Australia and Antarctica

Abstract

1. The Australian stand. Late in 1983, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bill Hayden, went to press in strong and unequivocal defence of the Antarctic Treaty System. Speaking at the 12th Antarctic Consultative Meeting in Canberra, Mr. Hayden stated: "We believe that any attempt to nego- tiate a new international agreement on Antarctica or to re-negotiate parts of the Treaty would be likely to introduce uncertainty and instability into a region of hitherto unparalleled international co- operation". Supported by the Soviet Union and the United States of America, Mr. Hayden's warning was in reference to a move within the United Nations General Assembly to debate a claim that Antarctica should be accessible to all nations, not just Treaty members, and that its resources belong to all mankind. The proposed debate was the result of a Malay- sian initiative taken at the U.N. a year previously, and followed through at the 7th Conference of Non-Aligned Countries in March 1983.