Nauru accuses N.Z., Aust., Britain of negligence

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 27

Nauru accuses N.Z., Aust., Britain of negligence

NZPA-AAP Yaren, Nauru New Zealand, Australia and Britain have been accused of negligence towards the people of the phosphate-rich central Pacific island nation of Nauru.

The allegation was made by a Nauruian witness at a Commission of Inquiry into Nauru’s future when the phosphate runs out within the next decade.

It is investigating whether the environmental damage caused by more than 50 years of phosphate mining by the British Phosphate Commission — involving Britain, Australia and New- Zealand — can be repaired, and who should

pay. The fourth session of sittings on rehabilitation began with evidence by Tony Audoa, a member of the Nauru Parliament and legal officer in the Nauru Justice Department Mr Audoa said: "The people and farmers of Australia, New Zealand and Britain have lived off and enjoyed the quality of Nauru phosphate. “It is only right and fair and humanitarian to ask them now to contribute to the rehabilitation of the island.”

Mr Audoa went on: “The land now consists of nothing but pinnacles (of rock remaining after removal of the phosphate). "I cannot evetf’walk on

it “I cannot build a home for myself or my children, or develop it for agricultural purposes.” He compared the way in which Australia, as administering authority, had treated Papua New Guinea. He said there had been no benefit for Nauru in terms of development “After independence,

the Government of New , Guinea was given valuable buildings once owned by the Australian Government, such as the broadcasting station and the library,” Mr Audoa said. “All Nauru got from Australia was a mace for parliament, and from New Zealand a drinking jug.” 5

The commission is chaired by Professor Chris Weeramantry, of Monash University in Melbourne, who said at the first session in February that all countries which had shared in the administration of Nauru before its independence in 1968 should co-operate in the proceedings. Australia administered

Nauru under a League of Nations mandate from 1920 to 1968, when Nauru bought out the British Phosphate Commission for SA2I million. Most recent commission sittings were, in Melbourne last month, “