PRIME MINISTER FRIDAY, MARCH 1 1980
from the Press Office -V
SUMMARY OF NEWSVOICE CANC-R~ rAA
LIBRARY J
A". nass meeting of tanker drivers in Sydney this rxng ed to.
end their strike from tomorrow, but in Melbourne mq be
going back to their jobs until Monday. Despite the msaption of
work, the issue of: secondary boycotts and Se ction 45D of the
Trades Practices Act could lead to further industrial turmoil
in the oil industry.
Mr Varnum:
We have stated our position in relation to secondary boycotts,
and we have made it more clear today. We-have considered that the
issue in relating to secondary boycotts, in fact, was secondary
to this dispute. We believe that the first issue, in fact, and
the only issue, has in fact been an industrial where the livelihood
of our members has been threatened. The position in relation to
secondary boycotts from our point of view indicates that it is
an unjust, the ACTU is opposed to it, it has been exploited by
an employer organisation who are hiding behind it so they can
continue to employ or engage employees in inferior conditions
as if they were engaged under the federal oil stores award.
Question: is still before the court. What will happen if the union is
fined?
Mr Varnum:
Well, our policy is quite strong in relation to that. We have resolved
not to comply with any deci sions, orders or awards made by an civil
courts on industrial issues. And tihe ACTU has a strong policy on it.
We Isupport it. The NSW Labour Council, endorsed a similar policy last
night, and that of course would have the full backing of this union,
In Victoria, the petrol tanker drivers are going back on Monday,
but the State Secretary of the TWU, Mr Davis, said it represented
an uneasy peace. Mr Davris says he is not happy with the proposals
accepted by the Sydney tanker drivers. Says his members are sick
and tired of other people deliberately attacking them all the time.
The Trades Hall Council in Victoria has decided to call a 24 hour
public transport strike in its-campaign against the Workers'
Compensation Act.' The strike is set for the 24th of March. The
strike is intended to hurt employers in an effort to convince them
to lobby the State government into , holding new talks which could
result in a compromise. The Trades Hall believes the new act reduces
the number of workers entitled to workers' compensation, while the
State government says it will cut down on the number of false claims
and increase benefits to genuine cases. / 2
-2
Talks in Canberra aimed at finding a way to overcome bans on the
move! ment of wool are still going on. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser,
and four government ministers, . are meeting with representatives of*
the wool industry. Barry Cassidy reports: " The meeting has been
going on in a crowded cabinet room here in Parliament House since
10.15 this morning. As it became obvious it was going to be a long
day, both the Prime Minister,' and Deputy, Mr Anthony cancelled
afternoon engagements in Victoria. The only representative to emerge
from the meeting so far has been the President of the National
Farmers' Federation, Mr Don Eckersley. He left Parliament House
for a quick trip to his office and he has since rejoined the talks.
He, in a sense, inspired today's talks when he described the Government~ s
role in the dispute so far, as spineless and timid. But, as he emerged
today he was saying nothing, except that there might be a statement
later on.. There are 16 representatives of the wool brokers at the
meeting alone, an indication that strategy mapped out today could
be binding on the industry when it goes into private conference
in the Arbitration Commission in Melbourne tomorrow morning.
Given that wool brokers have already made an offer, however small,
to the striking storemen and packers, part of the reason for the
length of the talks could be due to disagreement among brokers
as to whether-they should tough it out or go to the Commission
tomorrow with a new p roposal."
We have just heard from our Canberra office that the meeting could
last for another two hours.
There were . furcther moves of support for the reorganisation of the
ALP in Queensland today. The Leader of the State Parliamentary
Labor Party, Mr Ed Casey, announced he was joining the interim
administrative committee being set up by the national executive.
Report:" It was all smiles and good will when Mr Casey handed his
letter of acceptance to the Federal ALP Secretary, Mr David Coombe
at Brisbane airport today. Casey told; . reporters he had accepted the
battle was lost and vowed he would concentrate on uniting the party
behing its new image. Mr Casey," I have s aid all along, and the
Parliamentary Labor Party has also stated that there is only one
Labor Party and that is the Australian Labor Party. Now, the Federal
Executive has made a decision. Even though I was an opponent of the
original suggestion , that there was any need for intervention in
Queensland, that particular argumen t was lost a fortnight ago
in Canberra." Mr Coombe praised Mr Casey and his Parliamentary
colleagues for playing a constructive role in'the current transition
in Queensland, and he forecast an early end to the remaining
resistance.* Mr Coombe, " I guess almost a week ago we thought that
the transition was going to be a bit smoother than anybody expected.
Now, we are faced with the reality that there will be a little more
resistance, but I don't anticipate that that will last for long
because what you now have in Queensland is an enormous enthusiasm
with. the democratisation with the party here. Party members and
supporters overwhelmingly are expressing the des; ire to get on with
the job of making Ed Casey the Premier of this State, and : 0ill Hayden'
the Prime Minister of Australia." t
TAAsays bookings ' for.-their super apex discount airfares have
increased by nearly. 500% since the scheme was extended to a year
round basis recently. International Sales Manager interviewed.
An Aboriginal Lands Council Leader who came from north western
Australia to a demonstration today in Pitt Street, Sydney, warned
that several families could die if sacred land in the Kimberleyswas
drilled for oil. Interview with leader../
Sir Charles Court today made . a strong call for more Commonwealth
road funds, and claimed the Federal Government was not fulfilling
its responsibilties to the States. Sir Charles was speaking at an
Australian Automobile Association symposium in Canberra. He said
he supported calls by motoring associations for a large portion of
the petroleum excise revenue to be redirected to road funding.
The Australian and New Zealand governments have been asked to
make firm commitments to closer long term economic ties. In
a lengthy submission to both governments, the Australian New Zealand
Businessmen's Council said it wanted all transTasman trade barriers
to be eventually abolished.