P'Fns 0310
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH PAUL LYNEHARI 7.30 REPORT
3 MARCH 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
LYNEHAM: Welcome to the program.
PM: Thank you Paul.
LYNEHAM: You all agreed at today's conference that there
was no quick fix to the housing problem. The thing is
that's what many families need isn't it?
PM: Yes well you can't give a quick fix. What we've done,
it's a unique thing for the Commonwealth to involve itself
in the housing scene in the way we did today and I think
that was acknowledged because basically these things are a
State responsibility on the supply side. But we just felt
that we had to move in.
LYNEHAM: There has been a bit of whingeing about the land
you have offered. Nick Greiner said some of it is subject
to flooding and some of it is part of an airport and so on.
PM: I must say however in fairness to Nick he might be
saying it outside but he was very cooperative in there. We
said to the States if you can identify parcels of
Commonwealth land which we haven't included which you think
from your point of view may be better, let's talk about
that. LYNEHAM: wouldn't it come onto the market quicker if you
gave it to private enterprise?
PM: Not necessarily but what we've said is we'd like to
talk with the States and if they're not interested in
particular parts well then of course we'll go to the private
sector. I think it may involve a mix.
LYNEHAM: Are we inevitably moving away from the Australia
of the quarter acre block and the Hills Hoist?
PM: No, I don't think in terms of people who want that,
that we will be moving away from it. But in fairness to
Paul I don't think the point he was making was really
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LYNEHAM: He got a bit of a caning for it didn't he?
PM: Yes, and I think it was a bit unfair to him because he
uses language quickly to make a point and I don't think
people understood that what Paul was really saying and what
our position is, that for those who still want and see the
advantages in having the quarter acre block with a hoist and
all that goes with it, beauty. I mean, that still will be
what perhaps a great majority will do. But it clearly is
the case Paul that the preferences of a lot of people would
be to have medium density housing in not only the inner
cities but in other areas which would have them closer to
their place of employment with a whole lot of advantages
which they would put over the concept of the quarter acre
block. But for those who still aspire to that, that's the
way it will be.
LYNEHAM: The Saulwick poll this morning had Labor four
points behind the Coalition across the nation, but ten
points behind in Sydney. Is that the housing crisis?
PM: I think it may be something to do with that. I just
frankly am a little bit sceptical about the extent of change
in a relatively short period, I think there's a bit of an
overstatement there. But in other things in Sydney, I think
in Sydney
LYNEHAM: ( inaudible)
PM: That's partly, but I think also as far as the media is
concerned I must say that the concentration of talkback
radio is a phenomenon in Sydney, it's got something to do
with it. I think we get a bit of a belting on talkback
radio, I think that's got something to do with it.
LYNEHAM: Are you going to do more talkback radio then to
counter this?
PM: Yes, I've already started.
LYNEHAM: The Saulwick poll also suggested that the
Coalition has a 5% lead among women over Labor, the gender
gap, you identified it at the recent ministry meeting.
where does it come from, what's going wrong?
PM: I think we have to accept a good deal of
responsibility. I think there hasn't been the success in
communication of what we've done for women obviously that
there should have been, because it's conceded in the
organisations of women that there's no government that has
done as much for women as we have. It's clear that we
haven't communicated to women, I think, as well as we
should. Why they should view this Government with failure,
that communication will be made in the period between
now and the next election.
LYNEHAM: Someone has said to me that it's a bit patronising
to sort of sharpen up your approach to women with an
election just over the horizon.
PM: It's not intended to be patronising, I can assure women
of that. It's simply a concession, an admission if you like
of some fault on our part. When you've done as much in the
area of importance to women as we have done and where we've
created as I want to point out to the women of Australia
most importantly, not just for them but for their daughters,
the Australia that we have created will be one in which
their daughters will grow up with a much broader range of
opportunities than girls have ever ha& before. Now if we
haven't got that across as we clearly haven't sufficiently
well, then we would be silly if we didn't understand it and
take steps to get the message across. I can assure you
there's no patronising, it's a whack behind the ear for
ourselves. we haven't done as well as we should have with
communication. LYNEHAM: This extraordinary rumpus within the NSW branch
over the Liverpool preselection there. In the Supreme Court
there today you had a demo outside the branch office, the
head office. Does this warrant Federal intervention?
PM: Well, it's not very elegant, I don't like it but let me
say this. If I had to take my choice between the internal
condition of Labor and the coaltion, I go for Labor every
time. Sure it's not elegant, not pleasant that particular
issue you talk about in NSW but how would you like the
situation in the Liberal Party and with the National Party.
I mean, brawling now, brawling now in Victoria, as to
whether they're going to have a joint coalition ticket for
the Senate. The fights that are going on within the Liberal
Party and within the National Party, look I prefer to have
no dispute, no problem at all in the Labor Party, I don't
like what's happening there
LYNEHAM: How are you going to get rid of this problem?
PM: Well it's not my responsibility. It's a matter for the
State organisation in NSW.
LYNEHAM: It's damaging federally isn't it?
PM: I don't think it's damaging federally, but obviously
nothing is helpful politically which reflects some problem
within your show and that's true for the Liberals, true for
the Nationals, true for us. I'd rather it hadn't happened.
LYNEHAM: Clyde Holding says he is going to stand again for
Melbourne Ports at next election. Some members of caucus
think he should think seriously about standing aside in the
interests of allowing some new blood in. is there any
validity
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PM:, Into the Parliament or into the Ministry?
LYNEHAM: Into the Parliament.
PM: Well, I'd seen somewhere It hasn't been put to me.
Clyde obviously is well known in that electorate and well
respected I think he feels. I can understand that feeling
that he's got the best chance of maximising the vote.
LYNEHAM: Do you think he has?
PM: I would think he has. I mean he is well known, I think
he's represented the electorate well.
LYNEHAM: Does Gerry Hand have your unqualified confidence?
PM: Yes. I think that Gerry, more than any Minister that I
can recall in this very very delicate, difficult portfolio,
has shown these characteristics Paul. Absolute commitment.
I don't think there is anyone, including on the Opposition,
who questions his commitment, a sensitivity. I mean I can't
recall anyone who has gone to so much trouble to travel all
over Australia to visit wide range of Aboriginal communities
to listen. Listening is hard in politics. Not many people
are good at it. Gerry Hand is. He has vision and he's
also, importantly he's got toughness and people have tried
to generate some sort of signer about Gerry that he's soft,
that he's a soft touch for the Aborigines. He's not. He
can be as tough as nails when he sees something that he
doesn't believe is right.
LYNEHAM: Do you agree with Kevin Gosper that the Senate
Drugs in Sport Inquiry has damaged the international
reputation of Australian sport?
PM: I can't make a judgement about that. I respect Kevin
Gosper very very much. He's not only a fine athlete but
he's an enormously committed sports administrator. If Kevin
makes that judgement I would be loathe to dispute it.
LYNEHAM: Finally, how does it really feel to be Knight
Special Class of the Most Exulted Order of the White
Elephant? PM: I suppose because of the easy shot at the writers for
cartoonists and others the White Elephant order, one may
have hoped there was another name for it, but having said
that, I just do point out Paul for your listeners it is the
highest order capable of being awarded by the Thai
leadership to any foreigner. To that extent I take it not
only personally, but for this country as a very high honour.
LYNEHAM: Sir Elephant, thanks for your time.
PM: Thank you very much.
ends