4, > AUSTRAI 4
PR-ME~ RINESTIER
7 EX TALKBACK, LAUNCESTON, TASMANIA LEON RYNER WITHTHE PRIME MIN~ ISTERc
9.30 AM 23.10.84
BYNER: HAVE YOU HAD TIM[ YET TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL
DEBATE WITH ANDREW PEACOCK5 MAYBE THE 22ND or NOVEMBE. R?
HAWKE; I THINK THE TIMING IS STILL A MATTER-OF DISCUSSION.
THAT WE'RE QUITE HAPPY TO HAVE THE DEBATE. WE THIN~ K WHAT IT'S HAVE A TELEVISION
WE'VE SAID,*: LEON, IS
PR~ OBABLY BETTO BE
DONE AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN CANBERRA AND I THINK REALLY THE . NATIONAL
PRESS CLUB OUGHT TO HAVE ITS VIEWS EXPRESSED TO US. WE'LL HAVE OUR BIT OF AN
INPUT AS TO WHAT WE THINK's APPROPRIATE. BUT I JUST AM QUITE HAPPY TO'HAVE
THE DEBATE. I MEAN, I DEBATE THE CHAP IN PARLIAMENT REGULAPZLY, AND EVERYONE
KNOWS THE RESULT.
BYN ER:
WE ARE A WEEK INTO THE CAMPAIGN. THE STYLE OF THE OPPOSITION LEADEIR IS
STARTING TO COME THROUGH, THE WAYi HE IHiTENDS TO PORTRAY HIIMSELF', PftESl'NT H23
POLICIES, THE REPETITION OF WEALTH TAX, CAPITAL GAINS, DEATH DUTIE. S. rOW,
APART FROM A SENSE OF DEJA VU, THIS SORT OF -rmING HAS WORKED BEFORE', IIASN'T
IT? HAWKE; WELL, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DRAW COM4PARISONS EASILY, BETWEEN 1984 ANID EARLIER
TIMES. THE BASIC REASON FOR THAT, LEON, IS THAT YOU'VE HAD A LADOR GOX'ERNi'Elff
IN OFFICE NOW SINCE THE BEGINNING OF ' 83 AND IT HAS PRODUCED A RESULT, AND THE
PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAK( E JUDGEMENTS ON FACTS. YOU SEE, TH. E PROBLEN I1JITH THE
OPPOSITION ALWAYS, AND PARTICULARLY WITH THIS LEADER OF THE OPPOSIT10%' IS HE
TREATS THE AUSTRALIAN ELECTORATE As FOOLS. LET tIE BE PRECISE. ALL IIE EARD
FROM THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION FOR MONTHS WAS ORGANISED CRIME INM GENERALD
AND ATTACKS ON MY CHARACTER IN PARTICULAR. NOW TO 0O THAT* ITWA A
ABSURDITY TO SUGGEST THAT I IJAS A CROOK, THAT I'D BE PROTECTINUG2 ORG ANISED
CRIME, WAS MANIFESTLY ABSURD, AND IT INVOLVED A-JUDGEMENT ON THE PART ' OF THE
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION THAT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA POULD BUY THA~ T SCRT OF
NONSENSE. HIS CREDIBILITY WAS 0O" THE LINE AND'Tfll'/' V E K. DE THEIR'~ UThI
ABOUT HIM, AND IT'S QUITE CLEAR WHAT THEY SAY ABJOUT HIM. VNW CRJID-1BLITV X'S
AT THF HFART OF TT ARATN, AND 11F'S TRlYING TO INSTIL FEAR INTO PEOPLE, TDSAY
LOYOu CAN'T TRUST THIS G0Vr. RH14, NT. NO.-I, I THINNK THE PEOPLE AnW su1.
SAYING, UILLL LOOK UVE SAW YOU FOR SEVEH YCARS, YOU HAD ' ZVEN VimsR I Onfl
POLICY, FOR ECONOMIIC POLICY. YOU BROUGHT THIS GOVCERU1ET TO 17S IXFEE.
I
A V1 L. A ri .~ LJS . I a. co I sf -s J
2.
WE'VE SEEN MR HAWKE AND HIS ( rOVFRWMrNT FROM THE BEGINNING OF 183 AND.: riIEYlvc
TURNED THIS ECONOMY ROUND. FROM ONE OF RECESSION TO THE H16HES1 RAJTE OF
ECONOMIC CROWTI IN THE WORLU, INFLATION HALVED, frTIEK01 MAILS OUTj, 26D 000
J1OBS AGAINST A RI. SE OF A QuAK ILK U A MILLION IN UNEMPLOYMENT IN TOIE. J. AST
TWELVE MONTHS WITH YOU MOS. NOW THESE ARr THE THINGS THAT ARE IN VHgjR MINDS
AND I DON'T THINK YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE PAST BEFORE WE WERE IN GOVIEi rJM; NT.
PEOPLE MAKE THEIR JUDIWNENTS, LEON ON THE FACTS.
