FOR PRESS: P. MI. No. 115/ 1970
COMMONWEALTH'S OFFER ON RURAL RECONSTRUCTION
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
There is no need for a Premiers' Conference on the offer made
by the Commonwealth to tackle the problem of rural reconstruction,
farm adjustment, and retraining of farmers who decide to leave the land.
This is a Commonwealth initiative and a Commonwealth offer
aimed at helping the rural community in all States. If-the Government of
any State does not wish to join in that scheme, or to accept that offer,
that is a matter for the Government a! that State to explain to the rural
community in that State. Those States which do accept the offer can proceed
with the scheme. It is untrue to say that yesterday's meeting of Ministers was abortive.
There was unamimous agreement by all Ministers present on the basic princip]
of the Commonwealth approach as set out in the press release, and
Commonwealth and State officers met in Canberra today to begin discussions
on the details of proposals.
Furthermore, the Commonwealth does not want the States " to
guarantee the financial aspects of a scheme which it promotec.
It does want a State, if it agrees to administer the scheme within
a framework laid down by the Commonwealth, to accept responsibility
for loss if that loss results from a State's faulty administration of monies
provided by the Commonwealth.
CANBERRA 11 December 1970
Gorton, John
Period of Service: 10/01/1968 - 10/03/1971
Find more information on Gorton, John on the:
Release Date:
11/12/1970
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2333
Document:
00002333.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Gorton, John Grey
COMMONWEALTH'S OFFER ON RURAL RECONSTRUCTION - COMMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN GORTON
2333