PM Transcripts

16 January 1975
PRESS-STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER, DR. J. F. CAIRNS
STATE RAILWAYS
The Australian Government will start negotiations on the
transfer of responsibility for the operation of the South
Australian and Tasmanian railway systems from the States to the
Federal Government. The Federal Cabinet meeting in Sydney decided this today.
After the meeting, the Acting Prime Minister, Dr. J. F.
Cairns, said that Cabinet had decided to inform the two State
Governments that the Australian Government was ready to start
high level negotiations on the transfer.
Dr. Cairns said that detailed proposals would be put
before the State Governments with a view to an early conclusion.
" Today's Cabinet decision resulted from discussions
yesterday between myself, as Treasurer, and the Premier of
South Australia, Mr. Dunstan, and the Premier of Tasmania,
Mr. Reece." " Cabinet has made an immediate response to the propsals
Put by Mr. Reece and Mr. Dunstan."
In his 1972 policy speech, the Prime Minister, Mr,
Whitlam. said:" A Labor Government will accept the offers of the
New South Wales and Victorian Premiers for a transfer of their
State railways systems and 411l accept such an offer from
any other State."
South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and New
South Wales agreed to discussions without commitment. Victoria
and Queensland refused to discuss it.
SYDNEY