PM Transcripts

bAU1T1AL1A.
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 21 June 1984
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE PREMIER OF VICTORIA
The Prime Minister, Mr Hawke, and the Victorian Premier, Mr Cain,
today applauded the ACTU decision over the BLF picket line
at the MCG.
" The decision is the only proper course for the ACTU because
the BLF has flouted tha industrial law of this country and
the rules of the peak union council.
" The conduct of the BLF on the picket line has been disgraceful
and contrary to the very spirit of trade unionism in this
country." The Prime Minister and Mr Cain were notified by the ACTU
Secretary, Mr Kelty, late today that the ACTU officers had
decided to formally advise the TWU that the picket on the MCG
lights project was not authorised.
Mr Kelty said in his telex to the TWU that:
" The ACTU officers have today decided to formally advise
that the BLF picket in respect to the MCG lights is not
authorised and accordingly the ACTU does not expect
unions to recognise it.
' This decision has been made on the grounds that:
Cal the BLF did not follow ACTU policy in respect
to picketing; and
the BLF has advised on more than one occasion
that it is not prepared to follow ACTU policy
in respect to demarcation in relation to this
site."
Mr Hawke ' and Mr Cain discussed . the issue today and they have
fully endorsed the ACTU's action.
" It is our fervent hope that the BLF will now withdraw its picket
and allow those unionists who have been awarded the work on the
lights to go about their duties
" Clearly, the picket has no support from any unions affiliated with
the ACTU.
" Mr Gallagher should now apply his own oft-quoted dictum and
' cop it sweet'."