It is long past time The Coalition learned to stop pandering to the Greens and the UN, both of whom actively work against the interests of Australia and people generally.
Antarctica must go on heritage list – Coalition – THE Coalition has put its weight behind the world heritage listing of Antarctica, giving a fillip to an environmental cause sharply dividing polar experts.
The extra layer of world heritage protection was ”absolutely necessary” to stop mineral exploitation of the frozen continent, the Coalition spokesman David Bushby said in Hobart yesterday.
”We believe Australia can promote a co-operative approach with a world heritage nomination,” said Senator Bushby, the deputy opposition whip.
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”Antarctica is too important in the global scene to lose to mining or pollution.”Senator Bushby was speaking at a symposium timed to coincide with the 50-nation Antarctic Treaty meeting in Hobart, where world heritage nomination is a touchy issue.
Advocates argue it will ensure greater protection against its exploitation, with the treaty’s mining ban potentially up for review in 2048. Opponents say it is a distraction from an already powerful regime and could open the door to further United Nations control of the continent.
The federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, did not rule out pushing for a nomination but warned of difficult obstacles.
”The special legal and political status of Antarctica, accommodating the positions of both those countries claiming territory – like Australia – and those which do not recognise such claims, would present significant challenges,” Mr Burke told the Herald.
He said it would need agreement by all 28 nations who are the inner decision-making Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and agreement in the UN to modify the World Heritage Convention.
The ANU international law professor Don Rothwell said the Antarctic Treaty was not as strong as some suggested, while the UN’s World Heritage Convention imposed obligations upon all 189 nations that signed it.
