PM Transcripts

FOR PRE~ SS; P. M. No 41/ 1972*'
CONS IDERATrION OF AUSTRALIAN WOOL INDUSTRY C0ONFERE~ NCE PROPOSALS
Statement by the Prime minister, The Rt THon. William
I. ZC., hon, C. H. M. P.
The Government toaay had a long and detailed discussion
of the wide range of issues raised by the Australian Wool Indu~ stry
Conference in its re * port on proposed marketing change in the
Australian wool induStry.
It had before it a nreliminar-. 1 report of the : Randall
Committee. This Committee, con~ stituted of senior representatives
from the Departments of the Prime Minister, Trade and Industry,
Treasury and Primary Industry, under the chairmanship of the former
Secretary to the Treasury, Sir Richard Randall, was commissioned to
undertake comprehensive examination of thc-Wool Industry in all its
aspects. In view of the expected receipt of the final report of
that Committee within two weeks, it was decided that no decision
should be taken to introduce legislative changes for the 1972/ 73
Wool Selling Season before the final report of the Committee had
been considered. While no decision has yet been taken on the A. W. I. C.
proposals, the Government will be considering the Randall Committee
report before the commencement of the next wool sel~ ling scason and
advising the industry of its decision.
This will mean the continuation of PAP for the next pool
period commencing on 1st July next.
The decision will of course in no way affect the
maintenance of support given to the industry at 79.37c per kg.
average ( 36c per lb) during the present wool selling season.
CANBERRA, 2 May, 1972.