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PRESS RELEASE
The Prime Minister today continued his campaigning
for State Labor Leader Perc Tucker.
In a crowded schedule, Mr Whitlam attended a Greek
Orthodox Church Service and addressed a gathering at the Greek
Community Centre in South Brisbane. He stressed the Australian
Government's concern at the Cyprus situation, and outlined the
financial and welfare assistance already given by his Government.
Advance Australia Fair signalled his arrival at a
crowded luncheon at the New Melbourne Hotel.
Mr Whitlam reminded the audience of his longstanding
association with Queensland.
" In my concern and affection for Queensland, in my
knowledge of your State and my long-standing association with
it, I yield to no-one, not even Mr Bjelke-Petersen and Sir
Gordon Chalk," he said.
" I came here with no grudge against your Premier,
and for all our disagreements, I bear no lasting animosity
towards his government. I have done my best to work with him
for the good of this State. If I point to failings in his
government's performance I know you will understand I have no
desire to bucket Queensland or its citizens," Mr Whitlam added.
However, he criticised the Premier for not helping
in the fight against inflation.
" As the leader of the national government, I accept
responsibility for the economic management of this country,"
the Prime Minister stated.
" I don't shuffle off that responsibility to Mr Bjelke-
Petersen. At the same time he cannot shuffle off his own
responsibilities to me.
" My own government has used every weapon at its
disposal, every constitutional power it possesses, in the
battle against inflation and unemployment. We will not let
up in that battle.
" Mr Bjelke-Petersen has done nothing. He campaigned
against our referendum to seek greater powers in the fight
against inflation. He refuses to use the powers he already
possesses," Mr Whitlam said.
" If the Queensland Government co-operated with us in
setting up a land commission as the three Liberal States are
doing, we could reduce the price of land for the home buyer.
" If the Queensland Government allowed Australian
National Line ships to operate between Queensland ports it
could cut shipping freights.
2
" If he co-operated with our plan to reduce electricity
costs in Queensland we could check price rises over a vast
range of goods," Mr lhitlam said.
Queensland's housing policy was a disgrace.
" They have done less than anyone for the people most
in need of housing and even less than Labor did in Queensland
in its last year of office 1956-57. That year Labor built
1900 housing commission homes. Last year Mr Bjelke-Petersen
built only 1400 homes and had almost $ 12 million left over
in unspent housing funds from Canberra, despite a 40% population
increase since Labor was last in office in Queensland."
The Prime Minister concluded his address by pointing
out that Queenslanders received a larger slice of the national
expenditure cake than any other Australians.
Queensland had received $ 739 million last financial
year from the Australian Government. This represented 3382.00
per head of population, compared with $ 343.00 per head average
in the other States.
Mr Whitlam attended a function at Redland Bay Hotel
before driving to Surfers Paradise where he has a press conference
tomorrow morning.
17 November 1974