SYNFR:
AS YOU KNOW, TASMANIA I$ A VERY PAROCHIAL STATE. AND V'M-WONDERIN0 WHETHER
YOU'RE SURPRISED AT Ml( kACOCK'S ACQUIESCENCE TO THE REQUEST FROM AU. ST'RAL IA S
ONLY LIBERAL PREMIER ON THE DAN ISSUE.
H-AWKE:
14FII TO SAY I'M SURPRISED IS UNDERSTATING IT, LEON. BECAUSE IS 00NO1UR
QUESTION OF THE CRFDIRTITY1 01 MR PLACOCK AND THE LIBERALS. EARLI~ qR T
YEAR, ON THE 31ST OF MAY, THE OPPOSITION SPOKESMIAN, MR CONINOLLY. L OTE ' TO THE
WILDERNESS SOCIETY, AND LCT IT BE KNOWN THAT THE POS17110N OF THE OP PO~ jITIoij
WAS THAT THE DAM ISSUE WAS DEAD. HE SAID IT'S OVE. R, WE EXPECT THE TASMANIAN
GOVERNMENT AND COMMONWEALTH GOVERNNFNT TO ADIIEREC TOIT-COMPENSATi9N1. S BEEN
PAID, IT'S FIXED. AND MR PEACOCK CAME DOWN HERE AND ONE (. NDERSTOOD TqAT THAT
WAS HIS POSITION WHEN HIE CAMC DOW4N HLRL. BUT HE RESPONDED TO M; R GRAY'. S
SUGGESTION THAT IT COULD STILL 6L ALIVE. NOW4 THAT IS SOMETHING THAT t CELIEVE
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF TASMANIANS DON'T WANT, EVEN THOSE WHO PJERE
PREVIOUSLY IN FAVOUR OF THE DAM. THEY ACCEPT WHAT MR GRAY SAID ONl ITHE .6TH OF
JUNE OF THIS YEAR, THIAT MR HIAWK( E HAS KEPT HIS PROIMISES IN REGARD To'J035R
IN REGARD TO FUTURE PONFR REQUIREMENTS. NOW, L'OR5E THJAN RAISING Ii AGAIN, 14F
SAID# WELL WE WANT TO KEEP 11' ALIVt ANI) WL WON'T GIVE YOU BACK [ 401FY 3F. AT'S
BEEN PAID UNDER THE AGREEMENT, IF W4E TRY AND RESURRECT THE DAM. Nol. I .1TfthIN
THAT ORDINARY TASMANIANS, AS ORDINARY AUSTRALIANS SAY IF A DEAL IS. DONED
AND PARTICULARLY IF" MOINEY'S PAID UNDER A DEAL, THIN MY HONOUR ANiD INTECRITY'S
ON THE LINE. THAT'S WHAT THE ORDINARY AUSTRALIAN SAYS, AND I THIF K T11EV WILL
BE REPULSED BY THIS WELCHINC.
BYNER: PRIME MINISTER, THOSE EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS YOU PUT FORWARD UNDER THE: C0.1" PENSATION
AGREEMENT, LIKE ABC TELEVISIONv CO~ tO* EALTlI BUILDINGS0 SURELY YOU CAN* SEE
MR GRAY'S POINT THAT TH-1EY'RE HARDLY STATE RFSPONSIBILIT. IES? I'M W: D( I2
t-IIECTIIER OP NOT YOU'LL BE UILLIrNC TO SPEAK TO MA CRAY AND MAAYBC ThilAkI 7119
OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL. / RAl: XC: LOON ' THE RET
HAWKE: LOOK THE ARRANGEMENT IS QUITE CLEAR, AND I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF C LARIFYING
THEE WAY A COUPLE OF MY REMARKS WERE INTERPRETED YESTERDAYs IN REGARD ~ 1O THE
WYNYARD AIRPORT. I SAID, HERE'S MR GRAY PUTTING UP OUR MONEY IN RESPECT OF THE
PROPOSAL. N~ IJST SHOULD ELABORATF ON THAT, UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT5THAT HE
WILLINGLY ENTERED INTO BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT, IQ GRAY,
WIE SAID TO FINALISE THE EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PART OF OUR UNDERTAKING, IT WAS
MILLION. THAT WAS COMMONWEALTH MONEY UNDER AND THAT'S THESEN.$ E I
WIAS REFERRING TO OUR MONEY, BUT THE ARRANGEMENT WAS THAT HOW THAT tmN0E 1AS
SPENT WOULD BE A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN MR GRAY, TH -E TASMANIAN tOVERNm1ENT
AND MYSELF, THE COMVMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT. NOW WH11EN I SAY OUR MON4EYO I uAS
SIMPLY SAVING IT'S THE COMMONWEALTH'S MONEY THAT'S BEING PROVIDED BUT IT'S A
