NATIONAL PRESS CLUB 8 DECEBERI 1975
AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE LAST QUARTER OF THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY, AUSTRALIA FACES A DIFFICULT AND
TESTING TIhE AT 1HOE AND ABROAD,
AT HOME IN THE IMEDIATE FUTURE WE ARE CONFRONTED
WITH THE KIND OF ECONOMIC CRISIS NANY OF US BELIEVED
COULD NEVER HAPPEN HERE-A CRISIS COMPOUNDED OF
HIGH AND RISING UNEMPLOYi1ENT AND HIGH INFLATION.
A CRISIS THAT SHOULD INEVER HAVE OCCURRED,
ABROAD, WE ARE FACING A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY AND
INSTABILITY OF G. REAt GLOBAL PROBLEMS WHICH WILL
REQUIRE GREAT INGENUITY AND GOODWILL TO SOLVE,
BEYOND THESE PROBLEMS THERE ARE OTHER LESS OBVIOUS
NIOBNUE TT HE LESS, VITALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES WHICH
CONCERN THE VERY BASIS OF OUR WAY OF LIFE AND STYLE
OF GOVERNMENT.
IT IS ABOUT THESE THAT I AM GOING TO TALK TODAY.
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S THESE ISSUES CONCERN THE VERY MANNER IN WHICH
AUSTRALIA IS TO BE GOVERNED OVER THE NEXT
QUARTER CENTURY AND BEYOND,
THEY CONCERN THE RELATIONSHIP OF GOVERNMENT
TO THE PEOPLE, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH PEOPLE
S'CAN CONTROL THEIR OWN LIVES IN A SOCIETY IN WHICH
GOVERNMENTS TEND TO BE INCREASINGLY INTRUSIVEI
AND DEMANDING,
THEY CONCERN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS
AND THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF OUR SOCIETY
ESPECIALLY LARGE BUSINESSES AND LARGE TRADE
UNIONS, WE. MUST MAKE SURE THESE INSTITUTIONS
SREMAIN RESPONSIVE TO THE NEDS OF PEOPLE
WII TTH" EI N THEM.-
: AND FINALLY. AMONG THESE CRUCIAL ISSUES, IS THE
QUESTION WHETHER WE, AS A PEOPLE, CAN FIND A
RENEWED FAITH AND COMMITMENT TO OUR CAPACITY
TO PROVIDE A DECENT LIFE FOR EVERY PERSON WHILE
AT THE SAME TINE ENCOURAGING THE VERY BEST
OUR PEOPLE CAN OFFER, I
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AUSTRALIA V' CHANGING.,
THE WORL!) CHANGING,
AUSTRALIA'; INCREASINGLY RECOGNISE THAT THE OLD
CONFLICTS A'i. O DIVISIONS HAVE LESS AND LESS
MEANING, THERE ARI. MI/-IY TRADE UNIONISTS WHO NO LONGER FEEL
ANY IDEN JI ICATION WITH THE PARTY OF THEIR
TRADITIONAI SUPPORT,
THEY NO I oNlflf: R FEEL FOR OBVIOUS REASONS THAT
THERE IS ANY NECESSARY RELATION BETWEEN THEIR OWN
NEEDS AND IIIF POLICIES OF THAT PARTY.
INCOME (' PORTUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA ARE fMORE
EQUALLY jII:; I!' IBUTED THAN IN ALMOST ANY OTHER
COUNTRY I IIIE WORLD, DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF
SIGNIFICA! I I'OCKETS OF DISADVANTAGE AND REAL NEED.
THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE US NOW ARE NEW,
IN MANY W. AYS THEY ARE EXCITING, THE DEGREE OF
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY WE HAVE PROVIDES
AN UNCOMMON CHANSE FOR AUSTRALIA.
ARNOLD TOYNBEE WROTE TWELVE VOLUMES EXAMINING
THE RISE AND FALL OF SOCIETIES AND CIVILISATIONS.
