PM Transcripts

AUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER Press Statement No. 457
22 February 1975
SENATE VACANCY
Mr Lewis will be flouting the unanimous wishes of
the Senate, the Parliamentary Liberal Party in Canberra and
now the Liberal Party Federal Executive if he goes ahead with
his defiance of convention in filling the Senate vacancy.
It is apparent to everyone except Mr Lewis and
the more backward elements of the Country Party that
conventions of this kind must be preserved if our democratic
parliamentary system is to survive.
The fact that the Liberal Party Federal Executive
has had to hedge its support for the convention is clearly
the result of the difficulties in which Mr Snedden has
placed it by his inability to do anything but lead his party
from behind. The appointment of a Senator by a State is not
an " internal affair" of the State. It is something which,
unless carried out in accordance with Australia-wide custom,
can disrupt the whole Parliamentary, system.
Events of the last week have demonstrated just how
ineffective the Liberals would be if they were in government
in Canberra. On two major issues affecting the Australian
constitution, they have been unable to get the co-operation
of the Country Party and the two Liberal-Country Party Premiers.
Mr Lewis has disregarded Mr Snedden over the Senate
replacement; Mr Bjelke-Petersen has disregarded Mr Snedden
over the way in wHich Australia's overseas trade should be
conducted. It is clear that the Liberal and Country Party are
at odds with the Australian Parliament and the Leader of the
Liberal Party is unable to secure co-operation of the Premiers
of New South Wales and Queensland.
If Mr Snedden can't get-the Premiers to agree with
him on matters involving the propriety of appointments to the Australian
Parliament and the conduct of foreign trade, how hopeless
would he be facing the more difficult tasks of government.
CANBERRA. A. C. T..