PM Transcripts

Press Statement No. 216
April 1974
INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION TO REPORT ON
RURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION
The Prime Minister announced today that he had forwarded
two references to the Industries Assistance Commission on the
question of Australian Government assistance in financing rural
research and the promotion of rural products.
Mr. Whitlam said that the references were in accordance
with the statement made by Dr. Patterson as the Minister representing
the Minister for Primary Industry, when introducing the Wool Industry
Bill 1974 on 14 March 1974, to provide for financing wool research
and promotion during the three years beginning with the year 1974/ 75.
The Government has decided to ask the Commission to report on rural
research and promotion generally before the announced three year wool
promotion scheme expires in 1976/ 77. The Government's policy in
relation to the continuation of wool research and promotion beyond
June 1977 will be determined in the light of the report of the
Commission. Mr. Whitlam said that expenditure by the Government on rural
promotion. in 1973/ 74 will be about $ 15.7 million on wool and about
$ 1.2 million on promotion overseas of meat, dairy products, apples
and pears, canned fruit, dried vine fruits, eggs, wine and honey.
Expenditure on wool research alone in 1973/ 74 was expected to be
about $ 6 million.
The Commission has been asked whether funds should continue to
be provided by the Australian Government to finance, or assist in
financing rural research and promotion of rural products ( including
processed products) and, if so:-
What should be the nature and extent of the
assistance provided by the Australian Government, and
What criteria should be used in determining and
apportioning such expenditure.
For the purposes of both inquiries, fisheries and fisheries
products have been included within the scope of the references.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.