PM Transcripts

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PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 416
December 1974
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON REHABILITATION
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, said today that a
National Advisory Council on Rehabilitation was being
established to advise the Government on all aspects of its
policies affecting the rehabilitation of the injured and
the handicapped. The Chairman will be Mr Justice C. L. D. Meares,
of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and the Chairman
of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission.
Mr Whitlam said that the Government had been very
fortunate in securing Mr Justice Meares' services. With
Sir Owen Woodhouse, he had formed the Committee of Inquiry
into Compensation and Rehabilitation in Australia. The
Committee's Report was presented earlier this year, and the
National Compensation Bill, which was currently before the
Parliament, was one substantial result of it.
The Government would be looking to the Council for
advice on implementing the rehabilitation aspects of the
Woodhouse Report, the Prime Minister added. The Committee
of Inquiry said in that section of itp Report dealing with
rehabilitation that " in the past, the handicapped have been
neglected and often isolated. Society has paid far too little
attention to their needs". Mr Whitlam said that with the
Council's help, the Government would ensure that the
handicapped would receive all the assistance and protection
which could reasonably be provided, so that they could find
a worthwhile place in society.
The Prime Minister said that the Council would be
responsible to the Special Minister of State, Mr Bowen.
The other members would be announced following discussions
with Mr Justice Meares.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.