JOINT DECISION AS TO HOLI IT SHOULD BE USED. NOW PICKING UP YOUR SPEC. IFIC,
POINT, MR GRAY PUT UP CERTAIN PROPOSALS, AS HE WAS ENTITLED TO, AND W-E'VE PUT
UP CERTAIN PROPOSALS. NOll IF IIE CAN'T GET ORIG3INAL AGREEMENT, HELL TwENl UEVEv
JUST GOT TO HAVE FURTHER NEGOTIATION AND IT ILL BE WORKED OUT. NOUl, wou
POINTS A6OUT IT, ONE OF GENERAL INTEREST TO TAS5WxNIANS AS A WIHOLE, AND ONE
OF VERY PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THE PEOPLE OF LAUNCESTON. 11HERE TI1EW9' 3EEN
REFERENCE TO A ULRTAIN W-ORKS PROGRAM, tVLIICH ATTACKS JUST SAY ABC TELEVXSION9
ALL lHIAI' WA5 SAID THCRE IS THlAT TH4ESE PP. Ui{ T AxPF TMPLYV NOT ON 111L FPROURQi
FOPR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR UNDER THE NORMAL PROGRAI& 2ING OF FINANCIAL CC. * 2IIT[ HNTSO
BUT BECAU.~. IT WOULD rE 30OM-ICTINC TIII\ T COULD PPOVIDE IJORq HtZEDIATELY P2D
COULD BE OF IflIIEDIATE ASSISTANCE, WELL 1,11N OMINATED THEM9 BUT AS F0R AS
LAUNCESTON 0 LONCERNED, WHAT RR GRAY IS KNOCKING BACK, AND) THhll USv
IS THAT WE PUT UP $ 4 MILLION FOR UPGRADING THE SEWERAGiE SYSTEM IN LAUNCESTON.
NOVW THE PEOPLE OF LAUNCESTON HAVE BEEN TO US,, THROUGH 1-2 UREN 11E'VE SENT
ENGINEERS DOWN HERE TO STUDY THIS SYSTEM. WE KNOW IT'S A REAL PROUL~ t-ECECAUSE
OF ITS OUTDATED SYSTEM IN OPERATION AND WE'VE BEEN PREPARED TO M'AIKE $ 4 MILLION
AVAILABLE. CYN ER:
BUT THAT UAS ACTUALLY PART OF itlE ( 0MPENSATION FUND?
I IAUKE:
THIS IS $ 4 MILLION OUT OF THE $ 15 MILLION FORt EMIPLOYMENT PROJECTS. UE . lILL
SAY OK HERE'S $ 4 MILLION, UNDER THAT SCHEME, SO WE CAN GET GOIN4G WME"'. DIATELY
ON THE SEWERAGE PROBBLEr1S IN4 LAUNCESTON.
BYNER: WHAT ROSIN GRAY IS SAYING, I THIN"(, PRIME 14IN) STER0 IS THAT UIE SlOCUILD 11j'E
GOT 11HAT $ 4 11ILLION OUTSIDE THE $ 15 MILLION, BlECAUSE YOU SWOULD Mh CEIT
4.
ANYWAY. HAWKE: BUT EVERY PREMIER AROUND AUSTRALIA IS SAYING IN RESPECT OF THEIR Ot) N AREAS
OF RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER ALL SEWERAGE. IS* A STATE HATTER. NOT SOAETH NG
THE COMMONWEALTH DOESN'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SEWERAGE ALL ROQND.
AUSTRALIA. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. BUT WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS ALRIGHT! HERE IS
A REAL PROBLEM IN LAUNCESTON. WE'VE SENT ENGINEERS DOWN HERE TO MA~ KE THEM
AVAILABLE UNDER MR UREN'S DEPARTMENT, TERRITORIES AND LOCAL GOVERK'iENT, AND
THE PEOPLE OF LAUNCESTON AT THE COUNCIL WERE RESPONSIVE TO THAT, SO t-E'RE
WiANTINI TO FOLLOW THAT UP 11,11MEDIATELY, WE'RE SAYING LOOK WERE'S TH4 MONEY
THAT'S AVAILABLE, LET'S USE $ 4 OF THAT. NOW I WOULD THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF
IAIIN( 1' iIfN Akl NOT GiOrIG TO BF TOO PLEASED ABOUT N1~ GRAY SAYXN6 NO'HE. DOESN'T
IJAN] I0I HAVFI-A AN~ A P K'IOKITY.
BYNER:
WELL SPEJWVING OF HIS NIBS. PRFMTFP ( RAY, 14F Aunf THF CARTUFT ARF flN4THF umS
COAST AT QUEENSTUNN, UUUBILL; TELLING THE PEOPLE OF THE WESOT COAST THAT YOU
WANT TO SPEND IIHAT THEY SEE AS THEIR MONEY IN OTHER PARTS OF TASMANIA* D0
YOU THINK THIS COULD REALLY HARM YOUR PARTY'S CHANCE OF PICKING Up OF
TASMANIAN SEATS?
HAI-KE:
NO, IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF US WANTING TO SPEND THEIR MONEY IN OTHER PART'S.
