PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER Press Statement 244
April 1974
OPPOSITION POLICY SPEECH -STATEMENT BY THE
PRIME MINISTER
Mr. Snedden's policy speech is a document of gross
political irresponsibility a document of desperation and
deception. He produces a host of vague, uncosted, contradictory
promises. They are wildly inflationary promises.
He refuses to provide any estimate of the cost of his
promises. The Australian people are entitled to this information.
He refuses to say clearly and unequivocally what areas
of government spending he would cut in order to reduce inflation.
The Australian people are entitled to this information.
Behind Mr. Snedden's vague and ominous talk of hard
decisions lies a threat to every initiative my Government has
undertaken in education, welfare, transport, the cities.
Mr. Snedden's only definite proposal for curbing inflation
is to call a meeting. Even then he refuses to tell us what he
would propose at such a meeting. He does not say because he does
not know. He deliberately deceives the people when he says the
Labor Government has raised taxes. We have not raised taxes.
The fact is that the average wage earner in 1973 was better off
after taxes than in 1972.
For all Mr. Snedden's scare talk and hysteria, Australians
know that they have never been more prosperous. They have full
employment and high wages. The economy is buoyant. The dollar is
one of the world's strongest currencies. Our trade is booming.
Company profits are at record levels. The latest price figures
show that our policies to control inflation the world-wide problem
of inflation are working. It would be tradgic if the good progress
we have made were to be undone by Mr. Snedden' s reckless and
irresponsible bid for power.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.