HE CONCLUDED THAT THE ESSENTIAL FACTORS IN A
SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE TO CHALLENGE WERE THE QUALITY
OF GOVERNMENT AND THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE,
IF WE FACE OUR PROBLEMS SQUARELY AND DO OUR
BEST TO UNDERSTAND THEM I AM CONFIDENT WE CAN
MEET THE CHALLENGES,
SIR ROBERT MENZIES IN HIS BOOK " THE MEASURE
' OF THE YEARS" LAID DOWN HIS VIEW OF THE
OBLIGATIONS OF AN OPPOSITION PARTY, HE SAID:
FOU-THAT-O PP OSI-TIO -P RCrVD ED ON" f-ON LYA
GREAT-A D--ENTH RA LLING '-OPPO , RTU'[ ITY-T& l=&-REATE
A-NE. W-AND-ECOHESIVE-NATI OfNA-PART-Y--BUf-A-LSO AN
OBLIGATION TO RETHINK POLICIES TO LOOK FORWARD,
TO DEVISE A BODY OF IDEAS AT ONCE SOUND AND
PROGRESSIVE" " OPPOSITION MUST BE REGARDED AS A GREAT
CONSTRUCTIVE PERIOD IN THE LIFE OF A PARTY,
PROPERLY CONSIDERED, NOT A PERIOD IN THE
WILDERNESSI BUT A PERIOD OF PREPARATIONS FOR
THE HIGH RESPONSIBILITIES 4WHICH YOU HOPE WILL
\ iCO MEl.
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WE IN THE LIBERAL AND NATIONAL COUNTRY PARTIES
HAVE SPEND OUR TIME IN OPPOSITION PREPARING ONE
OF THE MOST FAR-REACHING, EXCITING AND PROGRESSIVE
PROGRAMMES WE HAVE EVER ATTEMPTED,
I AM CONFIDENT THAT IF THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE
APPROVE OUR POLICIES ON DECEMBER 13, WE CAN MAKE
AN EFFECTIVE START TO MEETING THE-SE PROBLEMS, -2c Fc
IT WILL BE OUR OBJECTIVE TO:
BRING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL AND GET
UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE.
ESTABLISH A STYLE AND FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT
STHAT WILL LEAD TO EFFECTIVE POLICY FORMiN ATION
SAND DECISION-MAKING.
MAKE GOVERNMENT TAXATION POLICIES MORE OPEN
AND HONEST.
ESTABLISH CO-OPERATIVE -NOT CONFLICTING
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RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
STRENGTHEN THE AUTONOMY, RESPONSIBILITY AND
FLEXIBILITY OF LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT CLOSEST
TO THE PEOPLE AND REVERSE THE EXCESSIVE
CENTRALISATION OF POWER IN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, ENCOURAGE, AND WHERE NIECESSARY, LEGALLY
ESTABLISH, PROCEDURES THAT WILL MAKE SURE
THAT LARGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES REMAIN
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO
WORK IN THEM, SIMILARLY lWIE WILL ESTABLISH
PROCEDURES WIHICH ENSURE THAT TRADE UNIONS REMAIN
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR MEIMBERS AND
ARE NOT CAUGHT UP IN THE SEARCH FOR POW-ER FOR
POWER'S SAKE. i . Lt
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S ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE THE SOCIALLY AND
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AS WELL AS THE
BETTER-OFF HAVE MAXIMUM FREEDOM OF CHOICE
NOT ONLY IN THE GOODS THEY BUY, BUT IN
EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, AND OTHER SERVICES AS
IELL,
AS PART OF THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHOICE AND
DIVERSITY STRENGTHEN TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING
OF DIFFERING LIFE STYLES, AUSTRALIA HAS MOVED
BEYOND THE AGE OF A NARROW ANGLO-CONFORMITY,
GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNISE THIS.