LET'S TAKE TH4E WEST COAST. I WENT OVER THERE VERY EARILY IN THE P. IECE; TT HAS
AiLL t UK. I I UP I UUzlzr) I I UlI) I of-miI mI nr i itinn ri r, in if nol im i i nhA ul'i
0016 T~ O HAPPEN TO ME. BUT I GOT A ui: DV 11ADN nrrPrPTlnP rONo TlIr PEOPLE OVER
THERE. I GOT SUCH A WARM RECEP'lIUN ItiAt 11 LL. U MK L2UOULUCK TO SAY, Aki ISN'T
Tlli nElqAR( Al) L[, IT LED " n COODLUCK TO . flYj jlp nsflUmofl TA) BEi A TASIMNI( AN
I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF TASMANIA REMEMBER THAT AB~ OUT MR GOODLUCK. HE WAS SO
INCENSElU IHAM THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA GOY A GOOD RECEPTION IN
TASMANIA THAT HE SAID HE WAS AfSHAMED TO 0E A TAS) MANIAN. NOW THAT WAS THE
REACTION I GOT. I WENT OVER THERE AND WE HAVE PUT A LOT OF' NONEY iNTO THE
VJEST COAST OF TASMANIA ALREADY. INCLUDING STRAHAN AND OTHER PLACESt AN
THERE'S BEEN TOTAL AGREEMENT. I JUST ASK LISYENERS TO REMEMBER THAT ONl THE
26TH OF JUNE WHEN WE SIGNED THE AGREEtiElfT, FIR GRAY SAID UNEQU XVOCALLY 1THAT
HR HAWKE HAD HONOURED HIS PROMISES AND HIS UNDERTAKING. YOU SEE, f4E'S
GETTING INTO AN ELECTORAL SITUATION N131H. AND ALTHOUGH HE'S tO GOOD* Fft* IEND CIF
fR PEACOC( K%, AS WE ALL K11O11, TEERE'S A CERTAIN, I mEAN * THEY'RE G0TH' LIBI'RALS
AND SO HE'S COT TO PLAY A BIT Orr POLITICS. DIJT THE PEOPLE OF TASf. UIIA WILL
SEE THROUGH THAT. / BYNER: U1HILST UE'RE TALKIN
BYNER: WHILST WE'RE TALKING ON THE WEST COAST, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO Ttd! E
PROBABLE CLOSURE OF MT LYELL MINE?
HAWKE:
WELL I NOTICED THE STATEMENT OF CONCERN BY THE RENISON GOLDFIELD, CORPORLATION
WHO RUN THE COMPANY. ALL I CAN SAY IS, AS OF COMING HERE TO TASfARIA, HE
HAVE RECEIVED NO COMI4UNICATION FROM THE COMPANY OR THE STATE GOVEFIN1, MENT ABOUT
THIS, SO THEY HAVEN'T BEEN -INTO UCH WITH US ABOUT IT AT ALL. IF TH* EY( SHOULD
BE IN TOUCH WITH US, WELL OF COURSE WEILL LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE GOT TO SAY.
I EXPRESS MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THERE MAY BE THIS PROBLEMs AN4D I THINKTNERE'S
SOME 640 PEOPLE EMPLOYED AT THE MINE, THE BASIC PROBLEM AS THE CONPANY HAS
INDICATED IS A LOW AND CONTINUING LOU WORLDl PRICE FOR COPPER. I'V E REC: ENTLY
BEEN HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY AND ON THE-i-IMLAND
MT ISA MINES PEOPLE WERE TALKING TO US AT SOME LENGTH AND THEY 1ERE SAYING
58/ Al IHL R/ AIHLR UNUSUAL FEATURE OF THE W4ORLD PATTERN AT THE HiOMENT, THAT IS
THAT THERE'S BEEN A LIFT IN WORLD ACTIVITY AND DEMAND, BUT BECAUSE OF, THE
VERY CONSIDERABLE ACCUMULATED STOCK ON THE WORLD t1AR1K" ETo THAT THEY NME THE
JUDGEMENT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A FURTHER RUNDOtIN OF STOCKS TO ABUUT. 3OO,, OO
TONS FURTHER, BEFORE YOU'LL SEE THE IMPACT OF INCREASING DEMAND rf.
REFLECTED [ N HIGHER PRICES. NOW I EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT RENISOI GOLD MAY
TAKE THE SAME VIEW THAT WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD THERE uILL g~ AN4
UPLIFT IN WORLD PRICES AND THAT THEY 14ILL BE PREPARED TO CARlRY ON PN THAT
BASIS. I MEAN OBVIOUSLY NO COMPANY CAN BE EXPECTED TO CARRY ON FOEVER
CARRYING SIGNIFICANT LOSSES, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST TO THEM, ON-THE EV
AVAILABLE TO MiE THAT THERE IS SOME REASON FOR OPTIMISM IN THE NOT TOO DISTAINT
FUTURE AND I HOPE THAI GIVEN THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF THE EMPLOY'ES OF THE
COMPANY OVER MANY YEARS, THAT THEY'LL TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.
