THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1973
ACTING PRIME MINISTER: Today the Cabinet considered a number of
submissions and the first one was on recreation leave and maternity
leave. The Cabinet gave further consideration today to papers
prepared for us which raised issues requiring clarification before
our earlier decisions on an additional week's recreation leave for
Commonwealth staff and maternity leave for them can be implemented.
On recreation leave the principle is that the additional week's leave
is to be restricted basically to members of a union whether registered
or otherwise, that is recognised by the Australian Council of Trade
Unions. As previously announced, provision will be made fbor
consciencious objectors who will be expected to pay an amount
equivalent to union membership fees to consolidated revenue with
the Industrial Registrar determining when an individual may make
such a payment. There are some complex legal issues requiring
resolution for aspects of the principle of four weeks annual leave
are decided and the Cabinet has referred them to the Welfare
Committee for study and report. A similar situation applies to
maternity leave where a particular question raised was how the rules
for servants of the Australian Government are to be brought into
conformity with the relevant I. L. O. convention. The issues relating
to maternity leave have also been referred to the Welfare Committee
for examination and report to Cabinet.
Probably one of the most important decisions that was made
today was the decision to give effect to the recommendations of the
Woodward Committee. You remember that this Committee was set up to
examine pay, conditions and allowances for serving members of the
Armed Forces. It sought the development of a cogent remuneration
policy to meet the needs of modern-day defence forces within the
framework of widely accepted wage fixing principles and community
wage standards; secondly, the total abandonment of the present
incomprehensible system and the introduction of a completely new
and simplified pay structure which will clearly show its real
meaning and value. 3. The adoption of the concept of commitment
to service to life and financial recognition of the obligations
accepted by members resulting from commitment through the provision
of a continuing allowance of $ 750 a year together with a series of
additional allowances to meet particular circumstances which arise
from time to time ( for example) separation of a member from his
family. Comparisons between rates of pay before and after the
Woodward Report cannot readily be made. The position of each
individual member will be different depending on whether he is
married or single; and because of the abolition of tax-exempt
elements in pay his income tax commitments. I must stress that
the new structure of service pay is a complete replacement of and
entirely different from the old structure. I draw your close
attention to the Report from which the difficulty of making ready,
accurate comparisons will be clear. However, except for some junior
officers who will now pay more for their rations and quarters,
noone will suffer a decrease in pay. Most in fact will enjoy
an increase. The figure of $ 73 million appearing in the final
report and which will now be available to you and which was the cost
of the recommendation as submitted by the Woodward Committee is now
reduced to $ 63 million following the abolition of national service.
I will also be in touch with Mr Justice Woodward shortly about the
offer made by the Committee in its final report to meet again if
necessary to clarify or elaborate on any issue from the
recommendations it has made. I have the question of pdrmanent
services pay fixing machinery currently under consideration.
one of the recommendations of the Committee was that there should
be a permanent committee established to conduct frequent enquiries
into service pay allowances and conditions. I am now examining the
terms under which that committee will be appointed and who should
head it. Now what I've given you is only a brief outline of the
Woodward Committee Report, the changes that have been made in
relation to pay and allowances for serving members of the forces,
the fact that for example taxation laws will now apply to members
of the forces in a way that they were not previously applied. But
there is a full press statement available on this matter and it
will be made available to you immediately following this conference.
Secondly of course the Woodward Committee's Report is also
available. Now the Defence forces re-engagement bonus. You will remember
this is the $ 1,000 which was one of the policy matters that we
put to the people of Australia in the elections in 1972. There has
been some comment in relation to this matter that it would not be
the full $ 1,000, that if tax was considered, then something less
than $ 1,000 would be available to an ex-serviceman who re-engaged.
Cabinet considered this matter today and affirmed that the reengagement
bonus of $ 1,000 to be paid to eligible members of the
Defence forces will be exempt from tax. Appropriate amendments of
the Income Tax Assessment Act will be prepared.
I come next to the Tariff Board Report on cathode ray tube
display terminals. Cabinet today considered a Tariff Board Report
on cathode ray tube display terminals. The particular units under
reference comprise a cathode ray tube ( of the T. V. screen type),
various specially designed electronic circuits and a device for
connecting its terminals to other parts of a data processing or
communications system. They are used for airline reservations,
off-track betting, education and defence communications.
