J> AUSTRAL IA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 29 Marqh 1983
In my invitation to representatives of many sectors of the
Australian community to the National Economic Summit conference
I sought views as to matters that should be covered by the
Conference Agenda.
I have been gratified by the many considered and detailed
responses that I have received.
Consultations have also been taking place with representatives
of employers and the A. C. T. U. on the broad shape of an agenda
for the conference.
In addition, a number of inquiries about the agenda have been
received from conference participants who are preparing
submissions.
I have decided therefore, to release the attached draft agenda
for the conference.
The draft will be discussed further with a Conference Steering
Committee that I will be convening shortly, and will be subject
to adoption by the conference itself.
This conference will be dealing with some of the most pressing
national economic issues ever faced in this country and I am
confident that participants will wish to see discussion
concentrated on those fundamental issues.
The draft agenda has, therefore, been couched in broad terms
so as not to restrict discussion that will make a real
contribution to an understanding of our current economic
difficulties, while at the same time focussing discussion
of possible solutions on the crucial issues.
The structure of the Conference Steering Committee will be
myself, two of the Premiers, two employer representatives and
two ACTU representatives.
However, the conference cannot be an occasion for detailed
discussion of specific sectoral problems and measures.
The Government will be providing other forums for discussion of
such problems, including the Economic Planning Advisory Council,
industry advisory councils, advisory councils to ministers
and pre-Budget discussions.
AGENDA
1. BASIC DIRECTIONS AND OBJECTIVES
keynote address by Prime Minister and opening
statements by States, Employers, ACTU, small
business and ACOSS
major expositions by Government ( Treasurer),
Employers and ACTU on dimensions of current
economic problems and the broad ingredients
of appropriate remedial measures.
2. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
general contributions from other participants
on problems and solutions.
3. STRATEGY FOR RECOVERY
discussion of central policy issues identified
by Steering Committee, within following broad
areas incomes and prices guidelines ( including hours
and conditions of work) and machinery,
the macro-economic policy framework,
industrial development, including savings,
profitability, investment, industry assistance,
technology, infrastructure, the fiscal and
industrial relations environments, etc.
supportive policies,
follow-up to the conference ( including EPAC)
4. CONFERENCE CONCLUSION