E&OE...........
JOURNALIST:
The issue of AMP…[Inaudible]
PRIME MINISTER:
No, I haven't spoken to anybody. I';m not ringing up companies telling them what to do. I make speeches and express my view. I welcome companies that are giving a lead but I';m not going to start ringing up individual managing directors telling them how to run their companies.
JOURNALIST:
[Inaudible]
PRIME MINISTER:
My opinion is what you heard a moment ago.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, how do you think the Liberals are travelling in South Australia? There has been criticism. I think you have, in fact, criticised them in the recent past over the court of disputed returns here, are you happy with things here?
PRIME MINISTER:
I think we're doing brilliantly here in South Australia as far as the Federal Government is concerned. We have outstanding Cabinet ministers, we hold a record number of seats. Look, it's tough at a State level and when you lose an election despite the fact that you get more votes than the other side it's always a bit of a let down but given the difficulties of the early months of Opposition we're doing well.
JOURNALIST:
Should the Opposition pursue the man who delivered government to the Labor Party or should we get on…
PRIME MINISTER:
That was a decision taken by the State organisation and I don't have anything to add.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, you're going to visit a stem cell research project in just a few minutes, why is it important for you to go there, what are you hoping to find out?
PRIME MINISTER:
I think it's always a good idea to learn more about the technical sides of medical research and it's a debate at the moment that's going on in the national Parliament. It's a very important issue. They're having a very good debate. There's strong views on both sides. I've got a view, I support the bill, I introduced it and I hope it goes through. But I want to learn more about the issue and this afternoon is part of that.
JOURNALIST:
Are you confident that the bill will go through?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, the indications at the moment are quite good but I don't want to pre-empt the other stages of the debate. It is a free vote and I respect the range of views that exist within the Parliament and within my own party.
JOURNALIST:
Would you urge those who don't agree with you to at least take the time, as you're doing, and go and visit a stem cell research centre?
PRIME MINISTER:
Look, I';m sure that my close colleagues who have a different view from me on this have given the matter a great deal of thought and I respect that and I don't have any gratuitous advice to offer them.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, the State Government's threatening to pull resources out of Woomera if the Federal Government doesn't stop criticising its efforts. Is there something that you can do to…
PRIME MINISTER:
Stop criticising what?
JOURNALIST:
It's efforts. Philip Ruddock criticised the State Government's handling of children in Woomera this week in Federal Parliament…
PRIME MINISTER:
I don't think State governments should play games with an important issue like border security.
[ends]