PM Transcripts

MEETING WITH-S'FEEL1 WORKERS p: H/ ww.. nla. gov. ati/ piic/ pressrel/ lhp3. litmil
MEETING WITH STEELWORKERS/ 7 2
UNION DELEGATES NEWCASTLE
This morning I met a delegation of Newcastle steelworker union representatives to discuss BI-P's
announcement regarding the Newcastle steelworks.
The delegation was led by Maurie Rudd, the Australian Workers Union Branch Secretary for
Newcastle and Northern Regions.
It was an opportunity for me to hear at first hand of the social and economic impact of BHP's
announcement on the Hunter Region. I appreciated the forthrightness of the delegates in describing
the effects on families and the local community generally.
I have agreed to the suggestion by Maurie Rudd that a high level Prime Ministerial Taskforce be
established consisting of local community representatives to advise the Federal Government on the
implications of any closure for thle local community. The Taskforce will report directly to me and will
provide the Federal Government with direct feedback from the community in a non-party political way
on issues affecting the region. Further details of the composition of the Taskforce will be announced
shortly. I told the delegation that I will be visiting the Newcastle steelworks site as part of my visit to the
Hunter region in the near future.
29 May 1997
Return to Statements I of 06/ 30/ 97 17: 27: 52