PM Transcripts

ACTING PRVIE MIN STER
FOR MEDIA 8 JUNE 1983
The Acting Prime Minister, Mr Bowon, today affirmed the
Government's commitment to the detailed development of the
program of national and international events proposed by the
Australian Bicentennial Authority for the celebration of
Australia's Bicentenary in 1988.
He said the celebration of the Bicentenary had received strong
bipartisan support in the past and he hoped that this ' ould
continue. Mr Bowen emphasised, however, that while the previous
Government's commitment of $ 166 million ( at July 1982 prices)
for the 1988 program would stand, there was at this stage no
commitment to individual items in the proposed national and
international program which had been developed by The Australian
Bicentennial Authority.
The emphasis would be on items of lasting benefit to the community
and the matter would be subject to consideration by the
Government in early 1984 following further development and costing
by The Australian Bicentennial Authority and widespread
consultation with the community and interest groups.
In the further development of the Program, the Authority has been
requested to give particular emphasis to Aboriginal involvemnent
and to aspects of concern to women.
The Authority has also been requested to review the program to
examine the auestion of Commonwealth support for the participation
of local government and community groups in the Bicentenary.
Government Departments and Authorities have. been requested to
work closely with the Authority in the development and
implementation of the program.