EMBARGO: 7.00 p. m.
PRIM MUTAINISTE
FOR PRESS 11 DECEMBER 1977
ELECTORATE TALK
I would like to thank the people of Australia for the confidence
they have -shown in my Government. They have shown that
confidence because the Government has operated as a team.
Nobody could have been a better lieutenant than Doug. Anthony, the
Deputy Prime Minister.
. All the members of the team have worked with a common purpose,
a common objective and a common wish -and that is to serve
Australia and overcome-the economic problems that Australia faces,.
I also believe that the depth of the vote is attributable
to the capacity of the Australian people to judge the merit of
policies even though difficult decisions are involved.
I-would like to repeat something I said two years ago,-. the
purpose-of my Government is to govern for all the people of Australia
wherever they may be, whatever walk of life, whatever job they
undertake, whether they are third, or fourth, or fifth generation
Australians, or whether they have recently come here from
_ other lands.,
The purpose of my Government is to govern with fairness and
justice for all groups, for all people. I renew that pledge.
We still have substantial economic problems to overcome.
In the three years ahead I have not the slightest doubt that
* Australians-working together will be able to overcome those problems.
But. I also want to' commit my-Government to another objectiveto-:
reach orut beyond the bounds of politics, to seek to emphasise
* those . things that ought to unite all Australians in common purposes,
and in common objectives, emphasising those matters which
make Australia a great nation.
If we can do that we can lessen the divisions between us and increase
the sense of national identity and common purpose.
Finishing the task of overcoming Australia's economic problems and
reaching out for that much wider objective are the two major
objectives before us. o../ 2
At the same time we will continue to seek to remove areas of
disadvantage in Australia, to enhance individual liberty and
to seek justice for all Australians.
I commit my Government for the
these objectives. next three years to work towards -ML