an international
workshop early next year to plan the non-lethal
whale research partnership for the Southern
Ocean.
"This partnership
will be open to all nations and will direct
research on internationally-agreed priorities
and demonstrate once again that all essential
whale research can be performed without
killing a single whale."
Mr Garrett said he remained
hopeful that progress could be made ahead
of the southern summer.
"We will
continue our intensive engagement and will
continue to consider all options to bring
an end to commercial whaling, including
possible international legal action."
