E&OE.............................................................................................
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, are you any closer to an agreement with the Democrats?
PRIME MINISTER:
We had another long discussion today, and the discussions today as
yesterday were constructive and we're going to resume our discussions
on Monday morning in Canberra. And it's been agreed between us that
while these discussions go on resumption of the debate in the Senate
on the tax legislation will not occur.
JOURNALIST:
[inaudible]
PRIME MINISTER:
That really asks me to make a comment on what's happened and I don't
intend to do that. I'm sorry to disappoint you all but I'm to confine
myself on the subject of taxation to simply saying that we have had
another lengthy and constructive discussion. The conversations have
been cordial and frank, and all of those things and we're going to
talk again on Monday.
JOURNALIST:
Were you happy with the way the talks have gone?
PRIME MINISTER:
They have been constructive and cordial, and we're going to resume
them on Monday morning Peter.
JOURNALIST:
Does that mean some progress has been made Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER:
It means what I said.
JOURNALIST:
[inaudible] some changes Prime Minister? Would any changes need to
go to a party room meeting?
JOURNALIST:
How long's the legislation on hold?
PRIME MINISTER:
While the discussions go on we won't resume debate on the legislation.
JOURNALIST:
[inaudible]
PRIME MINISTER:
Nah.
JOURNALIST:
You can't put it on hold forever though can you Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER:
Oh come on. We're getting into the realm of the absurd now. Any other
questions on another subject? I beg your pardon?
JOURNALIST:
[inaudible]
PRIME MINISTER:
I couldn't hear that.
JOURNALIST:
Are you optimistic [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER:
Look I'm not going to start using those words. I find them sort of
pointless expressions to use at this stage. We're having a discussion
and that discussion is resuming on Monday.
JOURNALIST:
Senator Lees says [inaudible] still not negotiable. What are your
thoughts on that?
PRIME MINISTER:
I don't have anything to add to what I've said.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, is it your understanding that Senator Lees [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER:
Glenn, with the exception of the Labor Party I always make it a practice
not to comment on the internal workings of other parties.
JOURNALIST:
Senator Lees said that the Government had put some options on the
table, I think they were her words. Can you outline those?
PRIME MINISTER:
No, no, no, no. I'm not going to outline anything other than to say
what I've said. Now if you've got a question on another subject I'll
answer. If not I'll go back inside.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, I've got a question on another subject. There was a picture
of Tony Staley in The Telegraph today with Mr Keating's former business
partner. How do you read that picture, and what are you going to....
PRIME MINISTER:
I've seen a rather imperfect facsimile of it.
JOURNALIST:
Does it concern you that a party figure was pictured in this way,
and what are you going to do about an inquiry and when are you going
to do it?
PRIME MINISTER:
Michelle, for heaven's sake. The last thing I do....I've got far
more to preoccupy my time with then, you know, getting a report card
from the Federal President of the Party as to who he has a cappuccino
with in the autumn sun of Sydney. He can have a cappuccino with anybody
he likes. As for the question of the inquiry, our position remains
as I stated it before - we don't intend to conduct a political witch-hunt
on Mr Keating. We will examine the matter on the merits and thus far
there's been no decision taken to hold an inquiry. But I continue
to get advice from the Attorney-General on the subject.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, what's your response to the New South Wales' drugs summit
recommendation to shooting houses, [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER:
I'm not convinced that that will achieve the objectives we all have
in common, and that is to reduce drug addiction. I'm not convinced
of that. I felt that the drugs summit was pressured, you might even
say politically verballed by what occurred in Kings Cross in the weeks
that led up to it. I'm unconvinced and I hope that the New South Wales
Premier remains unconvinced. But that is a matter for him. He's the
Premier of New South Wales, it's a State matter. I have no control
over it but if you want my opinion, I'm quite happy to give it to
you. Thank you.
[Ends]