Senator EGGLESTON —I have a question for the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Hill.

Senator Faulkner —Well, ask it.

Senator EGGLESTON —I will. Would the minister inform the Senate of international recognition of the Howard government's efforts to protect and restore our natural environment? Would the minister also indicate what role Australia will play in celebrating next year's World Environment Day?

Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) —I thank the honourable senator for that important question. It was interesting to listen to the opinions expressed yesterday by Dr Thomas Lovejoy, the chief adviser to the World Bank on biodiversity issues. His comments contrast sharply with the hysterical claims and allegations that we are used to hearing from the ALP, the Greens and some of the old wing of the environment movement in Australia. These groups continually attempt to smear Australia's reputation, both at home and abroad. In doing so they denigrate the efforts of tens of thousands of Australians who are involved in the hands-on work of protecting and restoring our environment. The picture from Dr Lovejoy, an internationally renowned biodiversity expert, is somewhat different. Dr Lovejoy told the Press Club:

I take real heart in some of the things I have ran across on this trip, namely the new biodiversity law, which may not be perfect but goes a long way to addressing some of the things that need to be addressed.

I hope you take note, Senator Bolkus. What a pity it is that the Labor Party, Senator Brown and some of the old guard Green groups chose to attack this new law so savagely, simply for political purposes. Here we have a world export saying that the government is on the right track. Dr Lovejoy went on to say:

I think some of the work that Australia is doing in looking at the marine environment, strict protection and management way out into the zone of economic interest, are probably leading efforts globally. You also have, I think, the leading activity in the world in Landcare in restoring degraded lands.

So that is a big tick for the Howard government's new oceans policy and a big tick for our increased support for Landcare made possible through the Natural Heritage Trust. Dr Lovejoy also said:

Australia is clearly a world leader in the science of biodiversity, including the work of the Australian Biological Resources Study. If there is any country that is going to be there generating excitement at the age of biological exploration, it will be Australia.

The ABRS was, of course, established by the Fraser government. In this year alone, we are committing almost $4 million to its continued work. It is therefore clear from the words of such people as Dr Lovejoy that Australia's environment efforts are world class and the international community is showing its recognition of our strong performance.

Next year, Australia will host the 50th meeting of the International Whaling Commission and continue our push for a global whale sanctuary. We will host an international Landcare conference in Melbourne in April of next year, which will be a world first and enable us to project leading environmental matters to the international community. As further proof of our high standing, next year we will host the World Environment Day celebrations under the banner of the United Nations Environment Programme, which will give a unique opportunity for Australians to project their fine international standing in this area. There will be the opportunity for Australians to join together to project to the international community what we are doing so well in the environment and to show the international leadership what we seek to do.