F77/ 159
FOR PRESS 27 JULY .1977
MESSAGE. TO. MR.. WRAN
The Prime Minister has sent the following messages today to
State Premiers. The first message was sent to Mr. Wran and
the following messages to the other Premiers.
My dear Premier,
I refer to your telex letter of 24 July advising that your
Government is considering the appointment of a Royal Commission
on Drugs arnd seeking Commonwealth co-operation.
May I emphasise at the outset that my Government is deeply
concerned about the sources and illegal use of and the
trafficking in drugs in Australia. It would seem from your
letter that although the inquiry you are considering would
relate to these matters in New South Wales, it would inevitably
raise questions of national significance including the importation
of drugs, their distribution in Australia, their effects
on communities and individuals, and the measures for control
and prevention which should be adopted.
My Government is of the view that because of the national issues
involved it would be more appropriate that a form of national
inquiry be held rather than one confined to the limits of a
particular State.
I would propose therefore that the Commonwealth and State
Attorneys-General should meet urgently to consider the terms
of reference that might be adopted for the purposes of a national
inquiry and the procedures which would be appropriate having
regard to the interests and responsibilities of the Commonwealth
and the States.
I am writing to other State Premiers proposing that all the
States and the Commonwealth join in establishing an inquiry
into drugs* on a national basis. On receipt of their replies
I will communicate with you again. / At the
-2
At the same time my Government would not wish this inquiry
to impede in any way the investigations by your Police
into the disappearance of Mr. McKay at Griffith and quite
clearly these investigations should proceed ahead of any
national inquiry of the nature we suggest.
May I emphasise that the Commonwealth is prepared within
the limits of its resources to assist your Police in these
investigations.
My dear Premier,
You will be aware that recently questions concerning the
sources, illegal use of and -trafficking in drugs have arisen
in relation to the disappearance of a Mr. McKay at Griffith
in New South Wales.
Following his disappearance demands were made for the setting
up of a Royal Commission in that State, and the Premier,
Mr. Wran, has indicated that he is considering such a
Commission. Mr. Wran has written to me informing me of this and seeking
Commonwealth co-operation. This inquiry would be confined
to New South Wales but it seems to my Government that such
an inquiry would inevitably raise issues of national importance
including the importation of drugs, their distribution in
Australia, their effects on communities and individuals, and
the measures for control and prevention which should be adopted.
Needless to say, my Government is greatly concerned about these
matters and has come to the conclusion that it would be preferable
that a form of national inquiry should be established in relation
to this. I have today written to Mr. Wran suggesting this course.
My Government proposes that the Attorneys-General of the
Commonwealth and the States should meet as soon as practicable
to formulate terms of reference for such an inquiry and determine
the appropriate procedures.
I am writing to seek your urgent response whether your Government
would be prepared to co-operate in the manner I have suggested.
If you agree, my Attorney-General will arrange an early meeting
with your and other State Attorneys-General for the purposes I
have outlined.