SmMRGo: 6: 30 p. m.
( Brisbane Time)
TRANSCRIPT OF C HANNEL 0 INTERVIEW WITH PRIME MINISTER
BRISBANE, NOVEMBER 22, 1974
INTERVIEWER: Sir, the big, burning issue in Queensland at the
moment is Mr. Crean, which was announced yesterday.
Can I ask you a few questions. When did you take
the decision to relocate Mr. Crean?
PRIME MINISTER Oh, about three or four weeks ago.
INTERVIEWERWhy did the public not know about it till yesterday?
PRIME IN1ISTER 1For t wo reasons. Dr. Cairns was away a week ago and
a week before that and when he got back the Governor-
General was away until yesterday.
INTERVIEWERDr. Cairns was reported as saying he would not
accept the position as Treasurer. What changed
his mind?
PRIME MINISTER He was referring to just after he was elected
' Deputy Leader of the Party., Deputy Prime Minister,
last June. At that time of course, I asked him
if he'd like it, and he wasn't anxious at that time.
INTERVIEWERDo tyou think he'll make a better Treasurer though,
than Mr. Crean?
PRIME MINISTER I appoint people to the jobs that I think they can
do best. Quite obviously, in my view, Dr. Cairns is
the man best able to be Treasurer. Now that's obvious,
surely.
INTERVIE W&. Well, there seems to be a considerable difference of
opinion about that in Caucus.
PRIME MINISTER No, there isn't it's my job to allocate portfolios,
and I would.-have thought that was a-very obvious
question to ask..
IN -RVIEWE? Do you take complete responsibility?
PRIME MINISTER-Of course I do.
INTERVIEWER
PRIME MINISTER
INTERVIEWER What happens if Caucus now, and the ACTU
It won't-It's none of the business of the ACTU
and the Caucus, of course, operates under very well
established rules where it is the Prime Minister's
job to allocate portfolios. I've done my job
according to well-known, well established rules.
It seems to me, Sir, that there are two main
criticisms. One, that this has. taken an awfully
long time...
PRIME MINISTER I've given you reasons.
INTERVIEWER And thatwas the only reason?
PRIME MINISTER Exactly.
INTERVIEWER Was Mr. Crean aware
PRIME MINISTER I couldn't finalise this matter whiler. Cairns was
away, and then after he was back the Governor-
General was away fdr two or three days. The
Governor-General came back to Canberra yesterday
about midday. I saw him in the afternoon.
INTERVIEWER Was Mr. Crean himself aware of this three weeks ago?
PRIME MINISTER Yes.
INTERVIEWER And he went along with it, at that time?
PRIME MINISTER You've read the announcement.
INTERVIEWER It says here that Mr. Creanin the Financial Review
today
PRIME MINISTER Well, look, I'm not going to comment on other people's
interpretations. If you don't mind, I will not do it.
INTERVIEWER It says he was dismissed..
PRIME MINISTER-I will not discuss other people's interpretations.
You can ask for my interpretation. I've given it
to you. if
INTERVIEWE.. But at this point in time/ you get a very strong
criticism coming forward from the ACTU.....
PRIME MINISTER There will not be. You're asking me to speculate.
1. re hasn't been. There will not be.
INTERVIEWER There are a number of reports of criticisms
PRINE MINISTER They are not accurate reports, obviously.
INTERVIEWER Well Sir, thank you very much.