PRIME MINISTER] 3/ 92
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. P. J. KEATING, MP
MEETINGS WITH BUSINESS, UNION LEADERS
Over the next two weeks I will be meeting chief executives
of some of Australia's largest companies as well as
representatives of small business and trade unions to listen
to their ideas for bringing forward the economic recovery.
I will be joined in these meetings by the Treasurer, Mr
Dawkins, the Minister for Finance, Mr Willis and the
Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce, Senator
Button. The national meetings are the first step in what will be a
concerted effort by my Government to hear the ideas of those
who will play a major role in getting Australia back to
work. I
The first meetings will take place in Melbourne next
Wednesday ( Jan. 15) and Thursday ( Jan. 16).
Further talks will be held in Sydney the following Monday
( Jan. 20) arid Tuesday ( Jan. 21).
As the Economic Statement is developed I and other Ministers
will consult more widely with business, unions and other
groups throughout Australia.
Those involved in the talks are people from some of our most
dynamic enterprises, large and small, and many executives
have made special efforts to be available to meet with
Government at short notice.
There is a growing sense of purpose and enthusiasm being
directed to our national economic problem and these meetings
will do much to encourage that enthusiasm.
The speed of the recovery and our ability to create jobs
quickly wil. l be greatly influenced by these companies.
2
For that reason it is important the Government has a clear
picture of what their plans are and what is happening across
the economy as a whole.
The meetings will be with individual chief executives and in
some cases with small groups.
All Melbourne meetings will be held in the Prime Minister's
office in Treasury Place, starting about 9.30 a. m. on both
Wednesday and Thursday and finishing about 3.30-4 p. m. each
day. Media will be notified of further details for the Melbourne
meetings ( p: cfacs, list of participants etc.) early this
week. Arrangements for the Sydney meetings will be finalised later
in the week,
12 January 1992