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Doubts About CRAMRA: June 1988 to May 1989

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Who Saved Antarctica?

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Abstract

Almost immediately after adopting the Antarctic minerals convention, doubts were raised about its acceptability. In Australia, government ministers questioned whether the convention was in Australia’s national interests. Environmental organisation started protesting, including in France where the Prime Minister expressed concerns about the convention as it was then drafted. Endorsement by France and Australia was essential for the convention to enter into force but domestic politics was making Australian signature uncertain. As the decision point approached, the emergence of French concern allowed Australia to avoid being isolated in its objections. Further doubts arose following a series of maritime accidents including, Exxon Valdez and Bahia Paraiso, which illustrated the risks of polar oil spills. The objections of environmentalists and calls for a world park are juxtaposed with 1980s domestic and international environmental politics, amplified by the coincidental timing of the shipping disasters. In parallel, the impact of domestic politics in Australia and France is recounted. This chapter tells the story of the period from June 1988 when the minerals convention was adopted to May 1989, when Australia decided that it would not sign the convention and would, instead, pursue a mining prohibition in an Antarctic wilderness reserve.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    3 June 1988, Murray Williams “Beeby says Antarctic convention historic” The Dominion (New Zealand), 3.

  2. 2.

    March 1989, “Report of the Australian Delegation to the 12th and Final Session of the Antarctic Minerals Negotiations” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2), 3.

  3. 3.

    Antarctic Treaty, Final Report of the Fourth Special Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on Antarctic Mineral Resources, 9.

  4. 4.

    ibid., 8. France appeared keener to support mining than claimant interests. Templeton, A Wise Adventure II: New Zealand and Antarctica after 1960, 179.

  5. 5.

    3 June 1988, WL33610 “Antarctic minerals: 12th session—report no 18—final plenary” (NAA: B1387 87/720 PART 5).

  6. 6.

    “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities”, Art 20(5).

  7. 7.

    March 1989, “Report of the Australian Delegation to the 12th and Final Session of the Antarctic Minerals Negotiations” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2), 7–8.

  8. 8.

    Christopher C. Joyner, “The Effectiveness of CRAMRA,” in Governing the Antarctic, ed. Olav Schram Stokke and Davor Vidas (Cambridge University Press, 1996).

  9. 9.

    CRAMRA’s operation is assessed in: Bush, Antarctica and International Law: A Collection of Inter-State and National Documents (Looseleaf Volumes), Vol III, Booklets AL88D and AL88E. Christopher Beeby, “The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” speech presented to International Bar Association, Auckland, 13 October 1988 (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2). Peter J. Beck, “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities: A Major Addition to the Antarctic Treaty System,” Polar Record 25, no. 152 (1989). A. D. Watts, “The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities 1988,” The International and Comparative Law Quarterly 39, no. 1 (1990). Rüdiger Wolfrum, The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resources Activities: An Attempt to Break New Ground (Springer-Verlag, 1991). Wang, International Law on Antarctic Mineral Resource Exploitation, 98–131.

  10. 10.

    18 November 1988, “Antarctic minerals negotiations: Achievement of objectives” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  11. 11.

    March 1989, “Report of the Australian Delegation to the 12th and Final Session of the Antarctic Minerals Negotiations” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2), 74.

  12. 12.

    6 June 1988, DASETT brief to minister “Antarctic minerals convention negotiations” (NAA: B1387 87/720 PART 5).

  13. 13.

    23 October 1988, Roger Frankel (handwritten notes) “Points arising from discussion with Gerard van Bohemen” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  14. 14.

    The 22 letters are catalogued in: 18 November 1988 “Summary of correspondence between ministers on CRAMRA” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  15. 15.

    6 June 1988, letter from Keating to Duffy (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  16. 16.

    20 June 1988, letter from Cook to Hayden (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1). The tone of inter-ministerial letters reflected the views of the officials who had been delegates and prepared them. This may explain why the delegation report itself makes no mention of those views—all departments involved would have been expected to sign off on it.

  17. 17.

    20 June 1988, letter from Cook to Richardson (NAA: B1387 87/720 PART 4).

  18. 18.

