PM Transcripts

WAES PAUSE
( Statement by the Acting Prime Minister,
the Rt lion J Anthony, C. H. M. P.)
The Commonweal th submiss ion for a 12--month w: iges and
salaries pause in the private sector w. i I be heard by the
Conciliation and Arbitration Conrm. issi on on Thursday. The
Government is hopeful, of a successful outcome at that hearing.
Legislation to implement a 12-month waqes and salaries
pause in the public sector will be introduced in the House of
Representatives tomorrow afternoon.
The Government has also considered the proposal made
by the ACTU last Thursday for a conference on the economy
involving the Commonwealth and State Governments, the ACTU and
employer representatives.
The Government seeks the active support of the ACTU for
measures to relieve pressure on employment, and believes he
proposal merits longer-term consideration.
It believes, however, that current economic conditions,
especially the very real threat to jobs posed by further wage
rises, make it imperative to successfully implement a: soon as
possible the wages and salaries pause agreed to at the Spec. ail
Premiers Conference last week.
CANBERRA 13 December 1982