BYNER: PRIME MINISTER.-THE FREIGHT EQUALISATION RATES H1AVEN'T BEEN ALTERIP SlfNOE
YOUR GOVERNIMENT'S. ENTIRE TERM SO FAR. I KNOW THERE IS AN INQUIRY b'. c AT THE
MOMENT TO DETERMINE THE WHOLE SITUATION RE THE FREIGH4T EQUALISATION SCHEME-.
THERE ARE A LOT 01F PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE E ODED'VALUE PF ' THE
AMOUNT WHICH THE FEDERAL GOVERNiMENT IS ACTUALLY PUTTING INTO THE SCHEK. E.
W1OULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMIM-ENT?
HAWKE: I CERTAINLY UOULD. WEIVE PROVIDED $ 29.3 MILLION THIS FIfiANCIAL VE( ' 1 FOR
THE TASI-ANIAN FREIGHT EQUALISATION ScHEME AND IF YOU LOO', AT ALL AT.' tlR E
PROVIDING IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT,, T14E FEDERAL GOVERN'MENT IS PROV6I11* G iWOUI
2,2 MILLION A WEEK TO YASMANIA'S TRANSPORT NEEDS. THAT'S 1mADE lip
A/ lKLLI0' 3 Fq-
6.
MILLION FOR THE FREIGHT EQUALISATION SCHEME, THERE'$ $ 51 MILLION FQR ROAD.
FUNDING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, AND THAT'S A 42% RISE SINCE 82-831 TH YEAJ
BEFORE WE CAME INTO OFFICE. HISTORICALLY HIGH INCREASE BY THIS GOV CRNM[ NT
IN ROAD FINDING. WE'VE PROVIDED $ 18.1 MILLION TO THE AUSTRALIAN I ATIONAL
RAILWAYS COMRMISSION TO SUBSIDISE THE OPERATING LOSSES OF THE TASWAI1N.
RAILWAY SYSTEM, AND $ 3 MILION TO HELP THE REHABILITATION* OF THE TA'SM)' AN
RAILW-AY* SYSTEM AND $ 5.6 MILLION TO PROVIDE AIR FARE SUBSIDIES BETWqEIN. ThE
MAIN TASMANIAN PORTS AND MELBOURNE. SO THAI'S ABOUT $ 2 MILLION A W~ EEK TO KEET
THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF TASMANIA. BUT MORE THAN THAT, AND I JUST WA T TO MAME
THIS POINT IN REGARD TO PARTICULARLY I GUESS THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN TASPIANIA,
WHAT WE ARE DOING AS DISTINCT FROM THE OPPOSITION W1HO FOR YEARS AND YEARS
TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA. THEY IAI. KED AND ' TALKED,
WORDS ARE CHEAP WITH TH4E OPPOSITION PARTYO THAT'S THEIR STOCK, IN Tq1ADE,. AS
DISTINCT FROM1 WORDS WE ENGAGE IN ACTION AND WE PROVIDED $ 26 MiLL10.' s $ 26
MILLION AS A NON REPAYABLE GRANT TO TASMANIA TO ENABLE THEM TO PURCHASE , AND
MODIFY THAT OVERSEAS VESSEL, THE ' WILS HOLGERSSON' TO REPLACE TIIE. q-1PRESS OF
TASMANIA(?). NOW THAT'S A MILESTONE IN THIS AREA OF TRANSPORT. AS. I SAY THE
OPPOSITION IN GOVERNMENT FIDDLED AROUND WITH IT FOR YEARS AND DID OTHING.
AND WE'VE GIVEN TASMANIA THIS ENORfIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP Th,' E TOURIST TRADE.
NOW AGAINST WHAT WE'VE DON4E THERE, AND OUR VERY FIRM AND ACTION JUST ASK
YOU AND Y'OUR LISTENERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROPOSALS OF THE OPPOITI'J ARE
AND THEIR ATTITUDE TO TASMANIANS AtID WH1AT THEY WOULD DO THEY'RE TALIUN13
ABOUT SELLING OFF. IF THEY W-ERE TO GET INTO PO. IER, THEY IIOULD SELL'OFF. 14ILD
JUST LIKE THAT. NO1Y1OWU JUST IMAGINE IIHAT THAT WOULD H4EAN TO TASHAsIA. BUT
YOU KNOW'., IT'S NOT VERY SURPRISINIC TO SEE THAT rHEV'D DO 0O. 1ETHIN1G LIKC nr4AT IN
THE TRANSPORT AREA BECAUSE, I JUST ASK YOU AND rHE LISTENERS TO GET: SO,, 1E
LULA U WHAT THE ATTITUDE OF THE OPPOSITION is TO TASMANIA, PARTICULARLY IN
THE TRANSPORT AREA. I'D LIKE TO, IF I COULD, TO READ OUT A QUESTIO1J THAT L! AS
PUT IN PARLIAMENT BY THE EXISTINIG SHADOW TRANSPORT FOR TRANSPORT,.. THAT's K
LUSHER. NOW. THIS ISWHAT HE ASKED ON THE 2ND CF APRIL 1081. IT VAS' A QUESTION
TO MR HOWJARD W-HO WAS THEN TREASURER. ' SHOULD I ASK THlE TREASURER 1WjET1iERt'
IT'S NECESSARY FOR DEFENCE PURPOSES THAT SO, 4E AUSTRALIAS OCCUPY TAS NAIIQ
IS THIS THlE ONLY REASON k1HY SOMXE AUSTRALIANS LIVE IN THAT STATE?'* J: 01.4 Tis IS
THE OPPOSITION SHADOWN MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, IN THIS H4YPOTHET ICAL. PEACOCK/
HOW1ARD GOVERNMENT. THIS IS THE I-AN WHO W-OULD BE T1HEIR MINISTER Ful, TRANSPORT.
