EiMBA RGC: Not for relhease until 7. 15 pm ( FS? TE R's
Senate Campaign 19; 67
NA TIO_ DNAL COA DC AST BY TH E FP IME
MINISTE3: ( MR HAIRCLD HCLT)
Friday, ICth November, 1c, 7
"' Following is the text of the first of a series of National Broadcasts to
be made by the Prime Minister, Mr Holt, during the Senate campaign.
This talk will be relayed over the ABC's netwo-rk at 7. 15 this evening
This Senate election differs from a general election for
the House of Represenatives. The general election decides who is to
govern A ustralia, and the next general elect ion is not due, in the normal
course, until 1969. Bu* you will be hearing a lot about policy from our
opponents. Years ago, elections were regarded by many people as
a policy auction. The theory was the bigger the promises you made, the
bigger the vote you were likely to get. The Australian electorate of today
is more mature and knowledgeable. But rhe Labor Party has not yet
appreciated this fact. From time to time, 3ince we came into office first
in 1949, the Labor Party has presented you, the electors, with a
fantastic set of promises. In 1966, Mr Calwell made the sky the limit.
But you, the electors, were not duped by this.
You recognised tht even a smsible and practical domestic
programme, directed to national growth and social welfare, lacks reality
unless it is set in the framnework of a foreign policy cementing our security.
We have yet to hear the Labor Party offer us the kind of domestic
programme that could be carried out without the prospect of serious
inflation, without oppressive taxation and without discouraging private
enterprise and private enterprise still provides three out of every four
jobs in Australia. And what about national security? Here the ALP is bogged
down under prejudice and isolationism. It shows no reality about
Australia's position in a dangerous world.
We of the Government have put first things first.
We believe we have correctly analysed where the threats to our security
lie. We have made friendships and treaties with countries and people
who also recognise these threats.
But we have not neglected either national growth or
social welfare. We have helped build this country to its present stability
and strength. There are many outside Australia who envy us. The
progress of our economy has been steady and sure. We enjoy one of the
highest standards of living in the world, and there is virtually no limit
to our potential if we go about this in the right way.
Since the elections of last year, we have been giving
speedy effect to our policy undertakings. We have, in fact, been doing
a great deal more than that in the area of national development. This
makes impressive reading: Legislation to cover the discovery of offshore
oil and gas, the provision of an additional $ 50 million for beef
roads in Northern Australia, great water projects on the Ord River / 2
-2-
in Western Australia and the Nogoa Dam in Queensland.
I mention these here to emphasise that we regard policymaking
as a continuing process not limited to what is said at election
times. In opening the present campaign, I Illustrated our forward
thinking on education and national health. We look to the future, we
move steadily towards cur social objectives but our planning Is always
based on what we, and you as taxpayers, can reasonably affcrd and what
the national economy can accommodate.
We are following the course we charted a year ago. We
do not believe you want us to deviate from it.
Candidates for the Senate who believe that the role of that
chamber is to take the business of the country out of the hands of a
government you have elected, carry vanity to the point of arrogance
and absurdity. When the fsenate has the numbers to defeat the government
of the day on party lines; when It tries to usurp the role of the House of
Representatives, the effectiveness of government must be hampered.
The issues confronting Australia today are large and
critical. Too large and too critical to permit of confusions and
uncertainties from a Senate where the government you have chosen could
be compelled by the vote In this Senate campaign to remain indefinitely in a
minority.