Page 5192 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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The reduction in the thickness of the protective ozone layer allows more ultraviolet light to reach us, and so increase our risk of skin cancer. This is a significant public health issue. Science has been able to show us that man-made ozone depleting substances, mainly CFCs, we have all used in our spray-cans, refrigerants, dry-cleaning and firefighting equipment and in foams are the cause of the demonstrated depletion of the ozone layer. We must act quickly, as already the effects of our past use will continue to deplete the layer for some time. In addition, Mr Speaker, most CFCs are gases which enhance the greenhouse effect. They are more potent than carbon dioxide and so must be controlled for this reason as well.
World leaders have indicated their concern and Australia has an international obligation under the Montreal Protocol to legislate to control and eventually phase out the use of ozone depleting substances. The Commonwealth, States and Territories responded to this obligation by developing the Australian Environment Council's strategy for ozone protection. This strategy was developed through comprehensive consultation with national industry groups, unions and the national environment movement. The States and the Territories were instrumental in this development. My colleague Ros Kelly, Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, presented this strategy to the recent international ministerial conference on ozone protection. The strategy was recognised as a leader in the world and is now a model for international action.
I am chairman of the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, the ministerial council which succeeded the Australian Environment Council, and am responsible for continued finetuning and updating of this national strategy. The process used in developing the strategy for ozone protection is a model for cooperation between government, industry, union, environmental groups and the community.
The ACT Government was active in assisting to develop the national strategy. The strategy has Australia-wide support. As a result of the strategy for ozone protection, the Commonwealth Government has enacted the Ozone Protection Act 1989, which regulates the manufacture and import of ozone depleting substances. The States and Territories are responsible for legislation regulating sale and use. This Government is committed to protecting the environment and recognises its responsibility in playing a role in achieving Australia's international obligation.
We have already seen positive signs. CFC propellant for spray-cans disappeared from the shelves and is no longer available for sale. Other actions will be more difficult and less obvious to the community, but will control much larger quantities of ozone depleting substances.
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