PM Transcripts

11 AUSTRL
FOR PRESS 8 OCTOBER 1978
NEW SOUTH WALES ELECTION
I congratulate Mr Wran on his very significant, personal victory.
It was a personal success for the Premier who distanced himself
during the campaign from the ALP, and from traditional ALP
policies in an elect ion fought largely on State issues.
Obviously, I am disappointed with the Liberal result
in New South Wales. Mr Coleman fought a courageous camipaign.
He was handicapped by the briefness of his own term as
Leader of the Opposition, and I much regret that for
the time being at least, Mr Coleman is lost to the Parliamentary
Liberal Party in New South Wales.
Mr Wran depicted his Government as moderate and as seeking
to restrain Government expenditure and to reduce taxation.
He was-able to avoid tax increases over three.-State Budgets
and during the course of this year to offer significant tax
concessions to New South Wales, because of the financial policies
that the Commonwealth Government has introduced over the
same period.
Indeed, it is worth noting that all State Governments have
managed to avoid tax increases over that period. This could not
have happened were it not for the financial arrangements made
by the Commonwealth.
During the campaign, the Premier pointed to the significant
economic progress being made in New South Wales. He pointed
to the improving economic performance in New South Wales industry
and to the fact that the run-away increase in unemployment
had been halted.
Mr Wran claims this as a credit for his government. While not
begrudging him, I do point out that the improvement would not
have been possible had it not been for the overall economic
policies of the Commonwealth Government, policies designed
to overcome inflation and restore profitability.
Indeed, during the elections, Mr Wran said he was at one with the
Commonwealth in its fight against inflation.
The Commonwealth welcomes Mr Wran's support, and the support of
other Premiers in the fight against inflation, I am quite certain
that the economic progress which Mr Wran spoke of during the
course of the elections will be continued in New South Wales,
and in the rest of Australia as a result of the Federal Government's
policies. Clearly, these policies will operate with greater
effect when they have the support of State Governments.