PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF COMMENTS ON DEPARTURE FOR JAPAN, RAAF BASE
FAIRBAIRN -16 SEPTEMBER 1990
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: held up out there by some green
protesters? PM: No, I wasn't held up by anyone. Does it look like
it?
JOURNALIST: What do you think of their comments that
perhaps PH: I don't know what their comments were.
JOURNALIST: The bookies say that Melbourne's only got a
10/ 1 chance. What's your view?
PM: I backed a 66/ 1 winner the other week.
JOURNALIST: Mrs Kelly's being interviewed this morning
so perhaps what the protesters are saying is slightly
relevant, that they're wondering whether or not the
Government caved in because of the pressure from the
loggers on Friday. What do you think of that?
PM: I think that's nonsense.
JOURNALIST: Are you happy with Mrs Kelly's performance
over the whole issue?
PM: Yes.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, one of the things that has
been said is that the trees in Japan are now better
protected than ours as a result of Cabinet's decision.
PM: What am I supposed to do about that, burst out into
laughter?
JOURNALIST: What's the main message you'll be taking to
the Olympic people you'll be meeting in Tokyo?
PM: That Melbourne's got the best bid. We're best in
terms of facilities, centrality, security, environment
and total commitment of the Australian population. We've
got the lot.
JOURNALIST: Feeling confident?
A, 2
PM: It would be silly to say I feel confident. I am
confident we've got the best bid. There will be some
sentiment for Athens I believe but if the bids are
considered totally on their intrinsic merits, Melbourne
should win.
JOURNALIST: All the best Prime Minister.
ends