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FINALLY, ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES AND EiNCOURAGHEEMN T TO ACHIEVE
OF THEIR BEST, SO THAT ALL AUSTRALIANS CAN
BENEFIT,
ONLY IN THIS IAY CAN AUSTRALIA BE A NATION OF
INDEPENDENT PEOPLE CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITIES TO
ACHIEVE AND MASTER THEIR DESTINY,
ONLY IN THIS W'AY CAN ALL AUSTRALIANS HAVE
THAT STRONG FOUNDATION OF SELF-RESPECT ON
WHICH TOLERANCE AND GENUINE AND WILLING
CO-OPERATION CAN BE BASED,
IF THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE APPROVE OUR APPROACH
ON DECEMBER 13 IE WILL ESTABLISH A STYLE OF
GOVERiNMEN: T -THROUGH HICH-lE CA'N GIVE EFFECT TO
AND DEVELOP, OUR POLICIES,
ONE OF OUR FIRST CONCERNS WILL BE TO SECURE THE
INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER OF THE PUBLIC
SERVICE* FREE FROM POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS.
OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY WORK EFFECTIVELY
AND EFFICIENTLY WITH A POLITICALLY NEUTRAL
PUBLIC SERVICE..
i LEGAL PROCEDURES WILL BE ESTABLISHED WHICH
WILL SECURE THE BEST APPOINTMENTS TO THIS END,
THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE
PUBLIC SERVICE ACT.
THESE PROCEDURES WILL ENSURE THAT SUITABLE
CANDIDATES FROM WITHIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
ARE NOT PASSED OVER WHILE NOT PRECLUDING.
APPOINTIMEHTS FROM' 1 OUTSIDE THE SERVICE.
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1 PSB TO PUT FORWARD SHORT LIST OF SUITABLE
CANDIDATES FROM WITHIN PUBLIC SERVICE.
2. PSB CHAIRMAN TO CON1SULT WITH SENIOR PERANENT
HEADS.
3. SHORT LIST TO MINISTER CONCERNED AND PRIME
MINISTER
48, IF DOUBTS, CHAIRMAN PSB CONSULTED IF
ADDITIONAL NAMES PUT FORWARD DO NOT DISPEL
D,, DOUBTS VACANCY SHOULD BE ADVERTISED.
IF ADVERTISED HIGH LEVEL SELECTION COMMITTEE
( rNC. CHAIR MAN PSB AT LEAST ONE PERMANENT HEAD
AND OUTSIDERS) TO INTERVIEW CANDIDATES.
6. SELEGTIO COMNITTEE LISTS 3 OR MORE MOST SUITABLECANDIDATES
IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE GOES TO
MINISTER AND PW,
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7, MINISTER INTERVIEWS CANDIDATES PUT FORWARD.
IN THIS WAY PROPER PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED
AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE PUBLLC SERVICE PROTECTED,
8. GOVERNi. MEINT WILL NOT BE PRECLUDED FROMv APPOINTING
OUTSIDERS WITHOUT ADVERTISEMENT BUT IN SUCH
CASES IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCCEEDING
GOVERNMENTS CAN REVIEW SUCH AN APPOINTM[ ENT.
IN OTHER WIORDS. SUCH AN APPOINTMENT WOULD
HAVE NI1P ERMANENCY ATTACHED TO IT.
THESE RULES APPLY TO ALL FUTURE APPOINTMENTS.
THEY WILL NOT APPLY RETROSPECTIVELY, WE WILL
NOT ALTER THE RULES UNDER WHICH PAST APPOINTMENTS
HAVE BEEN MADE, WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT. ONE MISTAKE
CAN BE RECTIFIED BY A SECOND MISTAKE, S-* 1
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UNDER THE LIBERAL-NATION 4L COUNTRY PARTY GOVERNMENT
THE PERiMNENT HEAD OF A DEPARTMENT WILL BE
EXPECTED TO BE THE SENIOR ADVISER TO THE
MINISTER. HE WILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NOT
ONLY INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM HIS DEPARThMENT
SOURCES, BUT ALSO INFORAT ION AVAILABLE FROM THE
WIDER COMMUNITY
OUTSIDE ADVICE WILL BE AND OUGHT TO BE
ACTIVELY SOUGHT,
ALL GROUPS AND SECTIONS OF THE COMIUNITY
MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUT THEIR VIEWS
BEFORE THE GOVERMENMT.
