PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 1 OCTOBER 1978
ELECTORATE TALK
Australians understand that unemployment a problem which
concerns governments throughout the world is complex and
not given to simple or instant solutions.
The Government has made it plain that we regard unemployment
as one of the greatest social problems in Australia.
Unemployment can and does cause disillusionment, frustration,
family anxieties and hardship. It's a cruel waste of
community resources a waste Australia cannot afford.
Our concern about unemployment is more than words in Parliamentary
debate. It's more than images. Long before the current debate,
the Government looked ahead and set a number of significant
actions in train.
In October 1976 we set up the Williams Inquiry into the
relationship between education and training and re-training
programmes. This wide-ranging inquiry the first of its kind
for more than a decade followed our concern to make sure
that our education system met the special needs of individuals
and the requirements of the labour market.
The results should be available shortly. It's a report that
should provide the basis for the States and the community to be
involved in its implementation.
More than a year ago, the Government initiated an inquiry under
the chairmanship of Sir John Crawford, to suggest ways in which
Australian industry might best adapt to structural change.
When that important report becomes available, it will merit the
closest study by governments, employers, unions and other groups
in the community.
Just two years ago, the Government set up a separate Department.
of Productivity. We wanted to assist Australian industry
improve productivity and adapt to technological change.
Time and events have shown we acted with foresight.
That Department, under the active leadership of Ian Macphee, is
carrying out valuable work. It has been successful inJ
developing Joint programmes involving management, unions and
State governments in finding ways to increase productivity
particularly through new technology in highly protected
industries. Such close consultations are now underway in the footwear,
clothing, textiles, forging, tyre, tanning and whitegoods
industries. In 1976, the Government also commissioned a detailed examination
of the Commonwealth Employment Service. That inquiry reported
late last year. We acted on the report to upgrade the C. E. S.
to make it a modern, efficient employment and counselling service.
The recent decision to establish a top-level Cabinet committee
under Tony Street's chairmanship to review thoroughly the
basis of industrial relations in Australia and their relationship
to employment is also closely related to this whole issue.
Is the Government meanwhile doing enough to alleviate the hardship
of unemployment while our other objectives fall into place?
The Government offers help to those who do not have jobs and is
providing particular assistance to young unemployed. The N. E. A. T.
Scheme, the Special Youth Employment Training Programme, and
other programmes, are designed to do just this. The programmes
are adapted, changed and improved as we gain further experience
with them.
More than 60,000 young people have already been helped by the
Special Youth Employment Training Programme since its introduction
in October 1976. There are another 40,000 people now in
training under the Scheme.
A further 45,000 young Australians have been helped-under the
Community Youth Support Programme. Also, the Experimental
Programme for Unemployed Young People provides special remedial
education to those young people who have never had a fair go
in their lives.
These are on-going programmes on-going commitments that will
not be stifled by any lack of Government funds.
I have made it clear that in the months ahead the Government will
be virorously seeking to involve the community in the challenge
of unemployment. The Government cannot work alone. We cannot
act in isolation in tackling the problem. We need community
involvement, community co-operation. Government, unions, management,
social welfare groups, education authorities all have a part
to play.
That is one reason Mr Hamer' s initiative in calling a working
conference to discuss the whole question of change and unemployment
deserves strong support.
The Minister for Productivity, and officers of that Department,
will attend the conference. The Department which has been / 3
working with the States on these issues has particular knowledge
and expertise and will certainly make a constructive contribution.
It's work has been on a region by region, industry by industry,
company by company basis.
Ian IMacphee's Department will also be closely involved in the
Steering committee in establishing the programme and guidelines
for the conference.
The Government earnestly hopes that other States will follow
Mr Hamer's lead.
There is no question that working groups discussions at a State
level, with Federal Government support, can help us get to the
heart of the unemployment problem.
Governments, unions, management and the community can learn
from each other at first hand and build a constructive climate
for debate and policy-making.
This kind of working conference is away from the Canberra
environment where temptation for political grandstanding often
seems irresistable to some participants. People come to Canberra
and leave the problem on the steps, of Parliament House, and then
they depart. But this kind of conference can add greatly to a
national resolve to overcome the problem.
The Government's commitment to overcoming unemployment is
absolute. Our concern for the unemployed remains a high priority.
We will continue to demonstrate that concern by our complete
determination to keep on with the fight against inflation.
There is no doubt whatsoever, this unrelenting course is in
the best long-term interests of Australia.
For this is the only way which will restore basic economic
health and growth to our nation a growth so necessary to
providing more jobs for Australians.