TEL: 21. May. 93 15: 33 No. 006 P. 08/ 09
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PRIME MINISTER
TRMASCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTUA, THE RON P. J. KEATING MP
AND THE RIGHT HOW J 3 BOLGER, PARLIAMENT HOUSE
WBLJ4NQTON, 21 lXa? 1993
& O1 PROOF COPY
JR: Can I just say as an opening comment that the talks
this morning have gone very well, both between Prima
Minister Keating and myself and the office and now
with twelve Cabinet Ministers. They have been very
good diecusaionG, we have covored the range of
issues that are important to both countries. I have
been very pleased,
PM: And likewise. This is a natural opportunity to look
at Australia and New Zealand's both relationship one
to the other, but as well our strategic
circumstances in the world In which we live and the
region and the world mote generally. So we have
been able to do those things and then as well as
that discus all the bilateral things as well.
J; Was the contentious issue of benefits discussed at
all Prime Ministers?
PM: We discussed It and I think it has been an issue
under discussion now for some time and one which I
think we will have further discussions on.
J: And what elements Prime Minister?
PM: They will be discussions at Minister level. When is
it Jim, a few months tine?
JD; About a months time. The Ministers are scheduled to
meeL from New Zealand and Australia in about a
month. That meeting was In place, they will pick up
the issue and move it forward. We made it clear
that we are talking about pensions, we are not
talking about benefits. The tenor of te disCuSsion
was constructive, the Ministers will now pick it up
and move it forward, I'm quite certain they will do
that and I would hope they can move it forward
reasonably quickly.
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J: Mr Keating, is Australia talking about pensions or
unemployment benefits as well?
PM: We are talking in terms of discussions we've had
today they have been about pensions rather than
benefits and as the Prime Minister has said that ig
the basis on which ministerial discussions will now
ensue.
J: Do you want that to be wider though Mr Keating?
PM: No, from our point of view that is fair enough.
J; Did you discuss defence issues today?
PM: In the general yes.
J: Are you seeking more ol a role from New Zealand in
defence terms, more defence expenditure?
PM: The important thing between our countries is that we
maintain that sort of operational capacity together,
I'm not sure whether it is qulte the word but
operability between us and that the whole question
about keeping core forces together, their competence
As an issue of Importance for both of.
J: Prime Minister what about the Kangaroo exercises?
JB; That is not something either directly in the control
of Prime Minister Keating or myself. The answer to
your question is yes, but you will be aware of
course of the AmeLican position on that and until
that changes we won't be able to do so, but New
Zealand would certainly welcome the opportunity of
re~ oinlng those exercises. Both the Prime Minister
and myself agree that it is important, that our two
forces operate in a coherent fashion, one
Integrating with the other or complementing the
other and that is certainly an ambition. we both
believe in the five power defence arrangement which
we are members of as again as a strategic, sensible
arrangement. So all that we have no difficulty on.
I think we should Vo, we do have a luncheon that we
are supposed to both appear at and God knows what
you'll say if both of us don't appear at it and I
know Prime Minioter has a press conference later as
well.
PM: I'm happy to take more detailed questions lator.
Thank you.
JB: Thank you.
endc