TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, ABC STUDIO, MELBOURNE 21 AUGUST
1989 3 OS0 PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: the Opposition leader got through the
dress rehearsal for an election. Are we seeing the same
sort of thin? from you now, I mean with your interviews
today, television
PM: Remember there was a Budget last week? we made
arrangements that we would be out selling the Budget: the
week after. That's what I'm doing. I must say the Budget
has gone over so well and been so broadly accepted that John
didn't to want to ask any questions about that. but
that's really what this is about. we made the decision that
we'd spend the week afterwards selling the Budget. That's
what ths in about.
JOURNALIST: Senator Ray has said overnizht that it could be
as early as November because the Opposition has nothing
going for it at this time. You seemed to reinforce that
view about the opposition's policies in there.
Pu: I didn't say anything about dates. Senator Ray is not
saying anything that I haven't been sa ing ver vigorously
for come time. about the condition of t 9e Oiosytion. Just
look objectively at it. We've had a si tua on where just
relatively a few weeks-ago both of the Opposition parties
threw out their leader., Mr Howard and Mr Sinclair. They've
thrown them out. Why? in the case of Mr Peacock because
they thought he had substantial new policies? No. Because
they thought he might be able to sel the opposition a bit
better. In the case of Mr Sinclair, well why? I mean they
just got rid of him, Now what's happening is you've got Mr
Sinclair aying what? That the opposition is not fit to
govern. well, this is just proving what I've been saying
for a long time. All they are about is power. They've got
no policies. Mr Blunt is saying they won't really produce
their policies until I announce the election. Great stuff.
No policies,' no principles, no leadership. That's nothing
new but it's not going to send me racing into an election.
JOURNALIST: You haven't had to do much selling in terms of
the Budget. so have you been testing the waters in terms of
an election, testing opinion?
PM: No. why don't you listen to the answer I've given. I
said before the Budget was brought down we'd made
arrangements to go out and have this period selling it.
That was an arrangement that was made. it's sensible and it
just ha ppens to be the case that it is such a good Budget
and so broadly received that when I come on these proqrams
it seems to be taken for granted that it's a great Budget
and they'd rather talk about other things. That suits me.
JOURNALIST: mr Hawke, the legal action against pilots. How
soon would you expect that to happen after the 4 o'clock
deadline? PM: Well I think that wouldhappen quite quickly. But let
me say, I repeat Heather that we want them to stay in the
system. I don't want any interpretation of my indication of
the tough action that's there if they don't stay in to say
that'. what I want to happen. I want them to stay in and to
be part of the system and stop going on with this idea that
because they', re up there flying aeroplanes that somehow
they're not only above the earth but they're above everyone
else. They are not. They are people who have a skill which
is nothing which uniquely puts them apart from anyone
in terms of their training. If you look at tradespersons,
tradespersons have in a sense longer, tougher training than
learning to fly an aeroplane. The are already ver" r well
rewarded for working at the stickea ss than ten hour. a
week. Now it's about time they sort of in terms of
themselves came down to earth and realised that they are not
going to glorify themselves above the rest of the wage and
salary earner. of this country.
ends