FI
12iISj P
PRIME MNISTER
FOR MEDIAW"-EDNESDAY, 25 JTUN, 198 0
The Prime Minister has sent the attached letter to
Mr. J. Brunt of the Australian Meat Industry
Employees Union, Portland. 000---
PRIME MINISTER C ANBSERRA
Dear Mr. Brunt, I wish to confirm that I am prepared to have
arranged a meeting of all parties involved in the live
sheep export industry to examine in depth the problems
you have raised with me. This meeting would involve the
Minister for Primary Industry and the Minister for
Industrial Relations, representatives of the farmers and
the exporters, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and
the Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union.
I have approached both the Ministers and can
confirm that they are willing to take part in the meeting,
provided the conditions laid down at our meeting are agreed
to. These were:
* there would be no picketing of vessels loading live
sheep prior to the meeting;
* any bans and limitations imposed by the AMIEU in relation'
to the export of live sheep are to be lifted, including
those aimed at stock transport operators who were
involved in the transport of sheep to vessels involved
in the trade.
Provided that your members are agreeable to these
conditions, Mr. Street will convene-the meeting within the
next four weeks.
I appreciate your concern for your members and
that you wish to have the issues discussed meangih'gfully by
those involved in the live sheep trade, The proposed meeting
will certainly enable such discussions * to take place. Your
support and the co-operation of your union membership is
essential if such a meeting is to be convened.
Yours sincerely,
( Malcolm Fraser).