PM Transcripts

TEL: 26. May. 94 16: 54 NO. 011 P. 01/; D1
PRIME MINISTER ~ 9
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MVP
THE DOWNER SHADOW MINISTRY
The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Downer, has failed his first test in the job by
announcing a frontbench larger than the Government's.
All his talk about having a commitment to smaller government is exposed as
humbug. The best he could do was to trim Dr Hewson's Gargantuan shadow
ministry down to 32 members still two more than the Government.
And so much for a " fresh start." His " new look" shadow ministry now includes
no fewer than three failed Leaders of the Opposition, and presumably the
tonew blood" is typified by the return to the frontbench of the former Fraser
Government minister John Moore.
The list of Shadow Ministers and Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries issued
by Mr Downer today includes a grand total of 45 people. That is, virtually
everyone who voted for Mr Downer last Monday, plus two presumably Dr
Hewson and Dr Wooldridge.
The ethnic community will also note with concern that Mr Downer has not
included Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in his Shadow Cabinet, relegating it
to the outer shadow ministry.
The appointment of Dr Hewson to the Industry portfolio will underwhelm many
in the business community, who withdrew their support for Dr Hewson so
pointedly last week. The car industry, for one, will not relish dealing with the
man who wanted to impose Fightback's zero tariff policy, thereby rendering
our motor vehicle Industry uneconomic and driving it offshore.
Mr Downer needs to try harder.
CANBERRA 26 MAY, 1994