PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS 5 MAY 1977
JOINT STATEMENT ON GOVERNNENT-ACTU-ACSPA DISCUSSIONS
A useful exchange of views occurred on the 1977/ 78 Budget.
There was discussion on the changed emphasis of the NEAT
Programme with its stress on inpiant training and the
contribution which the new Craft Scheme had made. While
the unions acknowledge the improvements which had occurred,
nevertheless they expressed some reservations about particular
aspects of the operation of the * schemes and they will be
submitting a paper on these matters.
There was agreement on the desirability of tri-partite
discussions involving the Minister for Employment and Industrial
Relations and other Ministers where necessary on the development
of manpower policies. It was envisaged that subject to
consultation with the employers such discussions would occur as
soon as the necessary preparatory work on all sides could be
undertaken. Officials would be meeting to work out the agenda
and it was accepted that substantive papers would need to be
prepared by all parties.
The ACTU referred to the legislation which the Government has
already introduced bearing on the industrial relations area and
there was agreement to continue these discussions at the
meeting already arranged between the Minister for Employment and
Industrial Relations and the peak Councils in Melbourne on
Wednesday next, the 11th May.