PM Transcripts

' 7
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 22 FEBRUARY, 1981
BY-ELECTIONS McPHERSON, BOOTHBY, CURTIN,
I congratulate Peter White, Steele Hall, and Allan Rocher on
their election to the House of Representatives, and look
fOrward to the contribution I know each of them can make to'
the Parliamentary Liberal Party.
The results are a clear demonstration of the continuing
support in Australia for the Government's responsible approacha
to national policy.
I would like to thank all those members of the Liberal-Party
who have worked so hard to win these three seats, particularly
considering that the by-elections have occurred so soon after
the general election last year.
The fact that the Labor Party's share of tLie vote has been
reduced in at least two of the seats is a remarkable achievement.-
Voters in three States have once again decisively rejected the
high tax, centralist policies of the Labor Party.
They have also rejected those whc have rushed forward with
ill-prepared and impractical schemes for change. The McPherson
result is particularly pleasing in this regard. Voters have
shown that they will not support the introduction of divisive
tactics into Federal Coalition politics.
The attempt of the State National Party in Queensland to
undermine-coalition principles has been condemed by the people
of McPherson in their vote.
I hope that the National Party in Queensland now realises that
there is no future in divisive politics. Its clumsy and
divisive approach to the McPherson by-election has failed. It
is important for the National Party in Queensland to learn the
lesson of that failure.
Let it take note when I say quite plainly that I will not at any
time allow the Federal Coalition to be disrupted by such tactics.
The voters have made their judgement.
Australia is making tremendous progress under the Fraser/ Anthony
coalition. The unity of that coalition has never been stronger
and is the firmest security for Australia's prosperity and progress.
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