    20 June 1988, letter from Hayden to Keating (NAA: B1387 87/720 PART 5).

  19. 19.

    4 July 1988, letter from Hayden to Cook (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  20. 20.

    29 July 1988, DASETT minute “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 87/720 PART 6).

  21. 21.

    23 June 1988, Andrew Darby “Hazards ahead in Antarctica” The Age, 11.

  22. 22.

    10 August 1988, letter from Cook to Hayden (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  23. 23.

    21 September 1988, letter from Keating to Evans (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AU-193).

  24. 24.

    Bramston, Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader, 317–19.

  25. 25.

    16 November 1988, facsimile DFAT to Antarctic Division “Summary of outstanding correspondence” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  26. 26.

    Bramston, Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader, 318–19.

  27. 27.

    This became known to ministers in April 1989. See 27 April 1989, letter from Keating to Hawke (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AU-196). It was publicly revealed a few days later—see 30 April 1989, Alan Fewster “Antarctic park finds an ally in Keating” Sunday Telegraph, 122.

  28. 28.

    “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities,” Art 18.

  29. 29.

    September 1988, “Report of the Australian Delegation, 8th Special Antarctic Consultative Meeting” (AAD: B13/198).

  30. 30.

    11 October 1988, letter from Cook to Evans (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  31. 31.

    13 October 1988, Christopher Beeby “The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities”, speech to International Bar Association, Auckland (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  32. 32.

    17 October 1988, draft submission to Foreign Minister Senator Evans (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  33. 33.

    21 October 1988, letters from Evans to Cook [and] from Evans to Keating (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  34. 34.

    26 October 1988, letter from Cook to Evans [and] 3 November 1988, letter from Keating to Evans (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  35. 35.

    18 November 1988, DASETT (Antarctic Division) submission to minister “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1). Others, however, thought that CRAMRA discouraged mining—see 2 December 1988, Patricia Birnie “Antarctica” (Ditchley Park Conference Report No D88/15) (AU-ATADD-5-BB-GE-443), 4.

  36. 36.

    29 October 1988, ASOC Information Paper 1988-4 “Analysis of the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (AU-ATADD-5-BB-GE-364), 1–7. 21 November 1988, Greenpeace International “An appeal to the United Nations” (AU-ATADD-5-BB-GE-365).

  37. 37.

    20 October 1988, Ross Peake “No Antarctic mining plans: Richardson” The Age, p 21.

  38. 38.

    11 November 1988, “Antarctic Minerals Convention”, unofficial transcript of meeting between Richardson and Peak Conservation Organisations (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  39. 39.

    Harry G. Frankfurt, On Bullshit (Princeton University Press, 2005).

  40. 40.

    16 November 1988, facsimile DFAT to Antarctic Division “Summary of outstanding correspondence” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1). 18 November 1988, DASETT (Antarctic Division) submission to minister “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  41. 41.

    21 November 1988, Mike Seccombe “Keating warns against signing Antarctic treaty” Sydney Morning Herald, 2.

  42. 42.

    22 November 1988, Warwick Smith media release “Antarctic minerals policy: Who’s in charge? Abysmal government performance” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  43. 43.

    23 November 1988, WL35185 “Antarctica: Mineral resources convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1). The cable provides the text of an article “Surprise at Keating Treaty opposition” in The Dominion (New Zealand).

  44. 44.

    22 November 1988, House of Representatives Hansard, 2935-2936; and Senate Hansard, 2476.

  45. 45.

    22 November 1988, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade news release M200 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  46. 46.

    23 November 1988, Senate Hansard, 2578.

  47. 47.

    25 November 1988, Opening address by Hon Russell Marshall (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  48. 48.

    The benefit of signature (rather than accession) was automatic membership of the Antarctic Mineral Resources Commission.

  49. 49.

    The Parties that signed on 25 November 1988 were Brazil, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, South Korea, the USSR and Uruguay. The United States signed separately on 30 November 1988. See https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/who-we-are/treaties/convention-on-the-regulation-of-antarctic-mineral-resource-activities/ (accessed 3 February 2021).

  50. 50.

