-r-4 PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 198')
ELECTORATE TALK
Now that the Federal election results have been finalised,
Australia's 32nd Parliament will assemble next Tuesday for its
official opening by the Governor General.
The constitution requires that after any general election,
the Parliament will be summoned to meet not later than 30 days
after the day appointed for the return of the writs. However,
apart from this constitutional requirement, it was the
Government's vidw that a Parliamentary sitting before Christmas
would provide an opportunity for us to get on with the job.
Because the Australian people once again returned my Government
with a substantial majority, we are naturally keen to implement
those commitments which were outlined in my election policy speech
as soon as possible.
An important priority of course is to continue the fight against
inflation. It remains our belief that an improvement in econonT-ic
growth is the most effective way to reduce unemployment.
An important priority of the Government as we enter another
term of office is assistance to Australia's youth, especially
those who are having difficulty finding a job. We have a very
real desire to enable youth to articulate its concerns, and to
take note of that voice. We are also expressing our commitment
to youth through our educational initiatives for those who
are about to leave school and are seeking to join the work force.
It is a difficult time for all young people, and we firmly bel~ ieve
that all possible assistance must be given to educate our young
people for the future. After all, Australia's future lies in
the hands of the young men and women of today. Attention is being
directed in particular to those whose orientation is less academic
and who may leave school early. With this in mind, we have
introduced the School-to-Work Transition programme with a
Commonwealth commitment of $ 150 million over the next five years.,
Young people are being offered a range of options in education
and training as real, meaningful alternatives to the academic
stream, and the Government has further boosted its efforts to
assist young people in making the important st-ep from school
to work by announcing a new transition allowance.
-2
Yet these education and transition initiatives do not exist
in a vacuum. Preparation for work must be followed by th-e
opportunity to work. Another direction of our commitment
to-youth is ensuring that young people are given the opportunity
to gain employment, both through our broad economic strategy
and through training and manpower programmes. Our economic
policies have already led to a gratifying growth in employment
over the past year, and will lead to further improvements
in the future. Our policies have played an important part
in providing an increase of over 200,000 jobs over the last year
including almost 40,000 jobs for-teenagers.
Wle are also taking steps to ensure that young people are
properly equipped to take advantage of the job opportunities
which are in fact opening up. In 1980-81, our manpower,
training and special youth programrmes will help over 220,000
young Australians. We have set aside over $ 100 million for
this assistance which includes subsidies under CRAFT and
the Special Youth Employment Training Programme and assistance
under the Community Youth Support Scheme.
The encouragement given to young people to become involved in
commuunity service, to retain their work orientation and to
develop skills for the future underlines the real contribution
that they can make to Australian society.
The Government considers that the election provides us with
a mandate to continue the basic policies which we have developed
and implemented over the past five years. It is our firm
belief that economic and social progress can only be achieved
on the basis of a firm confidence, both within Australia and
overseas, that the Government of Australia will adopt and
pursue stable, sensible and reliable policies and will always
act in a responsible manner. We will show again that we are
worthy of that confidence by demonstrating a firm resolve to
get on with the job.
Many of us when we gather for the new Parliament, will b e
saddened by the death of a very great Australian and a great
Parliamentarian, Sir John McEwen, who died last Thursday.
It is difficult to know where to begin to praise someone
like the late Sir John. There are many facets of his career
which deserve Darticular mention. I think if I had to single
out one, it would be his dedication to all Australians
Although he was a member of the Country Party, he did represent
all Australians, not only the rural parts of this country.
His career in this Parliament as a Member of the House of
Representatives for an unbroken period of 37 years, during
which time he served as a Minister of State for 26 of them,
including a short period as Prime Minister, is unequalled.
His interest in all things Australian brought about a great
increase in manufacturing industry which enabled us to become
more self reliant. During his period as Minister in Charge of
Manufacturing Industry, there was a great growgth in that
industry. , Some might have thought that there is an odd irony in
that, that as Country Party Leader, that was one of his very great
achievements. It just shows that he was prepared to govern and
adopt policies for all Australians.
3
As. I have said previously, Sir John McEwen was a great
Australian, and a very great Australian leader. I was
honoured and privileged to serve in the Parliament with
him, and to serve in government with him. In addition, he
was a great friend.
My Government and I grieve deeply for him, and our sympathy
goes to his widow, Lady Mary McEwen.