HE SAID ' 1WILL THE TREASURER TABLE A COST BENEFIT STUDY INDICATING E011 MUCH
[ 1AINLAND AUSTRALIAN TAXPAYERS CO; 1TRIGUT17 TO THE MAINTEIANCE OF A PC? ULATIrnN
OF TAStIANIA? WILL THE TREASURER CONSIDER TRANSFERRINGi ALL TASMLAPIU4J~ SU3SIDY
APPROPRIATIONS TO THE DEFENCE VOTE? FAILING THIS, CAN THE At'OUNT Of TRAIYSFER2ED
TO TNE SOCIAL WELFARE VOTE. FAILING THAT, CAN SOVEREIGNTV OF TASM if. A. GE1
TRANSFERRED TO NEIS ZEALAND AND IF ANY SUB8SIDIES ARE STILL REQURECA, * HEV
CE PAID T ~ r FrFnfl-4 PIm Wvo?'-row rVA. 1! r 41f " t. 1,
7.
/ HOWARD GOVERNMENT WOULD BE THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT. THAT'S HI AtTITUDE
TO TASMANIA. WHAT WAS IMR HOWARD'S RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION?. THAT RE41LY
YOU SHOULD DENUDE TASMANIA... IF YOU CAN'T DO ' THAT, GIVE TASMANIA T. O vpEU
ZEALAND, ! MR HOWARD ' S RESPONSE QUOTE I THINK THAT THE BEST ANSWERi AN GIVE
TO THAT QUESTION IS TO SAY THAT I I-ILL ANALYSE IT THOROUGHLY." NOI) THAT's
THlE ATTITUDE OF,, THE LIBERALS TO TASMANIA. THE FELLOU W4HO WOULD 8CMI'IJSTER
FOR TRANSPORT IN THEIR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO GET RID OF TASMANI. A GIVE . IT TO NEU
ZEALAND AND TIlE DEPUTY LEADER OF TH E LIBERAL PARTY DOESN'T DISMXSS. ITJ[ TH
CONTEMPT, AS IT DESERVES,, BUT SAYS I WILL ANALYSE THE QUESTION THO.' OU HLY.
THERE'S YOUR CONTRAST. WHAT WE'VE DONE, WE'VE ACTED, WHERE THEY FiDOLED
AND TALKED IN REGARD TO A REPLACEMENT FOR THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA $ 2 M1ILLION
A WEEK UNDER OUR GOVERNMENT FOR TASMANIA'S TRANSPORT NEED. S, AND U. NDER A*
PEACOCK/ HOWARD GOVERNMENT, A MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT WHO WOULD GET'RID OF
TASMANIA TO NEW ZEALAND AND HOWARD SAYING YES I'LL HAVE TO HAVE A 40= O AT
THAT THOROUGHLY.