    Templeton, A Wise Adventure II: New Zealand and Antarctica after 1960, 226. ‘Full Powers’ is the authority granted to officials to legally commit the state to a treaty-level agreement.

  51. 51.

    28 November 1988, Senate Hansard, 2967.

  52. 52.

    28 November 1988, Sue Neales “Treaty members carve up Antarctic” Financial Review, 13.

  53. 53.

    30 November 1988, letters from Richardson to Evans and from Richardson to Cook (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  54. 54.

    16 December 1988, letter from Cook to Richardson (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  55. 55.

    25 November 1988, press release “Greenpeace visits South Pole station” (AAD: 84/360-2). The US Antarctic Program reacted that “Australia could not be trusted”: 1 December 1988 “Report of events in McMurdo area” (AAD: 84/360-1).

  56. 56.

    30 November 1988, Senate Hansard, 3141. 30 November 1988, media release “Don’t lock out science from the Antarctic: Democrats” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 1).

  57. 57.

    18 January 1989, Warwick Smith letter to the editor “Mining the Antarctic” The Mercury, 14.

  58. 58.

    4 January 1989, Antarctic Division internal memorandum “Minerals Convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  59. 59.

    27 January 1989, Antarctic Division minute to ministerial adviser Michael Crawford “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  60. 60.

    May 1989, Argentine document informally circulated at the XV ATCM Preparatory Meeting “Report on the sinking of the Argentine polar ship ARA Bahia Paraiso” (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AR-377), part 1. “Argentine Ship Sinks near Palmer Station,” Antarctic Journal of the United States XXIV, no. 2 (1989). Mahlon C. Kennicutt, “Oil Spillage in Antarctica,” Environmental Science & Technology 24, no. 5 (1990).

  61. 61.

    Dave Gallas, The Last Voyage of the Bahia Paraiso (Blurb, 2015).

  62. 62.

    1 March 1989 “Research ship leaking oil in the Antarctic” The Advocate, 13. 6 March 1989, TPN Embassy of Peru “Report on the mishap of the Peruvian ship BIC Humboldt in Antarctica” (NAA: B1387 1981/468).

  63. 63.

    20 January 1989, PA72164 and CE66173 “Antarctica: French airstrip construction” (AAD: 81/346-3). “Britain Plans New Antarctic Airstrip,” New Scientist 121, no. 1648 (1989).

  64. 64.

    20 February 1989 “Scientists urge Antarctic ban on minerals” Canberra Times, 2.

  65. 65.

    24 February 1989 “A chilly protest on pollution” Sydney Morning Herald, 9.

  66. 66.

    8 March 1989, letter from Australian Mining Industry Council to Evans (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2). 13 March 1989, letters from Evans to Keating and from Evans to Cook (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  67. 67.

    17 March 1989, letter from John Heap, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office “XVth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (NAA: B1387 88/352). The Correspondents’ Group comprised representatives of Australia, Federal Republic of Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Letters were addressed by Heap to ‘colleagues’.

  68. 68.

    http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/frozen-asset%2D%2D-1989/2842018 (accessed 3 February 2021).

  69. 69.

    21 February 1989, facsimile message Antarctic Division to DFAT (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  70. 70.

    23 March 1989, draft submission for Cabinet “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  71. 71.

    29 March 1989, letter from Cook to Evans (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  72. 72.

    The new signatories were Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom.

  73. 73.

    12 April 1989, letter from Evans to Cook (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  74. 74.

    National Transportation Safety Board, “Grounding of US Tankship Exxon Valdez on Bligh Reef, Prince William Sound, near Valdez, Alaska, March 24 1989,” Marine Accident Report NTSB/MAR-90/04 (1990). Alaska Oil Spill Commission, Spill: The Wreck of the Exxon Valdez (Oil Spill Public Information Center, 1990).

  75. 75.

    May 1989, Argentine document informally circulated at the XV ATCM Preparatory Meeting “Report on the sinking of the Argentine polar ship ARA Bahia Paraiso” (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AR-377), part 2.

  76. 76.

    9 May 1989, ASOC Information Paper No 1 PREP ATCM XV/ASOC INF 1 “Implications of Alaskan oil spill for the Antarctic”. 13 May 1989, Greenpeace paper “Second thoughts on CRAMRA” (AAD: B13/192-2).