The reference to the Board arose from representations by a Canberrabased
firm Information Electronics and AWA now also manufacture
these terminals. Subsequent to the Board reporting on these units
the Government forwarded to it a reference on the electronics
industry generally. Bearing in mind the Board's own approach that
its examination of relevant issues can be more thorough in broader
industry reviews than in inquiries covering only one or two outputs
of an industry's total product range, the Government has decided
to defer a decision on the Board's present recommendation pending
its report on the industry generally. The Board is to be asked to
consider any changed circumstances with regard to the local
production of the units in its report on the relevant sections
of the electronics industry. It is understood that the Board has
this well in hand. In the meantime the present rates of duty
general rate 32.5 per cent will remain in force, and because the
Board noted in some cases that export prices were less than current
domestic values the question of dumping will now be investigated
by the Department of Customs and Excise. The Government is aware
that the continuation of the existing level of protection could
attract prospective new manufacturers. The Government would like
it to be clearly understood, however, that it does not wish
fragmentation to be caused in the electronics industry by reason
of the continuation of the present protection and it will not
hesitate to take action which may prove necessary to prevent
fragmentation and excess capacity.
The National Pipeline System. The Cabinet approved the creation
of a national pipeline authority by legislation in the forthc oming
session. The authority will have the carriage of the planning and
construction of a national pipeline system and its subsequent
operation and maintenance. On this matter Mr Connor of course will
have further details.
On T. A. A. The Cabinet decided that it would move a step
further towards implementing its two-airline policy as set out in
the Platform. Again, I suggest that on this question Mr Jones would
be able to elaborate.
Trespass on Commonwealth Lands. Cabinet decided to the repeal
of sanctions 8A, 8B and 8C of the A. C. T. Trespass on Commonwealth
Lands Ordinance was approved. You remember that these sanctions were
introduced by the previous Government in the last session of the
Parliament. Cabinet also authorised the preparation of amendments
to the Ordinance to ensure adequate protection of Commonwealth land
in the A. C. T. while properly safeguarding the rights of citizens.
Cabinet determined and approved the guarantee for loan from Asian
Development Bank to Papua New Guinea. It approved the preparation
of authorising legislation to provide the necessary assurances to
the Asian Development Bank for the borrowing of $ 9.8 million U. S.
dollars by Papua New Guinea for the upgrading, realignment and
sealing of about 75 miles of the Highlands highway between Lae and
Waterais and the upgrading and new construction of about 62 miles
of the Hiritano Highway between Port Moresby and Bereina. The
legislation will be ready for introduction during the autumn sittings.
Further guarantee for overseas borrowing by Papua New Guinea.
The Cabinet authorised the introduction of appropriate legislation
to provide for a contractual guarantee by the Australian Government
of an overseas borrowing in the 1973 financial year by Papua New
Guinea in foreign currencies not exceeding the equivalent of
$ US 20 million.
The Broadcasting and Television Act. Action against breaches.
The Cabinet has authorised the Minister for the Media to issue a
notice of suspension to any television or radio licencee company
which may display in the future a blatant disregard of the standards
laid down by the Broadcasting Control Board on advertising content
and programs. Again this is a matter which the Minister for the Media
may wish to remark on and you'll be able to get the full information
from Senator McClelland.
The Home Brewing of Beer. Cabinet decided to introduce
legislation to amend the Excise Act to allow the brewing of beer
by individuals for their own consumption. Senator Murphy has the
full details. Wheat Delivery Quotas and First Advance. Cabinet today gave.
consideration to the question of wheat quotas for the 1973 pool
and the level of the first advance in relation to that pool.
Certain decisions were taken, but as you would know, wheat quotas
is a matter involving the States. The next step therefore is for the
decision to be conveyed to the States and discussed with them'. My
colleague, the Minister for Primary Industry, will be taking this
up and I'm sure he will release details as soon as he is able to do
SO.
Gentlemen, that completes the business the Cabinet
Submissions, and the business of the Cabinet.
Q: Mr Barnard, could you give us some indication of the number of
troops that are going to be kept in Singapore when the battalion and
the artillery battery come home at the end of this year or early
next year?
Acting No, at this stage I cannot give you any indication.
The matter is quite clearly under consideration. The Prime Minister
has made a statement on this matter and I would not want to enlarge
Upon it except to say this, since I have no doubt that it will be
raised with me and I'm now referring to the question of the Signal
Section. As soon as I became informed on this matter I immediately
issued instructions that alternative arrangements were to be made
for facilities to be provided for the Signal Section back in
Australia. That information and that request that decision was
conveyed to my Department and they are acting on it. There are some-
I suppose if one dealt-with a breakdown of the forces in Singaporethere
are some forces probably that would be required but I would
not be able to give you at this stage precisely any accurate figures
in relation to the number who would be expected to remain for this
purpose. It has been suggested that 500 to 600 might be kept there.
Would this be an accurate estimation do you think?
Acting The matter is still under consideration.
If the Federal Conference of the Labor Party decides that all
troops come home will the Government bring them home?
