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JikAUSRiA
FOR PRESS 15 JANUARY 1979
STRENGTHENED LIAISON WITH ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
The Prime Minister today announced that back bench Members
of the Government Parties would be available in each State
to assist the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs with
promoting liaison with ethnic communities.
Mr Fraser said that the Galbally Report on Migrant Services
and Programs and the Government's acceptance of that Report
had been very well received in these communities.
The Government was determined to have established lines of
communication with the migrant population. The Minister for
Immigration and Ethnic Affairs however, had found it virtually
impossible to accept all invitations for him to visit or attend
functions organised by the various ethnic organisations and
communities throughout Australia.
The Prime Minister said the State nominees would be ready on
occasions to stand in for the Minister, to continue the
development of the positive information to them and to relay
their views back to the Minister.
The nominated members are:
New South Wales
Victoria
Western Australia
South Australia
Tasmania Queens land
Australian Capital
Territory
Northern Territory Mr Cadman, Mr Connolly
Mr Falconer, Mr Simon
Mr McLean
Senator Messner
Senator Walters
Mr Hodges
Mr Haslem.
Senator Kilgariff
Ir I
AIR FARES
Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Trade and Resources; Mr Anthony, at Southport.
People who are criticising the Minister for
Transport Mr Nixon on international air fare negotiations
are talking either through their hat or their pocket.
Mr Nixon has done a fantastic job in
negotiating significant reductions in airfares not only for
Australians travelling overseas but for people from other
countries coming to Australia.
He has insisted-. that cheaper fares for Australians
must be matched by cheaper fares for visitors to Australia.
Untimately ' these arrangements will be very beneficial not only
for Australian travellers but for the Australian tourist
industry. In discussions this morning with the Gold Coast
Visitors Bureau it was emphasised to me that for tourist areas
outside Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to benefit, the question
of " add-on" fares must be examined.
The Government is in fact discussing this question
with both international and domestic airlines. In the meantime
if wewant more foreign tourists to visit areas outside the capital
cities the first step is to persuade them to come to Australia.
I am not aware of any strong reaction from ASEAN
countries following the air fare negotiations which have commenced
with those countries. The discussions held in Canberra last week were
cordial and I know that Mr Nixon hopes that cheaper air fares
from Australia to all ASEAN countries and return will be the
outcome of the negotiations.
January 1978.