PM Transcripts

EMBARGO NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE
8 P. M. ON TUESDAY, k~ VZ'-BER 26.
BROADCAST NO. 6
BROADCAST BY THE PRIS MINISTER TIE RT. HON.
SIR ROBERT PINZIES OVER ABC NAIIONAL STATIONS
AT 8 P.* 11. ON TUESHiLY, NOVEMBER 26, 1963.
D E F E 11 C E
The purpose of a foreign policy is to enter into
arrangements for friendship and the common defence of freedom
and security; to keep the peace without surrender of vital
principles, without appeasement or retreat.
In this world, bedevilled by governments which use
threats of violence defence has for democratic countries,
ceased to be a purely local affair. Australian defence cannot
be secured by coastline conceptions. Here, Labour policies are
dangerous. The Leader of the Opposition, struggling to hold a
chance 1961 victory in Cowper, normally a Country Party stronghold
said, at Grafton, that he would station portion of a
battle-group of the Australian Regular Army at or near Gre ftonl
His advice on this matter was not military. If such
promises wore pursued in all doubtf'ul seats, the whole concept of
Australian military preparations would be destroyed.
Our policy is based upon two considerations. First,
we must equip ourselves for close co-operation with our allies
in this part of the world, where dangers are groat, and common
action is essential, We must have their help in times of
difficulty, and they must have ours. To prepare to defend
Australia purely on Australian territory, would assume that our
allies had been defeated.
The second consideration is that, having regard to
the first, we should create and equip for ces, quickly a~ tailable,
possessed of great fire power and rapid mobility, and of the
highest quality. This is why wre are creating a navy which, while within
our capacity will be modern, mobile and effective; with the
missile-bearing destroyers, submarines, carriers, aircraft, and
escort vessels. I
In the Army, we aim at high training, modern equipment,
adequate air support, with a first-class scientific backing.
In the Air Force, we already have the best transport
planes in the world, the Mirage fighter, the best in the world
and a Bomber replacement for the Canberra which, at a relatively
early date, will give us, in world terms, unsurpassed strike and
reconnaissance power,
Wie cannot equal the great powers. But we can aim at
possessing forces of the highest quality and capable of co-operating
effectively with our friends.
No party political considerations can be allowed to
stand in the -jay of giving effect to this realistic policy.
You will decide, for a vital period of time whether
you support this concept, and this essential national policy.