  77. 77.

    3 April 1989, PA73483 “Antarctica and the Cousteau Foundation” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 2).

  78. 78.

    6 April 1989, PA73569 “Antarctica: Minerals convention: French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  79. 79.

    “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities”, Art 62. The status of signatures is at: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/who-we-are/treaties/convention-on-the-regulation-of-antarctic-mineral-resource-activities/ (accessed 3 February 2021).

  80. 80.

    6 April 1989, House of Representatives Hansard, 1088–1090. Chynoweth had an ‘epiphany’ in Antarctica the previous summer: Peter Garrett, “Speech to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Hawke Government Initiative to Prevent Mining in Antarctica,” (Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney2009).

  81. 81.

    9 April 1989, transcript of Laurie Oakes’ interview, National Nine Network (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3). 12 April 1989, Senate Hansard, 1424–1443.

  82. 82.

    12 April 1989, brief to minister’s adviser “Minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  83. 83.

    12 April 1989, Cabinet Submission “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: 14039, 6415).

  84. 84.

    21 April 1989, PA73883 “Minerals convention: French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3). 20 April 1989 “Antarctic minerals convention: Rocard statement” (AU-ATADD-1-BB-FR-85).

  85. 85.

    22 April 1989, Andrew Darby “France calls for new negotiations on Antarctic treaty” The Age, 3.

  86. 86.

    26 April 1989, PA73944 “French attitude to minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/453 PART 1).

  87. 87.

    23 February 2020, “Saving Antarctica” The History Hour BBC World Service, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csypzz (accessed 6 April 2020), 1:20–10:20.

  88. 88.

    24 April 1989, transcript of radio program, Radio NZ Good Morning NZ (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  89. 89.

    25 April 1989, Ross Peake and Andrew Darby “Richardson says no to mining in Antarctica” The Age, 6.

  90. 90.

    24 April 1989, DASETT brief to David Tierney and Michael Crawford (Ministerial advisers) “Antarctic minerals convention—French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  91. 91.

    24 April 1989, WL36523 “Antarctic minerals convention: French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  92. 92.

    25 April 1989, ST24548 “Antarctica: Minerals convention: French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  93. 93.

    April 1989, handwritten note to file (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  94. 94.

    27 April 1989, letter from Keating to Hawke (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AU-196). The reference to a meeting in October 1988 is at odds with a later suggestion it was on 30 September—see Bramston, Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader, 318.

  95. 95.

    23 June 2016, anonymous personal communication. The discussion sought to dispel misinformation being put out by competing departments.

  96. 96.

    30 April 1989, Alan Fewster “Antarctic park finds an ally in Keating” Sunday Telegraph, 122.

  97. 97.

    29 April 1989, Ross Peake “Antarctic mining a blue, says Howard, suddenly tingeing green” The Age, 3. 29 April 1989, “Look to greenies: Howard” Canberra Times, 2.

  98. 98.

    30 April 1989, Monitair transcript of SBS News (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  99. 99.

    2 May 1989, media release Senator Chris Puplick, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Arts “Protection of the Antarctic and the climate of planet earth” (AU-ATADD-1-BB-AU-197).

  100. 100.

    3 May 1989, Senate Hansard, 1647–1669. 3 May 1989, Keith Scott “Antarctica in delay basket” Canberra Times, 4.

  101. 101.

    4 May 1989, Keith Scott “Keating backs world park for Antarctica” Canberra Times, 10. 5 May 1989, “Keating calls for ‘world park’ for Antarctica” Sydney Morning Herald, 6.

  102. 102.

    5 May 1989, Ross Dunn “Hawke wavers on Antarctic treaty” Australian Financial Review, 5.

  103. 103.

    4 May 1989, letter Cook to Hawke (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  104. 104.

    5 May 1989, CE712285 “Antarctica: Minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  105. 105.

    5 May 1989, Susan Houweling “Hawke supports mining ban for fragile Antarctic” The Australian, 3.

  106. 106.

