PRIME MINISTER 22 FEBRUARY 1979
From the Press Office
SUMMARY OF ABC'S 7: 45_ AMNEWS_
In a sudden and dramatic move last night, the Minister for
Finance, Mr. Robinson, resigned from the Ministry. No reason
was given by Mr. Robinson or the Prime Minister.
Duncan Fairweather reports Mr. Robinson's resignation came
without warning: According to those close to Mr. Robinson
he had become increasingly disenchanted with Mr. Fraser's
leadership. They explained this was probably brought to a
head when the Prime Minister apparently agreed with
Mr. Bjelke Petersen on a Queenslander Senate ticket favouring
the National Party to which Mr. Robinson objected.
Leader of the Opposition, MR. HAYDEN, said last night,
Mr. Robinson's resignation amounted to a vote of " no confidence"
in Mr. Fraser from a senior Minister. Mr. Hayden: " Mr. Robinson
has resigned as a protest at the autocratic manner in which
Mr. Fraser conducts the affairs of the Cabinet and of the country.
Mr. Robinson is no longer prepared to be over-ridden on important
matters of policy where it is his responsibility to provide
advice and where the Prime Minister doesn't like it. In those
circumstances it is clear Mr. Robinson feels he cannot share
the collective responsibility of important decisions of the
Prime Minister imposed on the Cabinet in the area of economic policy".
Chinese troops are reported to have entered a second provincial
capital in their invasion of Northern Vietnam. Reports say
Chinese troops stormed into town of Cao Bang yesterday and fierce
fighting is going on inside the town.
The United States and three European countries have called for
an urgent meeting of the Security Council to discuss the
situation in Indo-China and its impact on world peace.
Soviet Union has renewed its warning to China to pull out of
Vietnam before it is too late.
Federal Government has given the go-ahead for General Motors
Holden to build its $ 210 million engine plant in Victoria.
Minister for Industry and Commerce, Mr. Lynch announced decision
in Parliament last night. Has already been unfavourable
reaction from the unions and the Opposition. ACTU has arranged
a meeting of several vehicle industry unions in Melbourne today
to discuss the plan. The Government's decision will mean changes
to the local content plan. Federal Secretary of Federated
Ironworkers Union, Mr. Laurie Short, said he believed the
Government had acted with undue haste. GMH's Managing Director
hailed the Government's decision as a milestone in the re-structuring
of Australian manufacturing at large.
Repco, biggest maker of car parts in Australia, has announced
a 50 percent profit increase in six months to the end of last year.
Iran's new regime has announced it will hold a referendum
within a fortnight. People will asked whether or not they want
an Islamic Republic. Trouble continues in the country: reports
of fighting and casualties. / 2
2
There may be further Federal intervention in the Queensland
Branch of the ALP. Queensland's Labor Senator, Jim Keefe,
told the Party's State Conference in Rockhampton he has
filed six charges against the branch with the Party's
Federal Executive. The charges allege the Queensland branch
broke Labor Party rules when it stripped the Federal Leader,
Mr. Hayden, of his right to appoint Senator Georges as his
stand-in in the ALP's Queensland Administrative Committee.
ASEAN countries have decided that negotiations with Australia
on their air fares dispute will be held on a collective
and not a bilateral basis. Was agreed at the ASEAN economic
minister's meetinq which ended in Kuala LumDur early this mornina.
Federal Government is looking at ways to employ more handicapped
people in Government deoartments. In Senate yesterday, Senator
Carrick said Telecom had adopted a policy of employinq
disadvantaged persons and he hoped other Commonwealth bodies
would follow suit.
Commercial Bank of Australia has declared a profit of $ 18 1/ 2
for the six months to December last year. Is up nearly 40 percent
on same period in 1977.
Carribean island of St. Lucia has become independent.
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