E&OE................................................................................................
JOURNALIST:
What are you hoping to achieve in New Zealand?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, just a further...a reinforcement of a very close bilateral
relationship. There's a standing arrangement between the Prime
Ministers of Australia and New Zealand that we should meet each year.
Mrs Shipley came to Australia shortly after taking over as Prime Minister
last year. I have seen her on a number of...at a number of international
meetings but we have a very strong bilateral relationship. We will
obviously talk about APEC because New Zealand will be in the Chair
at APEC this year. It will be held in New Zealand so we will want
to work very closely with the New Zealanders to ensure that the APEC
momentum is regathered and maintained because the goals of APEC are
still very important to the region.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, why won't anyone from the Government now meet with
Gerry Adams?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, I am not aware of any developments this morning.
JOURNALIST:
Well, Mr Downer was planning to meet him in transit but it's
not clear whether that is going to happen. Isn't that a bit of
a snub?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, look you should ask Mr Downer about his meeting arrangements.
I don't carry the diaries of my colleagues around my pockets
aren't big enough.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, the revelation that Mr McGauran has made a further repayment,
why was that kept secret until now?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, I am not aware of the details of that.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, are you concerned about the further breakdown of the Yugoslavian
peace talks?
PRIME MINISTER:
I think the whole world would hold its breath and hope that there
will be no need for force to be used. But the stance taken by NATO
is entirely reasonable, completely reasonable. And I think the attitude
being taken by the Yugoslav Government, by Milosevic, is unreasonable
and I think one must hope that at five minutes to midnight he will
take a more consideratory attitude because the demands made by NATO
have our total support.
JOURNALIST:
But of course they have ordered more troop movements into the area
this weekend because of the breakdown in those talks and President
Clinton has now added his word saying that NATO means business. Will
you be....what sort of a watching brief are you keeping on it?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, very close. I totally support the stance that has been taken
by NATO. I am pleased that NATO has assumed the leadership role on
this issue. That is a very welcome development and I guess like others
I hope that at the last moment there will be common sense prevailing.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, business is calling for a shift in your immigration policies.
Are you willing to listen to their arguments.....
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, I always consider sensible arguments but it's the Government's
view that the present immigration mix is right, it's appropriate
for Australia's economic and social circumstances. We have shifted
away from an undue emphasis on family reunion to a much greater emphasis
on skilled and business migration and that's been good for Australia.
I am quite happy for there to be a debate. I don't think the
issue is one where a sudden shift in policy makes sense but I am prepared
to listen to argument. But I emphasise that we have got the balance
right. Thank you.
[ends]