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BUT THE PROCEDURES FOR OFFERING ADVICE WILL
HOT BE ALLOWED TO BE A BATTLE-FIELD OF
ENDLESS CONFLICT,
WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC
SERVICE INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISN1 DOES
NOT PLACE A WvALL BETWvEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE
COMMUNITY, THIS WOULD BE A DISASTER,
PARLIAMENT-ITSELF MUSTl B REVIVD AS HE CENTRAL
FORUM -OF -OUR SYST Ei 0F GOV ERNilMENT*.'
IF THE LIBERAL-MCP ARE RETURNED ON DECEMBER 13*
MAJOR POLICY ANNOUNCEPIENTS WIILL BE MADE IN THE
PARLIAMENLs
AS PART OFURPFLN, JEVIYARLIAIENT, OUR
POLICY OF TAX I NDEX[ TINj IILL AVE AN IMPORTANT
ROLE TO PLAY, I
ONE OF THE 61OST INIQUITOUS EFFECTS OF INFLATION1 HAS
BEEN THE RAPIDLY INCREASING TAX BURDEN OF THE. LAST
FEW YEARS.
PEOPLE ARE PAYING EVERY YEAR A LARGER PROPORTION OF
THEIR INCOMES IN TAXATION THOUGH THIS HAS NEVER BEEN
SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE PARLIAMENT.
A BASIC PRINCIPLE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNIEINT HAS
BEEN OVERTURNED BY INFLATION.
UNDER INFLATION TAXATION INCREASES AUTOMATICALY
IF PARLIAIENT TAKES 0 DECISION, UNDER PRESENT
CONDITIONS PARLIMIENT HAS TO TAKE AN INITIATIVE ONLY
IF IT WISHES TO SOP THE INCREASE IN TAXATION.
THE PROTECTION AFFORDED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE
REQUIRElENT THAT PARLIAMENT.'. ilUST APPROVE INCREASES
IN TAXATION -HAS BEEN AL1OST NULLIFIED BY INFLATION.
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I I TIHEY SEE-1
THEY. WILL TO MEAM.
BRI 1G I NTO THE OPEN SO1' E OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT DEC. S IOIS--. Y SGOVE RlElffL -CARi. TAKE.
THEY' WT L L DKlGOERIEM T: SA USTRALI A'
HONEST AGAIN.
THESE Ui IAUTiH0RISED TAX IINCREASES UAVE BEE1 A M-lAJOR
IF 1OT THE I AJO0 R FACTOR IN I NIF TO'l A RY WlAGE
DEMANIDS AIND THE DESTRUCTION OF BUS!-IESS PROFITABILITY
AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR PROGRAMME OF TAX INDEXATION ,1ILL ESTABLISH THE
PRINCIPLE OF PARLIAEINTARY CONITROL OFTAX. INCREASES
IT WILL ESTABI SH ONCE AND FOR ALL THE PRINCIPLE
OF GOVERNM ENT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TAX INCREASES.
OUR TAX REFOR; 1S WIILL MOT MERELY BE A MAJOR ELEMENT
IN ECONOI0i C RECOVERY,
THEY 1I4LL NAKE DEBATESO-I TAXATION MATTERS MEAN WilHAT
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THERE ARE A NUMBER OF : OTHER REFORMS WHICH
WOUL SIGNIFICANTLY -IKPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE
PERFORMANCE OF THE PARLIAMENT AND WHICH
COULD BE; INTRODUCED IN THE -NEAR FUTURE
ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE.-REFORMS OF PARLIAMENT
AS AN INSTITUTION, WOULD BE TO IMPROVE THE SCOPE
AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS COMMITTEE SYSTEM,
AN ESTI'AtTES OR EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE SUCH AS
EXISTS IN THE HOUSE OF COTMMONS WOULD DO MUCH
TO IMPROVE PARLIAMENT'S CAPACITY TO CONTROL
GOVERNNENT SPENDI NG AND -WATCH OVER THE
S ADMINISTRATION, IT WOULD BE A COMMITTEE
SITTIl1G THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND EXAMINING
THE PRINCIPLES AND-PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY
DEPARTM> ENTS IN THE FORMATION OF ESTIMATES.