    7 May 1989, facsimile draft “Recommendations” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  107. 107.

    “The Antarctic Treaty,” https://documents.ats.aq/keydocs/vol_1/vol1_2_AT_Antarctic_Treaty_e.pdf. Art 12.2(a) provides for a possible review conference 30 years after the Treaty’s entry into force of the Treaty, that is, any time after 23 June 1991. May 1989 “Brief for the Australian Delegation to the Preparatory Meeting for the XVth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, Paris, 9–13 May 1989” (AAD: B13/192-2), 9–10.

  108. 108.

    May 1989 “Brief for the Australian Delegation to the Preparatory Meeting for the XVth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, Paris, 9–13 May 1989” (AAD: B13/192-2), 12.

  109. 109.

    8 May 1989, CH538155 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  110. 110.

    Bowden, The Silence Calling: Australians in Antarctica 1947–1997, 413–14.

  111. 111.

    8 May 1989, transcript of interview, Radio New Zealand Midday Report (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). 9 May 1989 “Palmer plans Antarctic treaty” The Dominion (New Zealand).

  112. 112.

    May 1989, PREP/WP/1 “Information paper, presented by the Delegation of Chile” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). Chile was concerned about increasing Antarctic activities and recent accidents.

  113. 113.

    May 1989, “ATCM XV—Prep” (AWJ personal notes), 46. 9 May 1989, PA74190 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  114. 114.

    10 May 1989, PA74208 “Antarctica: Preparatory meeting for ATCM XV Paris 9–13 May” Report No 1″ (NAA: B1387 88/352). The competing proposals reflected public concern about the Dumont d’Urville airstrip, the wreck of the Bahia Paraiso, waste handling at McMurdo, marine pollution and the impacts of tourism.

  115. 115.

    10 May 1989, PA74206 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  116. 116.

    11 May 1989, Craig Emerson “Record of conversation between Prime Minister Hawke and French Prime Minister Rocard” (AAD: B13/199). Emerson was Hawke’s economics adviser.

  117. 117.

    11 May 1989, “Caucus in move for Antarctic mine ban” The Australian. 12 May 1989, “ALP turns on Antarctic mining” The Age.

  118. 118.

    May 1989, “Comprehensive environmental protection measures” (AWJ personal notes), 46.

  119. 119.

    11 May 1989, PREP/WP/14 (Australia) “A Working Paper concerning a comprehensive scheme of protection for the Antarctic environment” (AU-ATADD-3-BB-AQ-188).

  120. 120.

    11 May 1989, PA74240 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  121. 121.

    14 May 1989, PA74259 “Preparatory meeting: Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/352).

  122. 122.

    12 May 1989, “ATCM XV—Prep” (AWJ personal notes), 37.

  123. 123.

    12 May 1989, “ATCM XV—Prep” (AWJ personal notes), 38–39.

  124. 124.

    Heap’s remarks were subsequently circulated. See 25 May 1989, LH75190 “Antarctica: UK statement at Paris Preparatory Meeting” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 2).

  125. 125.

    May 1989, “ATCM XV—Prep” (AWJ personal notes), 38.

  126. 126.

    5 June 1989, Andrew Jackson “Report on overseas visit” (NAA: B1387 88/352).

  127. 127.

    Host governments of international meetings prefer to be seen as neutral.

  128. 128.

    12 May 1989, PA74254 “Antarctic minerals convention: French views” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  129. 129.

    11 May 1989, PA74238 “Antarctic: Minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  130. 130.

    12 May 1989, Peter Heyward handwritten minute “Minerals Cab Sub” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  131. 131.

    12 May 1989, letter from Hawke to Keating (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  132. 132.

    May 1989, United Kingdom non-paper “Protection of the Antarctic environment” (AAD: B13/192-2). The terms of reference as drafted were limited to reviewing existing measures and gap-filling.

  133. 133.

    “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities,” Art 63.

  134. 134.

    16 May 1989, letter from Hawke to Rocard. Reproduced in: August 1989, “Australia/France Joint Working Group on the Environment and Antarctica 7–9 August 1989, First Meeting Antarctic Brief” (AAD: B13/199).

  135. 135.

    19 May 1989, PA74387 “Antarctica letter from the Prime Minister” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  136. 136.

