Adelaide, Australia – Monday, 3 July 2000: Today, the IWMC Conservation Trust President, Mr Eugene Lapointe stated that he was extremely disappointed with Senator Robert Hill’s opening address to the 52nd International Whaling Commission Conference (IWC) in Adelaide.

“Senator Hill has missed a golden opportunity to clearly outline an attempt this week to complete a global management plan for the regulation of sustainable whaling and the conservation of whale species," he said.

“The Trust is disheartened that Senator Hill appears to have turned the 52nd IWC into a personal crusade for a South Pacific Sanctuary at the expense of a sustainable and manageable way forward," he said.

“Despite Senator Hill’s musings about whaling, the Australian Government’s opposition to allowing the IWC to complete work on a global management plan to bring all whaling efforts under international regulation has been hijacked by emotional and often-irrational influences," Mr Lapointe said.

An independent public opinion survey conducted by the US-based international polling firm Responsive Management found 53 percent of Australians support regulated and sustainable management of the abundant minke whale population for food and sustenance.

The poll also surveyed public opinion in the United Kingdom (61 percent in favour), France (63 percent in favour) and the United States (71 percent in favour).

A subsequent survey conducted in 1999 by Yale University, and supported by the staunchly anti-whaling NGO, the Humane Society of the United States, verified the accuracy of the Responsive Management opinion poll.

“Australia is a nation of staunchly independent people with a strong tradition of responding, in times of crisis with their lives to help their fellow humans."

“Why can’t the Australian Government understand that IWC’s dual mandate of regulating whaling and conserving whale species can be met to the benefit of whales and humans alike?" 

“Protecting wildlife and their fellow human beings is very much in keeping with the Australian way of life,” said Mr Lapointe.