J~ jQQLALr
PRIME MINISTER
E. O. E. -PROOF ONLY
Partial Transcript, PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED BY
JOHN LAWS, 2UE, 11/ 4/ 84
LAWS: Speaking of international markets it would appear that
we have a problem with the Japanese decision on beef imports.
That's going to hurt us a bit, isn't it?
Well, it's too early to say. And I must say John that I'm
terribly disappointed, and I think it's a disappointment that:
you would share with me that the Federal Opposition have broken
a rule a long standing rule of politics that where a Government
is engaged in negotiations on behalf of Australia with another
country to try and protect markets and get increased access.
That's in the past been regarded as sacrosanct, bipartisan
you don't try and score party political points off that. Now
unfortunately this totally dispirited and disappearing opposition
has broken the rules. Now I have re * frained to this stage from
responding on that. On that, I simply want to say that when
I was there we had discussions, not only with the Prime Minister,
but with other people and we were given certain undertakings.
I have written to the Japanese Prime Minister reminding him of
those undertakings. I've had the Japanese Ambassador in.
Mr Kerin leaves today, the Minister for Primary Industry goes
there. This Government could not have more I've spent hours
getting through on the phone to the Prime Minister. My Ambassador
up there has been working and all our officials have been working
too. And may I say that the official representatives of the
rural industry recogniethis and applaud what we are doing. We could not
have done more and we will continue to do everything we can.
What we've got to try and do is to see that there is now that
they have made a decision to increase the quota for the United
States we've got to see that we can get an increase in the amount
that Australia can get under global quota increase. And we are
doing everything we possibly can, and I am certain John that out
of those negotiations there will be an increased tonnage available
to Australia and hopefully I think an increase in the proportion
of that which will be chilled beef which is more valuable.
Now, all those things we are doing, and there is no Government
that could be doing more than we are.
LAWS: Do you believe the Opposition have damaged our chance! s?
Yes, well I think it's not'helpful. I mean it stands to
reason it's not helpful if two things are done. In the Parliament
they have attacked the JapAfese Prime minister accused him
of breaking his word. Before it's possible to judge in any sense
whether that has happened. I don't think it makes sense in a
continued
democracy like ours for an Opposition to be getting up and
saying that while negotiations are going on. I am sure that
doesn't help. And secondly to appear to be making it an
internal political issue doesn't strengthen the hand of the
Government. If in fact this Opposition when they were ins
Government could point to the fact that they had maintained
the share of Australia under the Japanese market of beef
imports under quota that would be one thing. But the
facts are John, that the Japanese beef imports under quota
in the period from 1976 the first year of their Government-
Australia had 82.5% in this last year 67.2%. Now, that's
what happened under their period of office. D~ own from 82*. 5
to 67.2%.
LAWS: What's their excuse for that?
I don't know, other than they were bargaining with
hard bargainers I guess. But, I simply want to make the
point that it would be crazy for us as a Government not to
be doing everything we possibly can to gjet every last ounce
of beef into the Japanese market.
LAWS: But that hasn't been the suggestion surely, that you
don't want it.
Well, what's the criticism that we are not doing our
best, that I should have dashed again up there, that I was
remiss for not immediately racing to Japan well, this is
awful politics and I mean it really is an absurdity that you.
try and get some political advantage out of a situation like this.
If it can be shown that we were not doing everything we possibly
could, that's one thing. If it can be shown also that they
in Government had maintained a share of Australian beef in the
Japanese market that also would be another thing. But thE!
facts are the opposite, they were not able to do that and WE! are
doing everything we possibly canAll I would ask of the opposition
is that they try and realise that they do have a responsibil. ity
in certain areas to support Australia, and not engage in
negative tactics as they are on this.
LAWS: Yes, but doesn't that rather reek of desperation, which
is understandable desperation.
Well, they have reason to be desperate, but ultimately
you would still hope that they were decent people who were
concerned to try and help Australia.
LAWS: Yes, I find it hard to come to terms with the fact that
they could suggest or-could even start to believe that any
Government in respect of whether it is yours or theirs or any
Government wouldn't be doing it's best for the country
otherwise what the hell is it there forc?
Exactly.