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TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J
KEATING, M. P.,
GLENQUARIE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE, MACQUARIE FIELDS
THURSDAY 27 JANUARY, 1994
J: Prime Minister, do you have any thoughts on who might be the new Industry
Minister?
PM: No, I'll make that announccment, probably, by the weekend.
J: When did you find out about the latest allegations....?
PM: I haven't even caught up on that, to be honest. Mr Griffiths is no longer in the
ministry and that's the key point.
J: Mr Keating what is your reaction to the attack on Prince Charles last night?
PM: Well, I was appalled by it. Prince Charles is a good friend of this country and
deserves to be treated as a good friend In this country.
J; What did you think of the efforts of Mr Fahey and Mr Kiernan?
PM: Well, security is always difficult and I think what Michael Hleseltine said today
was pretty right. That is, its never possible to guarantee complete security In thase
circumstances but, as it turned out, the so-called attempt was really a political
demonstration and I think that's how it should be viewed.
J: Prime Minister, how did you interpret yesterday's speech by Prince Charles?
PM: I thought it was a very clear minded speech with a sort of confident detachment
where the Prince said, This is a debate, as the rcpublic,_ which Australians should
decide. And he said, For my part, I think this shows the signs of a mature and
confident country. In other words, For my part it's a good thing you are having
this debate it's a good thing for you that you arc having this debate. I think it's
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a very ci car stutentotit by a member of the royal family Niat the~ rcpiihlic iq, of
course, a inatter ( or Australian; mtnd that he, Prince Charic1, thinks thai a debate
like thir. rctflecfs our ec'nfidcncc and maturity. Arnd, com~ ing as It has, dirctly and
forthrightly from him, I think It is an Important vini~ tricoi ( u owui tional
political discussion.
3: Ts John I howard right though when he says that the Prnce wouldn't say anything
else, except that It Is up to Australians.
PM: John Howa. rd ' vIi always~ put the best construction on hiq W ( uitfh e caiSe. John
Howard would not be pieasceda tIhte notion that the Ilri= c thinks this debate is one
of a m., ikire Aincnnfidcnt country, That Is. John Howard docsnt want this dtlmwI
arnd he doesn't want us to be confident even irhu tiks wt aiw mhatuic.
Pritmi Ministci, the media have said that the speech actually reflected the Prince's
suppori for a republic. Do you interpret It as strongly as that?
PM: WCil, he's saying, I( think t1iii; an appropriate debate for a confident and mature
country to havc. He's said that direCtly, absollutely and lie said. It's a matter fur you
to make your mind up abom it.
J: M it's as far as heCango..
PM: 1 think. 11ts a twiwhi or confident dctaehxnent removod frorn the k. muc but Sivang
a wormldcat overview of the debatc. And, I think, we most appreciate that
comment from him.
J: How do you see that comment, though?
PM: As I've just said, I think it's a helpful contribution wo Australia's nalltonal discussion
ahu its idcntity and Its constitutional future.
j Do you chink his trip will suppoi the monarchists? Do you think they'll get a
iitsLt t0h is trip?
PM: Well, I don't think so and I don't think he mecan: it to be so. think he wraarm to
come hero, as ho always dercribes, himiself, as a friend of thist rnontry. % Amnconc
who has nevcr been at odds with its interest; amdc who cnmcsq hcre In a relaxed,
confident way. That's how twe mtn no come, that's how wc should reccivc him.
J: j% th ce-ministcrial reshuffle taking longer than what you first thought considering
that It's now... inaudihlc
PM: kNuoy. In'viact tjeurs tt ol iraLd~ motlvhce ra tnhdi ntghsu t'tso rdeoso. lvMedt . G rAifnfdit, h s1 i hwrese alellfyt tuhpe tmo imnief, i rnyo wso, tthoa dt ewciadse a. i
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J; Who will head up the independent inquiry?
PM: Again, I'm thinking about that but I have taken advice from the Commonwealth
police that I should se what the progress of their enquiries is before we set the
terms of rcforcncc.
J; My Keating. when are you likely to amnounce a ministerial inquiry?
PM: As I said, Il be guided by what the Commonwealth police say about this.
1: What do you think of the efforts of Mr Fahey and Mr Klernan helping tackle this
alleged assailant?
PM: I think it's something any person should do and they did it with alacrity and they're
to be complimented for that, commended for that. And they did it, of course, In
the service of a good friend of this country.
Ends.