BY HER:
THERE'S ONE ISSUE THAT I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU ON AND THAT IS THAT: OF T112
INCENTIVE TO WORK, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF 13USINESS. PEOPLEV SmA4 ~ 6U ISS
PEOPLE AROUND AUSTRALIA,, INCLUDINNG TAS1 -ANIA, WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT
THAT THEY'RE ALL PAYING HIGNER TAXES, THAT YOU WORK OVERTINME AND YQU* Effl UIP
LOSING 1HALF OR MORE TO TH4E GOVERNMENT. NO1W I K1NOW THAT YOU'RE CONOUCT .1. G1T A
REVIEW OF THE TAX SYSTEM AT THE MOMiENT. IS THERE ANYTIhING AT ALL ' flOATYVOU CAN
SAY SPECIFICALLY THAT CAN GIVE SOMBODY HOPE, THAT WE'RE NOT C. OINGGTO GE. T
TAXED
H{ AWKE:
WELL LET NE TALK ABOUT THE POSITION OF SMALL BUSINESS UNDER OUR GOVER~ iENT
CUMPARED TO OUR PREDECESSORS-GENERALLY AND THEN COME TO YOUR PmRiCULAR
POINT. THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN FOR SMALL BUSINESS IS THAT YOU HAVE A
GROWING ECOINO4, Y. NOW I ASK THE SMALL BUS1INESS [ MAN ORl WOMAN JUST To BE
TOTALLY OBJECTIVE AND ASK THEMSELVES HOWg1 THEY UERE DOING UNDER THE. PREVIOUS
GOVERN2-' ENT AND HO0W-THEY'RE DOING UNDER THIS ONE. UNDER THE PREVIOUS
GOVERNMENT THE AUSTRALIAN ECONONY VENT INTrO ITS W-. ORST RECESSION SICCE THE
GREAT DEPRESSION OF T14E 1930' S. YOU HAD THESE THINGS HAPPENING, ECOINC1.1C
GRO14TH HAD HALTED, YOU'D GOT INTO RECESS ION, eU HAD IN THE LAST ThLV o-mHs
A GROWTH IN UNEMPLOYMENT OF QUARTER OF A MILLIONo YOU HAD INFLATZON! AT DOUBLE
THE RATE, MORE TH4AN DOU BLE THE RATE OF T: hEP RESTr Or, THE INDUSTIALkSE D U11-1-
UHICH WE COM1PARE OURSELVES. AND YOU HAD RECORD HIG. H 11-TEREST RAfCS. WWTHIAT'S
THE ENVIROWI1ENT UNDER WHICH SM-' ALL BUSINESS WAS STRUGGLING, UN( OER TIE Fi 1O" 1S
/ COVF ~ NIT IK J*;
GOVERNMENT. UNDER-MY GOVERNMENT, THAT'S BEEN TURNED ROUND-FROM ECON, 41IC
RECESSION TO THE POINT WHERE AUSTRALIA, THE LAST THELVE MONTHS UTIDKR IY
GOVERNMENT, HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE WORLD,, THIE
CREATION OF MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION NEW JOBS, HALVING, MORE HAN
HALVING OF' THE INFLATION RATE* TO BRING IT BACK TO THE REST OF THE V1OR 0C AND
A REDUCTION IN INTEREST RATES. NOW THAT'S THE ENVIRONMENT UNDER 1tP1ICH, SM4ALL
BUSTNESS DOES VERY MUCH BETTER, AND IT HAS DOrE~ VERY tiUCII BETTER. tAS. IS
REFLECTED IN A WHOLE RANGE OF STATISTKCS. SO THAT'S THE FIRST POIUTr. N0ow,
SECONDLY, IN REGARD TO TAX, IT. IS THE CASE THAT UNDER THE LAST T11O BUDGETS,
OF THE CONSERVATIVES, THEY HAD TH4E RECORD HIGH TAX CAKE AS A PROPO RTION OF
THE COUNTRY'S PRODUCT, AND 14IGNER THAN IN OUR BUDGET, IN OUR LAST YNE, WHREN
YOU TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE MEDICARE EFFECT WHICH WAS JUST A TRANSFER FRO,'-WHtAT
PEOPLE WERE PAYING UNDER PRIVATE INSURANCE, NOW IF YOU TAKE THAT iNT-O ACCOUNT,
OURS WAS-LOW. IER IN PROPORTION TO THEIRS. NOW HHAT WE'VE PROUXSED NQ11-FOR THE
FUTURE IS AN OVERHAUL OF THE TAX SYSTEM. BUT HE'RE NOT WAITING F09 T1hAT
OVERHAUL. UITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS ALL. TAXPAYERS W-ILL GET A SUBSTAiJIAL REAL
TAX CUT IN THEIR PAY PACKETS. THEY'LL BE GETTING THAT. ON AVERAG!: T1* A WF-ILL.
BE EQUIVALENT TO AN $ 11 A WEEK WAGE INCREASE. IT I-ILL BE MUCH. ICS . INLTIN
THAN A WAGE INCREASE. NOW WE AREN'T HYPOTHESISING ABOUT rHE FUTURC. HIARD
REAL TAX CUTS NOW, IN A NON INFLATIONARY W-AYD UE'RE SAYING. TO THE. V USxcssS
COo: 4vUNITY AND TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA THAT AFTER 84 YEARS AS A r D RAT IOND
THE TAX SYSTEM IS NOT PERFECT, SO WE WILL HAVE A REVIEVWJ NOT If-pO5j~ iG,* IT FRfO11
THE BACK ROiAS OF THE LIBERAL PARTY, AS WOULD BE TALKED ABOUT BY TOESE. PEOPLE0
NO CONSULTATION. LOOK AT ALL THE NEW TAXES THEY BROUGHT IN UHE( j Tf'EYj WERE INl
GOVERNMENT. DID THEY EVER TALK TO THE PEOPLE IN ADVANCE AND SAY9 IQE'LL IMPOSE
A $ 3 BILLION TAX SLUG ON YOU TH1ROUGH THE CRUDE OIL LEVY, DID THEY TALK TO THEN
ABOUT THE TAX ON NEWSBOY EARNINGS9 DID THEY TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE VAST
RANGE OF INCREASES IN SALES TAX? WE'RE NIOT POTTERING AROUND AND FIDDLINIG
AROUND LIKE THAT. WIE'RE SAYINGo THAT AFTER THE ELECTION WE WILL HAVE FULL
CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA INCLUDING THE SriAIL BUS11" Es$
COM111JNITY TO SEE HOW-THE RANGE OF TAXES WHICH It.' PACT UPON INDIVIVU~ iS * A'
BUSINESSES CAN BE IMPROVED, SO THAT TNEY'LL BE FAIRER AND f4ORE EFFiCI1F, yr.
