Jj CONSTITUTIONAL Ai] D LCG:\ L Al2FAIRS
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PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA EMBARGO: '. 00 p. m. Eastern
Summer Time,
Wednesday 24 November 1976
Prog. ram A-pproved for The Queen's Visit to Australia
The Queen has approved a program for her visit to
Australia next March accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.
O They will have engagements in the all States
and the Northern Territory in a visit which takes place in the
year of the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty's accession to the
throne. The program will enable large numbers of people to
see The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh informally during their
visits to cities and attendances at sporting events, institutions
and other venues.
O The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will commence
their visit to Australia in Canberra on 7 March and depart from
Perth on 30 March, with a visit to Papua New Guinea from
23 lo 26 March. The Australian Government has arranged with Qantas to
charter a Boeing 707 aircraft to fly the Royal couple from New
Zealand to Canberra, from Adelaide to Papua New Guinea and return
to Australia, and from Perth to the United Kingdom.
Air Journeys by the Royal couple within Australia will
be by RAAF aircraft. The RAAF will also provide backup aircraft
for members of the official party and baggage.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit
Canberra 7-9 March, Queensland 9-11 March, Newi; South Wales
11-14 March, Tasmania 14-16 March, Victoria 16-17 March, South
Australia 20-23 March, Northern Territory 26 NMarch, and Western
2.
Australia 26-30 March.
They will visit all Australian capitals as well
as Queanbeyan, Tamworth and Newcastle in New South Wales and
Geraldton and Albany in Western Australia.
In New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and
Western Australia, the Royal 6ouple will live on the Royal Yacht
BRITANNIA except for one night when they will move to Government
House, Adelaide, to allow the vessel sufficient cruising time to
be in position for the start of their program in Western Australia.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will use
BRITANNIA for transport and rest between official engagements in
New South Wales, between Melbourne and Adelaide, and in Western
Australia. BRITANNIA will also be used by Her Majesty for
entertaining. In Canberra, The Queen will open the second session
of the 30th Parliament on 8 March and afterwards review an
Armed Forces parade on the lawns in front of Parliament House.
Other Canberra engagements include presiding at a
meeting of the Privy Council, receiving heads of diplomatic
missions, a reception at Parliament House, an investiture cerem*
at Government House, and opening the Royal Australian Artillery
Memorial at Mount Pleasant.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel
from Government House via Fyshwick and Queanbeyan ( NSW) to the
RAAF. Base Fairbairn for their departure from the A. C. T. for their
departure from the A. CoT. for Queensland.
There will be occasions in each State when The Du. ke
of Edinburgh will undertake separate engagements. In the main
these will be connected with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.