-18-
I BELIEVE THERE IS ALSO A VALUABLE ROLE
FOR A STEERING COMitTTEE TO ASSIST INITHE
PASSAGE OF NON-CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION.
SUCH A COMMITTEE COULD DECIDE TO DIRECT
LEGISLATION EITHER TO SPECIAL PURPOSE COMMITTEES
OR TO THE WHOLE HOUSE, SUCH A COKITTEE COULD
PROMOTE MORE CONSIDERED DEBATE IN AN APPROPRIATE.
FORUM.
THESE-ARE JUST T0 EXAMPLES OF PRACTICAL REFORMS
OF -PARLIAMENT.
IT WIILL BE ONE OF OUR PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES TO IMPROVE
THE * PERFORMANCE OF THE PARLIAMENT AND SO
STRENGTHEN ITS AUTHORITY AND PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTION
STO THE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIAa
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A FURTHER PRE7COiNDITION FRTHE. EFFECTI. VE OPERATION
OF THE PARLIAlNENTARY SYSTEIN IS A SYSTEA1 OF
CABINETlr~ GOVERNINE[ IT WIHIC H CAN ARRIVE AT CO-ORDINATED
GOVER! 1AEi; T POLICIESilINISTERIAL INITIATIVE IS ESSENTIAL BUT THE
CABINET -A CABINET OF REASONABLE SIZE -4 NUST
ENSURE THAT THESE INITIATIVES FORN PART OF AiNl
OVERALL. APPROACH TO THE ACHIEVEN~ EiNT OF INATIOINAL
GOALS,
IF THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE SUPPORT US ON DEEM'BER 13
IE491LL N NiEBIATELY ASSERT THE CENTRAL ROLE OF CABINET
I N D EI D IN r, NAT I ONAL-POLICY.
O1N A BASIS OF. CAB IN ET RESPONISBILITY AilD ACCOUNTABILITY
WE' CAN ES-TABLISH SOUND [ 1ANAGBIENT Il' THE ' NATION'S
AFFAIRS,
S AN EFFECTIVELY OPERATING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WILL PROVIDE 1HE FOUNDATION TO IMPLEF, 1T OUR
THREE YEAR PROGRAMME FOR ECONORIC RECOVERY.
NOT MERELY MUST THE FEDERAL GOVERNlENT BE ABLE
TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ITS OWN POLICIES
EFFECTIVELY, IT MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO ORK EFFECTIVELY WITH
OTHER GOVERNMENTS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
SHOULD FACILITATE NOT HINDER STATE AND
LOCAL GOVERNMWENTS IN FORMING AND IMPLEMENTING
THE POLICIES APPROPRIATE TO THEIR OWN AREAS,
S AUSTRALIA IS A FEDERAL COUNTRY AND WILL REM-AIN
SO, IT WILL REMAIN SO FOR GOOD REASON,
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AUSTRALIA HAS VERY CLEAR AND NATURAL
REGIONS LARGELY REPRESENTED BY THE STATES.
AS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE AUSTRALIAN SENATE
REFLECTS THAT FACT, INDEED THE ANERICAN FOUNDING
FATHERS GAVE THEIR SENATE MflORE SUBSTANTIAL
POWERS EVEN THAN OUR SENATE POWERS WHICH
HAVE LED IN AMERICA:; TO THE STATES HOUSE BECOMING
. THE PREDOMINANT CHAMBER,
EVEN IF WE HAD O1S0T ATES, IT WOULD STILL BE
NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF EFFECTIVE
POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEENTATION TO
S FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT POLICIES WOULD HAVE
TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE GREAT NATURAL REGIONS
OF AUSTRALIA.
. THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE QF AUSTRALIAM[ GOVERNMENT
IS CRITICALLY NECESSARY FRO1 ANOTHER VIEWPFOINT
AS' '' iELL.*
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IT IS INCREASINGLY IfIPORTANT THAT A
POLITICALLY AWARE AND ACTIVE POPULATION,
SHOULD BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AN-\ D PARTICIPATE
EFFECTIVELY IN POLITICAL DECISIONS OF
IMPORTANCE.
AS OUR SOCIETY BECOEES LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX
IT IS IMIPERATIVE THAT LOCAL LEVELS OF
GOVERi 1ENTS SHOULD BE REVITALITEDI
ICREASING THE CENTRALI SAT ION OF POWWERGOVR" NMETAL
DANGEROUS.
THE MORE POV: R IS -CENTRALISED THE LESS IS IT
: SUBJECT TO POPULAR INFUECE AD CONTROL
A HIGHLY CENTRALSD -GOVERMENT SEEKING -TOEAf'J
HIGHLY E. .1R E i~ l
M0O R E POTWE R FOR ITSELFIS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE-TO
A COPLEX'; DIV ERSE' CANGING ED'UDC ATED-SOCI ETY.
IT IS TOTALLY INlAPPROPRIATE TO A COUNTRY AS FAR
FLUNG AS AUSTRALIA,
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l -11STEAD OF CEIN-TRAL COINTROL THE RE SHOULD E
IPROVED PROCEDURES FOR CO-O D I NATIO'N VID
CO-OPERATIONi' BETWEEN LEVELS OF GOVERHl" IE NT
ON~ l ,-' ATTERS OF COMM1ON' CONCERI'l
OUR REFORIMS TO FINANCIAL ARRAINGElENTS BETW'EEN
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNNli'iENTS, A[ D THE
COUNCIL FORITRGVRMNA REL. 4TI ONS 1E
WILL-ESTABLI H, WILL DO MrlORE TO0 ACHIEVE THESE
OBJECTIVES THAN ANY. REFORIM TO THE FEDERAL SYSTEI'M
SINCEFF DERATION
THESE REFORMS WI11LL IMA KE I T POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL AiND
STATE GOV E. RilliENTS TO-PLAN AHEAD IN A WAY W, 1HICH HAS
NOPB. 1EEN POSS IBLE_ INi'T HE PAST.
T' EAR E PART OF A. BROADER PROGRrkl'E TO INCES TH
SUBSTANCE AlND EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL G0V ER NEMI tT ' lS
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OUR SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY FOR EXAPLE IN
LINE-WITH THE RECOM. NENDATIONS OF THE
HENDERSON COMiMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO POVERTY,
PLACESSPECIAL WEIGHT ON THE ROLE OF LOCAL
GOVEiRNMIENT IN THE CO-ORDINATION AND PROVISION OF
WELFARE SERVICES AT THE LOCAL LEVELS
WITH SUCH AN EMPHASIS IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE
TO AVOID THE IMPERSONALITY OF CENTRALLY
PROVIDED SERVICES AND TO TAILOR SERVICES TO THE
NEEDS OF THE LOCAL AREA,
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THE NEED TO REFORM OUR INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE
THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS,
AND NOT TO 6HAN'GI N. iG--IORLD-ADP-THAT-THE NEEDS OF
BUREAUCRACY APPLIES, OF. COURSE, NOT MERELY TO GOVERNMENT,
IT APPLIES EQUALLY TO BUSINESS AND THE TRADE UNIONS,
S NO ORGANISATION, WHETHER IT BE A POLITICAL PARTY,
A BUSINESS, OR A UNION HAS ANY INHERENT RIGHT TO
SURVIVAL, ITS JUSTIFICATION IS THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES TO
INDIVIDUALS.