NOW THAT'S THE DECENT THING TO DOo IT'S THE WAY THAT JE'VE VADE THiS E Cp1, NO-v
TURN ROUiND FROM RECESSION TO GROWATI-BY CON5ULTATIONt AND THIAT'S I-HPAT UE'LL DO
III THE TAX AREA AND I LOOK FO~ tfJ1Rt), AS I'VE TOLD THE SNIALL BUSINESS C4:-2-UNITYD
TO A VERY SIGNIFICANT INPUT FROA. THEM AS TO HO0' THEY THINK'% WE CAN YliPPE TNE
SYSTEM TO HELP THEII.
PRI14E-MIINISTER,, SINCE YOU'VE BE[-LN IN C'FFCE, YOU'VE GONE THROUC1 A H. ELL OF A
OT , R) T-I PIROFFSSIO. AI. I Y ANIn PF111SO:.! iuI Y. E-7NI YOI I IOnf ' ACK, WtillN-, Fo Al NY
AT NIGHT W: 0TH YOUR WiPEp AS OFTEN YOU PR0%' kGLfy DOD EVEN THOU2q WE. SI: L
IT A LOT..
HAWKE: I HOPE YOU DON'T SEE A LOT.
BYNER: HAS IT BEEN ALL WORTH. IT?
HAUKE:
YES INDEED. YES INDEED. I'VE BEEN IN PUBLIC LinE FOR A L
I'M USED TO'THE PRESSURES 0 P'UBLIC LIFE. BUT THE BIG DIFFERENCE OF . T. 4E
LAST T11O YEARS, AND IT'S AN 111EASURAt3LY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE IS T-AT WITH
MY GOVERNMENT, I'VE BEEN IN A POSITION TO DO THINGS, BEFORE WELL. 11HEl I
WAS PRESIDENT OF THE ACTU, YOU COULD DO THINGS TO HELP THE CONIUNITY IN4 U1NV
WAYS AND I TRIED TO DO THAT, BUT THEN AND IN OPPOSITION IN4 PARLw.: gNT7 THTlERE
IS A DISTINCT LIMIT. TO WHAT YOU CAN DO, NOW-IN THESE TW-O YEARS I 0UE O0. EN
ABLE TO DELIVER THE PROM1ISE TO THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE THAT WITH f~ lpOYL LIE. AGUES
I MADE. I SAID AT T1HE BEGINNING OF ' 83, THIS SOCIETY IS SICK, MOflt D2IVIQED
THAN IT'S EVER BEEN BEFORE,, THE ECONO; 4Y IS IN STAGNATIOIN AND I SAXp. XlI3ELlEVE
THAT TOGETHER 14E CAN TURN THIS COUNTRY ROUND. NOIJ I THIIX% 11 HAVE, y I'S N" OT
JUST HAUKE AND THE LABOIR GOVERNMENT, BUT IT'S THlE fIAUKE LABOR GOVEPdIN. ; T
W4ORKING WITH THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA. AND ALL OF US H4AVE BEEN PUT~ lfNG'
AUSTRALIA FIRST. AND AUSTRALIA'S WtiNNING AGAIN AS A RESULT OF THAT. IOJ
THAT'S A GREAT FEELING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH TURNING AUSTRALIA ROUjID..
SYNER: IS BEING PIRIMIE MINISTER GOOD OR BAD FOR A IARRIAGE?
HIAWKE: HIELL IT'S BEEN GOOD IN THE SENSE THAT HAZEL AND I NOW SEE MORE OF ONE.. ivNOTHER.
WE HAVE MORE TIME TOGETHER T14AN WE DID DEFORE, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS PRESIDENT OF
THE ACTU AND TH-EN I'-' EN I WAS All' OPPOSITION ME11IER OF PARLIA; EtJT, I. WjAS
TRAVELLING ALL OVER THE COUNTRYp ALL TlHE TIME. HAZEL UAS IN MELBOURNE 111TH
THE FAMIIYO NOW WE LIVE THERE IN CA119RRA. UE ACTUALLY SEE 114ORE OF ONE
ANOTHER NOW THAN WE DID BEFORE,
ByMNER: PRINE MINISTER THAN!' YOU VERY kw1li 1-U: i SVAPlf,! i THE TIM-E TO VISIT MEL. H OPE
THAT WE'LL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAK" N AGAIN BEFO'RE THE 1ST OF DiECEMIE. R.
I EOPE SO TOO AND I ' D LIK~ E TO THANK YOU AN! D C 17T WISUES TO ALL YOUR LX! STEiNjf
TOO0 THANK YOU. ./ AWR: TVhANK VOU VFRY [ Ur'N
I A V..
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