Membership of Working Groups

Membership of the working groups was comprised of representatives from government, industry, unions, consumer/social welfare organisations and conservation groups. In addition there were a few academics and CSIRO scientists. The groups were, however, dominated by bureaucrats from the federal government, particularly those from development-oriented departments such as the Department of Primary Industries and Energy (DPIE) which also provided the secretariat for the working groups. Of the 131 members of working groups only nine were women (Lothian 1992).

Admission was limited to representatives of recognised interest groups who had faith in the process. Environmentalists were therefore represented by two mainstream environmental groups, The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). These groups were provided with finances by the Commonwealth Government to enable them to participate fully. Greenpeace Australia pulled out of the process after the government signalled its intention to pass resource security legislation which would guarantee companies access to natural resources in some areas. Other environmental groups were not invited or chose not to take part.

	Professor Stuart Harris chaired the Working Groups on Manufacturing, Mining and Energy Production. He is Professor, Department of International Relations in the Research School of Pacific Studies at the Australian National University.He has an extensive research background and has held important posts in academic institutions and the public service. Professor Harris was previously Director of the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at the Australian National University, and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
	Professor David Throsby chaired the Transport, Tourism and Energy Use Working Groups. He is Professor of Economics at Macquarie University. He has wide experience as resource economist and has acted as a consultant to a number of major international organisations, including the FAO, UNESCO, and World Bank, and many State, Federal Government and private sector catagories
	Dr Roy Green chaired the Working Groups on Agriculture,Fisheries and Forestry. He has been Director of the CSIRO Institue of Natural Resources and Environment since January 1988. Prior to that he has had wide experience in industry and government. Previous major appointments have included Secretary to thc Australian Science and Technology Council, Dcputy Secretary of the Department of Science and Executive Advisor in the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce.

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