MEDIA RELEASE BY HON. LES JOHNSON,  MHR FOR HUGHES,  OPPOSITION WHIP

2 BOYLE STREET, SUTHERLAND. 2232. Phone: 5 21.6 262_____ 28.6.1979.

W ATTACK ON ENVIRONMENT CONTROLS;  0 ' The Fraser Government seems to be determined to reduce the

existing Commonwealth Controls designed to protect the National

Estate. .

.  '  '  ÃÂ Â·

Mr. Johnson,  MHR for Hughes,  said that the Commonwealth must play

the leading role in protecting our National heritage and improving

our environment because it could take a National perspective and

has the financial resources available to save beautiful areas and

buildings.

"The Commonwealth also has constitutional responsibilities which

must be exercised having regard to the environmental consequences

as well as a co-ordinating'role with the States" '

Mr. Johnson said that areas under direct Constitutional control

of the Commonwealth Government in Sutherland and neighbouring

areas include Kingsford Smith airport,  the Army base at Holsworthy

Towra Point and the Atomic Energy Commission at Lucas Heights.

"Any decision by the Commonwealth relating to these areas is

subject to Commonwealth Environment Legislation which, if watered

down,  will deny the public a say before a decision is made

which affects the environment.

In addition,.the Commonwealth owns or controls a large number of

buildings,  including Post Offices and Banks,  which already form

part of our National Estate.

Mr. Johnson said that the Heritage Acts and International Agreement

and Conventions which Australia has signed have not been an

imposition on Taxpayers.

"The Heritage Acts have given the people of Australia a say in

the fate of the Nation's great natural and cultural assets"

Mr. Johnson has been advised that the main lobby seeking to

reduce the operation of the Legislation is the large Mining

Companies through the Australian Mining Industry Council.

The Fraser Government seems determined to unilaterally review

the operations of the Environment Protection Acts, with a.Â· view to

watering down existing controls and procedures before the Report

on the Legislation by the House of Representatives Standing

Committee on Environment and Conservation has been received. ,

Mr. Johnson said that the Fraser Government has shown that it

is more willing to respond to the demands of large Mining

Interests, than the needs of the Australian people.

