Warning to lobby groups about environmental decisions

18/3/93

Environment Minister Kevin Minson has warned conservation and mining lobby groups that he will not be dictated to by either of them.

He said today that all judgements he made would be on the best scientific and technical advice available.

"They will be the right decisions for the right reasons," Mr Minson said.

"Issues will be decided on their merits and in the best interests of the State.

"I am not interested in confrontationist politics but intend to be straight and honest with all groups but I will not be owned by any of them.  After all, this Government is about restoring confidence in the State."

Mr Minson's warning comes after meetings with many different groups and after he had personally investigated Conservation Council allegations that Department of Conservation and Land Management scientists were censored when preparing scientific publications.

He interviewed the seven scientists involved and after they were offered ministerial protection, Mr Minson said they all had the same story.  He dismissed the allegations.

However, Mr Minson said he would give the same ministerial protection to any officer in any of his departments who felt their scientific work was being censored as opposed to peer review.

"All seven scientists interviewed were satisfied with the peer review process and denied there had been any improper or unnecessary censorship of the three scientific papers as alleged by the Conservation Council," the Minister said.

"In fact most of the authors said the Conservation Council's allegations were mischievous."

Mr Minson said the allegations had even been reported in the international journal, 'New Scientist'.

"I am gravely concerned that the Western Australian Government's reputation for scientific integrity and sound environmental management has been unduly and mischievously damaged on an international scale by these unfounded allegations," he said.

Details of the allegations have been referred to the Crown Law Department for advice.

Mr Minson said he had also contacted former New Guinea judge Tos Barnett who, in a report to then environment minister Jim McGinty, was critical of CALM's management of the South-West forests.

He said Mr Barnett had confirmed that none of the authors of the three scientific papers had spoken to him about alleged censorship of their work nor had he inquired into it.

Mr Minson warned all groups that it was imperative that he receive credible scientific advice from them if they were to have any input into the decision-making process.

He said it was vital that advice offered was accurate if the groups wanted to be taken seriously.

He urged Western Australians to retain their confidence in CALM's ability to manage the forests.

He also assured CALM scientists that they would continue to receive his support providing that at all times their research and management of WA's resources was conducted with integrity and due diligence.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595