Acting . If the Federal Conference of the Party makes a
decision then I think as it was suggested quite recently that the
Prime Minister would accede to a decision, a decision of a properly
constituted conference.
Sir, you said you'd given instructions for the Signals Unit
to come back. It was suggested last week by a senior source I
understand that this wouldn't be until 1975. Do you think that
it will now be advanced? And secondly can you tell us on the record
what the function of the Signals Unit in Singapore is?
Acting No, I cannot. That's the answer to your second part.
But in relation to the first part, then I can assure you that
whatever instructions and whatever decision I make in relation to
bringing the Signals Unit back to Australia will be made on the
basis that it should be done without any delay. Let me amplify that:
you cannot bring back a Signals Unit without certain facilities
being available for them.
Sir, that doesn't quite clarify the point. Will it be before
1975? Acting I'm not able to answer that question at this stage.
Sir, can we get some idea of your hopes on what you know...
Acting In view of what has been said and what I have said
that I would want to ensure that there is no undue delay.
Q: Mr Barnard, you make the point that when you were told of
this existence of the Unit in Singapore you decided it should be
brought back to Australia. When were you told?
Acting At the same time as the Prime Minister.
Was there any discussion or decision in Cabinet about making
greater use of the Commonwealth Savings Bank loans for housing to
promote competition among the other banks?
Acting No.
Mr Barnard, did Dr Cairns raise the question of revaluation
and the way the decision was reached?
Acting No, he did not. I put it to the Cabinet that any
economic decisions should quite properly be left until the Prime
Minister returned to Australia and that was accepted without question
by the Cabinet.
Sir, have officials of the Department of Defence or the Army
advised the Queensland Premier that Australia should retain control
of the islands it presently holds in the Torres Strait for strategic
reasons? Were these discussions with Defence officials which
Mr Bjelke-Petersen is alleged to have said took place did they take
place with your knowledge were they official or unofficial?
Acting I have no knowledge of the matter at all. There has
been some discussion as you know by correspondence between the
Premier of Queensland and the Prime Minister.
But you are unaware that Defence Department officials have
spoken to the Queensland Premier?
Acting I cannot confirm or deny it. I have no knowledge
of it. Mr Barnard, as Shadow Defence Minister you toured Pine Gap.
As Defence Minister yesterday you toured Pine Gap. Can you tell us
whether you were shown things yesterday that you weren' t shown in
Opposition and can you give us some indication of whether you plan
to allow Opposition M. P. s and other M. P. s in Australia greater
access than you had to these bases?
Acting Yesterday and Sunday I visited Woomera and Alice
Springs. I had been to these centres before but you will remember
that I indicated when I was asked a question on this I think at
the first Press Conference that the Prime Minister held what
I would be doing about the bases in Australia. So I visited the
joint Defence establishment at these centres Sunday and yesterday.
I did that because I wanted to be in a position as I indicated
during that first Press Conference that I believed I had a
responsibility to make a statement to the national Parliament
and in doing so to inform the people of Australia. What I have said
in the past in relation to these matters and any criticism I've made
in relation to the Parliament itself was that there was never an
opportunity for an informed discussion. The purpose of my visit to
these areas was to bring myself up to date on these matters to enable
me to be able to present a statement to the Federal Parliament as
soon as possible. That statement will be considered by the Cabinet
by the Parliamentary Labor Party and by the Government and it will
be delivered in the Parliament.
Could I press you on the first point. Were you shown things as
Minister that you weren't allowed to see before you were Minister?
Acting The only thing that I can say all I would say
in answer to that question is that when I visited ' the establishment
as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition I was shown the utmost courtesy
and my visit on this occasion was no different.
Sir, do you propose giving the Parliament the opportunity
for informed discussion on these installations?
Acting If I make a statement to the Parliament as I will be
then naturally that statement will be open to debate.
Sir, would the Government consider alloving the Press to
inspect the installations at Pine Gap member-s of the Press?
Acting I think that on these questions you should wait until
I have made the statements to Parliament. You'll be able to question
me further on them. Naturally one of the matters that I am looking
at if I have been critical in the past would be the rights of
Members of Parliament and others.
You'll be giving a detailed briefing to Parliament about
Pine Gap and Woomera. Can you give me some general indication now
as to what the bases are all about?
Acting I do not believe, as I have said before, that I
ought to make statements on these matters until I have the
opportunity to inform the Parliament. I have been critical myself
in the Federal Parliament on other occasions about statements on
important matters being issued outside the Parliament. I think
the nation has a right to be informed and it should be informed
through the Parliament and I will do that.
on a general note, have you learnt anything or were you shown
anything that could make anyone believe that Pine Gap or Woomera
might possibly be a nuclear target?