COMPANIES, FOR EXAMPLE; FIND THEIR JUSTIFICATION IN
STHE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY PROVIDE DECENT JOBS',' PROVIDE
WORTHWHILE GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND
SPROVIDE A GOOD RETURN TO THOSE WHO INVEST IN THE],
THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE EXISTENCE OF COMPANIES IS
THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE TO THE COMUNl-TYI
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TRAD E UNIO0NlS F I ND EI. RJUSTIF-ICATIONl-IN THEEXTEiNT
TO IWH I CH THEY INPROVE TH CO1DIi O
THEIR IMEM1BERS-CONSISTENT WITH THE INTERESTS OFTHE
CONMUNITY AS A WHOE
TH BEST COMPANIES"' THE. BEST TRADE UTN
RECOGNEISE_ THIS' SOCI* AL 9B-JEFFFV7_ BUT THERE" ARE
MANY IN1 BOTHi AREAS THAT PGi NOT. 6' WE_ f1UST ENCOURAGE
ALL CONPANIES AND ALL TRA DE UNIONS TO FOLLOW THE
EXANPLE O'f_ THE BEST.
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS STILL GREAT SCOPE TO
H'POET. HE QUALITY OF., AND PARTIC. IPATION-INt
DECISIONS ABOUT. WO1RKING, COND ITIONS.
IT IS OBVIO0US THAT THERE IS STILL A GREAT NEED TO
IN C REASEL-TL -FL EXIB ILLTY WIT H-WH I CUHEOLECA
CHOS TEIR OK T HE RFGT 9-OKi& OU
WHICH. STILL. APP1LY. INl Pt1Y( U S INES SES7-PRECLUD E.
MANY PEOPLE FROM" WORKING IN THEP], GREATER' FLLEXIBILITY'
OF WNORKIING HOURS I1LL f'IEET THE IErEDS-OF' PEOPLE AND
BUSIESSES,
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THERE IS FURTHER, A GREAT NEED TO IMPROVE THE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION BY UNION MEMBERS
IN THE AFFAIRS OF THEIR UNIONS,
ar
OUR POLICIES DEALING WITH PORTABILITY OF PENSIONS
AND SUPERANNUATION SCHEIESI INCREASED WORRKS
CONSULTATION ON SHOP FLOOR MATTERS, OUR POLICIES
ON FLEXIBLE HOURS, SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR WORKING
MOTHERS, AND FOR ELECTIONS IN UNIONS ANID EMPLOYER
ORGANISATIONS WILL ALL flAKE AN IMPORTAiNT
CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE OBJECTIVES,
THE AIM OF OUR POLICIES IS TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH
OF AN AUSTRALIA WHICH IS ADAPTABLE, STRONG AND
CAPABLE OF FACING AND SURMOUNTING CHALLENGES
GOVERNMENT MUST CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE
DEVELOPMIENT OF A VITAL, DYNAMIC SOCIETY. IT MUST
ALSO ENCOURAGE A SENSE OF OUR COMMON INTERESTS
AS A PEOPLE.
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THE PRESEYT ECONOTIC CRISIS CAN ONLY BE
OVERCOME IF THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS ITS OBLIGATION
TO POIN! T THE WAY IF ITS POLICIES ENCOURAGE THE
COOPERATION OF ALL AUSTRALIANS,
WE IN THE LIBERAL AND NATIONAL COUNTRY PARTIES
PLEDGE OURSELVES TO WORK( FOR THAT SPIRIT 1OF
NATIONAL COOPERATION.
I BELIEVE THAT THE PROGRAMt E OJ WHICH WE ARE FIGHTING
THIS ELECTION PROVIDES THE BASIS FOR THAT CO-OPERATION
11I IS A FPROGRAMME WHICH SEEKS TO ADVAiCE THE RIGHT
OF EVERY AUSTRALIAN ATO FREEDOM, SELF-RESPECT, AND A
REAL OPPORTUITY TO FULFIL THEMSELVES IN THEIR LIFE.
IT IS A PROGRAMNE WHICH WILL HELP BUILD AN AUSTRALIA*
WHICH CA SURVIVE IN THE UNCERTAI N WORLD IN WHICH
WE LIVE,
IT IS A PROG RAINME WE ARE PROUD TO PLAlCE BEFORE THE
AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE FOR THEIR JUDGEMENIT,