    19 May 1989, PA74390 “Antarctica letter from the Prime Minister” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). The French officials’ denial was odd as Rocard emphatically agreed when Jacques Cousteau said, “industrial development should be banned, purely and simply, and only research permitted”. 21 April 1989, PA73883 “Minerals convention: French position” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  137. 137.

    17 May 1989, Mike Seccombe “Govt likely to reject Antarctic mine plan” Sydney Morning Herald, 3. 17 May 1989, Ross Peake and Caroline Milburn “Cabinet likely to veto Antarctic mining” The Age, 5.

  138. 138.

    19 May 1989, DASETT submission to minister “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). 15 May 1989, transcript of Radio 2CN “Radio interview with Senator Richardson” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). 16 May 1989, Pilita Clark “Richardson wavers on Antarctic Treaty” Sydney Morning Herald, 4.

  139. 139.

    18 May 1989, Chris Puplick media release “Government dragging its flippers on Antarctica” (NAA: B1387 88/893 PART 3).

  140. 140.

    26 April 1989, Phillip Law “Developers would but scratch Antarctica” The Age, 10–11.

  141. 141.

    17 May 1989, Phillip Law, letter to the editor “Proposal for Antarctic World Park is just ‘pie in the sky’” The Age, 12. 18 May 1989, Phillip Law, letter to the editor “Warning on Antarctica” The Australian, 12.

  142. 142.

    17 May 1989, draft Cabinet Submission “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  143. 143.

    18 May 1989, Attorney-General’s Department paper “World Park” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  144. 144.

    19 May 1989, DASETT submission to minister “Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1). Whether the Antarctic Division required more staff was addressed in a June 1989 Parliamentary inquiry. Parliament of Australia Joint Committee of Public Accounts, Report 297: Management of the Antarctic Division (AGPS, 1989), 44.

  145. 145.

    18 May 1989, CH539595 “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  146. 146.

    20 May 1989, Cabinet Submission corrigendum “Antarctic minerals convention: Further developments” (NAA: 14039, 6506).

  147. 147.

    19 May 1989, Robin Bromby “Battle for the last frontier” The Australian, 13. Ian Anderson, “Antarctic Minerals Deal Heads for Rocks,” New Scientist, no. 20 May 1989 (1989). 22 May 1989, D. Lyons, letters to the Editor “Minerals convention is best safeguard” The Age, 12.

  148. 148.

    22 May 1989, Suzanne Houweling “Cabinet to say no to Antarctic mining treaty” The Australian, 1. The leaked copy contained verbatim the recommendations of the 17 May 1989 penultimate draft of the submission. See 17 May 1989, draft Cabinet Submission “Antarctic minerals convention” (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  149. 149.

    22 May 1989, letter David Lange to Bob Hawke (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 4).

  150. 150.

    22 May 1989, Cabinet Decision 12638 Amended (NAA: 14039, 6415).

  151. 151.

    This part of the decision is asterisked as “amended” to reflect officials’ advice on world park options and Cabinet’s decision not to pursue the concept. See 22 May 1989, Cabinet Minute 12639 “Memorandum No 6507—Antarctica—Possible World Park” (NAA: 14039, 6507).

  152. 152.

    22 May 1989, Cabinet Decision 12638 Amended (NAA: 14039, 6415).

  153. 153.

    22 May 1989 Prime Minister “Transcript of Joint News Conference” http://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00007608.pdf (accessed 28 January 2021).

  154. 154.

    Robert J. L. Hawke, The Hawke Memoirs (William Heinemann, 1994), 468–69.

  155. 155.

    Bowden, The Silence Calling: Australians in Antarctica 1947–1997, 414.

  156. 156.

    22 May 1989, Parliamentary Library Media Information, Current Awareness and Hansard Service. Transcript of ABC TV 7.30 Report (NAA: B1387 89/311 PART 1).

  157. 157.

    22 May 1989 Prime Minister “Protection of the Antarctic environment” http://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00007607.pdf (accessed 3 February 2021).

  158. 158.

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    Andrew Jackson

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Jackson, A. (2021). Doubts About CRAMRA: June 1988 to May 1989. In: Who Saved Antarctica? . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78405-8_4

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