Acting I'm sure that when I make my statement to Parliament
you will have the answer to that question.
Mr Barnard, back to the Singapore Signals Unit why was it
apparently suggested last week that the reason for us keeping
Australian logistic troops in Singapore was to screen the Signals
Unit there when it was only two or three years ago that the main
Australian Army force moved from Terandah to Singapore and up to
that stage no screen was apparently thought necessary?
Acting I said a few moments ago that one could give a
breakdown I haven't the figures before me of troops who would be
stationed in Singapore of the men who are stationed now in
Singapore, but who certainly would have no relationship to the Unit
that you've just mentioned.
Sir, you've said that you can't give us any details of
Pine Gap and the other bases at the moment because you want to save
that for Parliament. But you've announced a number of major
decisions today Mr Whitlam has done so every Tuesday when he has
been in Canberra. Presumably you've got good reason for regarding
the Pine Gap business as something special. Could you tell us why
that must wait for Parliament when other major decisions can be
announced outside Parliament?
Acting Because the decisions that I have outlined today are
Cabinet decisions. They have been approved by Cabinet. The one that
you've raised has not been considered by Cabinet. It will be
considered by Cabinet.
Will you have to get any clearance from America before you
make your statement about Pine Gap?
Acting This is not a matter for the United States
Government. This is a matter for the Australian Government, and
it will determine the issue since it's a joint Defence installation
I would regard it as a matter of courtesy that the statement, once
it is cleared by the Government, should be available to them.
Sir, do you intend to get in touch with them before you draft
the statement or in view of what you...
Acting No, I will not be getting in touch with them.
Mr Barnard, will the agreement with the American Government
in relation to American bases in Australia will the agreements be
tabled in Parliament to allow any form of debate?
Acting the agreements?
The agreements setting up the bases. Would they be tabled
as well?
Acting Again I'll be referring to those matters in the
statement. Mr Barnard, Mr Connor last week spoke to the Japanese
Government and has suggested that mineral contracts should be
re-negotiated in the wake of the currency decision last week.
Was there any discussion of this in Cabinet?
Acting No.
Sir, even if no discussion camne up in Cabinet today on the
matter of Commonwealth Bank interest rates, was a decision made on
this last week or has any concrete plan on lowering interest rates
before Cabinet at the moment?
Acting No.
Sir, again on the re-engagement bonus, you've cleared up the
tax side of it. I don't know whether you are issuing a special
statement on this, but it's not quite clear who decides who's
eligible how many you envisage would be eligible in any one year,
or this year, and what the cost would be?
Acting I will be able to get these figures. of course the
re-engagement bonus has been paid already to some members of the
forces. I haven't got the figures in front of me nor could I recall
them immediately but, no doubt this information will be required by
the Parliament and it is available.
Mr Barnard, was the subject of the Public Service Board's
circular sent last week to Departments dealing with the fourth week
annual leave for public servants discussed by the Cabinet in the
course of discussion on the subject of maternity leave. Was there
any criticism of the Public Service Board's circular in Cabinet?
Acting I'm sorry. I didn't get the last part of your
question...
Did Cabinet or any members of Cabinet criticise the Public
Service Board's circular sent to the Departments last week dealing
with the fourth week annual leave?
Acting Cabinet had a submission before it in relation to
the four weeks annual leave question. It dealt with that and
nothing else on this subject.
Sir, in relation to the controversy over the Singapore
Signals Unit, Mr Hartley last week made a statement in which he said
that this showed there was a problem in relationships between the
Government and the Public Service. I've no doubt that you've seen
this statement since it was in most newspapers and it applied to
your Department. Would you like to agree with Mr Hartley?
Is there a problem in dealing with the Public Service? Is there a
problem in them trying to run politicians?
Acting The answer is no.
Could you elaborate obviously this impression is abroad.
Could you tell us why
Acting I can see no conflict of opinion in this. It's
merely an interpretation of the Government's decision and I think
it's reasonable that there may be a request for an interpretation.
The Government determined its attitude in relation to that to
the query that was raised in this way.
Was it on your instructions that a desk in your office was
allegedly cleared out by a Defence liaison officer or was it on
the Department's instructions?
Acting A desk in my office?
Yes, Sir,
Acting Well it certainly was not on my instructions and
I'm not aware of it.
Was it searched?
Acting I'm not aware of it, but what I can do, I can
assure you, is find out.
Sir, are you satisfied that the bases at Pine Gap are forming
pr: oper and correct function in relation to Australia's defence?
Acting P. M.: AAcgtiagi nP, M .: t his I will be stating in my statement.