PM Transcripts

EMBARGO: 5.00 PM
PRIME MINISTER 2 June 1974
Press Statement No. 254
Public Comment by Public Servants,
The Prime Minister announced today that the
Governor-General in Council had approved the repeal of
Public Service-Regulation 34( b) which has prohibited
public comment by officers of the Australian Public Service
on administrative matters. Mr Whitlam said the Government
had asked the Public Service Board to issue guidelines to
public servants explaining fully the effects of the repeal
and outlining the new arrangements.
The Prime Minister said the policy of the Government
and the Labor Party was that restrictions on freedom of
expression of public servants and former public servants
should be reduced to the minimum necessary for the
conduct of affairs of state.
" The Government believes that public servants should
have the maximum possible freedom to exercise the social
and political rights enjoyed by other citizens" Mr Whitlam
said. " This is a long-standing Government commitment in
line with our promise to introduce a Freedom of Information
Act for all Australians".
The repeal of Regulation 34( b) was in accordance
with the views of the Public Service Board which had
reviewed the Regulation after representations from the
Council of Commonwealth Public Servants' Organisation.
Mr Whitlam added that the Council of Commonwealth
Public Servants Organisations had been informed of the
Government's decision. Mr Whitlam said that interested
parties would be welcome to give their views on the
question of public comment by public servants to the Commission
of Enquiry into the Public Service which the Government
has announced. He said he had long felt that the blanket prohibition
contained in Regulation 34( b) was wrong and futile, though
he recognised that some restrictions were necessary.
" I expect that the restrictions will be substantially reduced
now that the Reguldtion has been repealed" Mr Whitlams. aid.
CANBERRA. A. C. T